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Siwsan

(27,291 posts)
Tue Aug 15, 2023, 12:10 PM Aug 2023

I had an amazing experience, this morning. Amazing and nearly tragic. (kind of long)

Another cat brought her babies to one of my shelters. Then, one morning, she started moving them. I thought, well, that’s fine. Well, she moved them beneath the non-running John Deere lawn tractor. I know that sounds weird but she’s not the first to do that.

Flash forward to last night. Since we were due for rain, I tried to make sure that mama and her babies had a dry place to go, in case we got a drenching rain.

This morning I went out, between rain showers, to see if any of the ferals were around. I heard a LOUD distressed meow and saw 3 of the kittens, drenched to the bone. There was no sign of their mother. I grabbed them up and brought them inside. Then I went out to look for the 4th one - the ‘runt’ of the litter. I saw him and my heart sank. He was stretched out, not moving. I was sure he was dead. I picked him up, he was cold. I had to try, though, so I started briskly rubbing his belly, chest and back and within about a minute I saw movement. I rushed him inside, dried him off as best I could and then ran for the heating pad. He couldn’t hold up his head or move his legs. But he was breathing.

It took a while but between the heating pad and me holding him next to my heart, his core temperature went back up and he became much more active. I didn’t leave his side and constantly checked to make sure he was still breathing.

After about another hour I looked down and he was up and walking. He took in some milk and pate and then curled up with his siblings for some rest. (The siblings were all wet but other than that, just fine.)

I finally saw their mother and took one of the kittens out to her. She ignored it and the kitten ran, frantically meowing, back to me. I’ll put them out later this afternoon and watch to see what happens. Hopefully their mom will step up but if she doesn’t, they will be taken care of. Honestly, I can’t imagine why she abandoned them during that kind of weather!

Now I'm going to pour myself some fine Welsh whisky and cuddle with my indoor babies. They've been very patient with the situation.

17 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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I had an amazing experience, this morning. Amazing and nearly tragic. (kind of long) (Original Post) Siwsan Aug 2023 OP
Oh my. You are their guardian angel. One never knows what happens. Maybe the mother was traumatized Raven123 Aug 2023 #1
Give mom some credit AnnaLee Aug 2023 #2
No. She's been such a good mom, too. Siwsan Aug 2023 #4
Oh GOODNESS!!! elleng Aug 2023 #3
In addition to the rubbing and heating pad, add karo syrup to your protocol. I keep a bottle in the Karadeniz Aug 2023 #5
I've got some! Siwsan Aug 2023 #6
BLESS YOU. fierywoman Aug 2023 #7
Thank you for your posts arkielib Aug 2023 #8
I look daily for Siwsan's updates. I am Polly Hennessey Aug 2023 #9
Penderyn Whisky Siwsan Aug 2023 #12
I shall buy some and drink in you and kittens honor. 😇 Polly Hennessey Aug 2023 #14
👆🏻👆🏻 onecaliberal Aug 2023 #17
You are the neighborhood kitteh guardian angel. CousinIT Aug 2023 #10
These cats know all about you! 2naSalit Aug 2023 #11
You are a person of compassion, thank you for your kindness. republianmushroom Aug 2023 #13
You... ❤️ Duppers Aug 2023 #15
Good stuff. Enjoy your whiskey. n/t iluvtennis Aug 2023 #16

AnnaLee

(1,157 posts)
2. Give mom some credit
Tue Aug 15, 2023, 12:14 PM
Aug 2023

Maybe she wants you to take them, recognizing that you can care for them better than she does during storms. Is she a first-time mother?

Siwsan

(27,291 posts)
4. No. She's been such a good mom, too.
Tue Aug 15, 2023, 12:20 PM
Aug 2023

I found her, this morning, in another shelter that is very close to where the kittens were meowing. Mom was dry. I'm so perplexed.

I think I'm still processing this experience. Especially since it comes the day after I found Lush, hit by a car.

Karadeniz

(23,424 posts)
5. In addition to the rubbing and heating pad, add karo syrup to your protocol. I keep a bottle in the
Tue Aug 15, 2023, 12:30 PM
Aug 2023

fridge. Just a fingertip-ful spread on their tongue. Congratulations on saving a life !!!

Siwsan

(27,291 posts)
6. I've got some!
Tue Aug 15, 2023, 12:37 PM
Aug 2023

It was so cute when he realized what I was trying to get in his mouth was milk (goat milk). I have no idea when these kittens had last eaten. They are just at the age where mom would be starting to wean them.

It is an amazing feeling. I am sure had I found them even a few minutes later, he wouldn't have survived. When I reunited him with his sisters, one of them started licking his face. It was so sweet.

arkielib

(358 posts)
8. Thank you for your posts
Tue Aug 15, 2023, 12:49 PM
Aug 2023

and for taking care of all the furbabies. I watch daily for your updates. You are a wonderful person with a big heart!

Polly Hennessey

(7,458 posts)
9. I look daily for Siwsan's updates. I am
Tue Aug 15, 2023, 01:30 PM
Aug 2023

thankful we have you Siwsan. You help us as much as you help the kittens. There is such a thing as Welsh whiskey? Who knew.

Siwsan

(27,291 posts)
12. Penderyn Whisky
Tue Aug 15, 2023, 02:10 PM
Aug 2023

It is pretty wonderful but also pretty expensive. I received a bottle as a gift and have a small glass only on very special occasions.

2naSalit

(92,732 posts)
11. These cats know all about you!
Tue Aug 15, 2023, 02:05 PM
Aug 2023

But it's good you were dialed in on their presence and found them in time. Good on you!

I saw the picture earlier.

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