After a crazy 48 hours, it looks like Nora is doing better!

Nora's blood test came back completely normal. No sign of elevated white blood cells, so no infection-yet. Also, since her regular Dr. (Dr. Larry) could see her, he brought up a good point-that she often has a high temperature when she is stressed out. She was STRESSED being in the car (doing a weird mix of meow and growl while I drove) and being at the Vet. Her temps were 103.9, 103.7, 103.5 and 104. Her paw pads were sweating, her ears HOT, she panted a bit.

That said, Nora got sub-Q fluids, just in case her fever wasn't stress related and she's on Baytril for a bit. She was also put on a wicked non-steroidal pain killer, that until recently was only approved for use in Dogs. It's called Metacam and I can only give it to Nora for 4 days, that's it. I need to read about this medication. It must be rather intense! It seems to have helped because shortly after she got her "loading" dose, she was ambling about much better.

Yesterday Nora seemed afraid or unable to walk over the side of her cat bed to get her breakfast. I didn't realize anything was terribly wrong until I got home from work last night. I found Nora on the floor, rocking, unable to stand. I tried to coax her with food and she was able to sort-of stand, but her right front leg was off the ground, her paw curved back towards her body. She quickly laid back down.

I looked at the time. It was almost 7pm. In a panic, I thought it was Monday and my Vet was only open to 5pm, but I called anyway. Thankfully, it wasn't Monday, DUH!, and they were open 'til 7pm. I told dear-Jessica, the Vet Tech, what was going on and she said to bring Nora in right away.

Nora is not a tiny cat. I got her to lose about 3 pounds so far, but she still weighs 21 pounds. The only cat carrier within arms length, was a small one with a towel in it, so I pulled the towel and managed to get her inside the carrier, trying not to hurt her further.

The kittens are just over three weeks old now and are doing well, though I'm still worried about the small size of the black kitten named, Elmo. He weighs a pound, looks fragile, but the little guy is curious and a bit playful with his siblings. He's quiet most of the time, but will cry a bit if I hold him for too long.

I'm trapped at work. Long hours this week. I just want to go home and play with the kittens and bathe, alongside them, in the golden sunshine.

More soon, I hope!

It is with a heavy heart, I bring sad news.

One of the foster kittens in our program passed away yesterday. He was one of five kittens born to GiGi just four weeks ago. Although things seemed all right in the first weeks, over time, the little fellow didn't grow the way his siblings did. He remained quite small and before we could intervene, he slipped away into the ether during the night.

I realize that this is part of doing animal rescue. Not every single cat who comes to us will have a happy ending with a perfect family. There have been plenty of sleepless nights, over many different health crises. Luckily, many times things go well, but the times when it does not, those are the ones that stick with you.

I had to leave work early, I was so upset. Maybe I'm a big baby, but it really hit me to find out he died. I realized I took the only photos of him, when I saw them a few weeks ago. I wondered which kitten had died, but I was too scared to know. I just saw them about two weeks ago.

Once I got home and had a good cry, I went up to see my own foster kittens. One of them blew a bubble out of his nostril! They're all sneezing, but they all have good weight, are starting to play, and seem to be all right. I called our Vet and got some suggestions, but for now I have to watch them and wait. I'm on pins and needles with worry. They're going to be three weeks old tomorrow, no where near out-of-the-woods.

I think it's going to be a long few weeks of worrying.

Let's take a moment to think kind thoughts for a little black kitten whose life was cut cruelly short and who, I hope, will be reborn and come back to us again soon.

Rest in Peace, dear one. Rest in Peace.

Admit it. This hurts it's so cute!

Day 15.
Eyes open.
Ears starting to perk up.

Belly remains TOO CUTE!

Follow the story of this and other kittens!
Visit my Foster Cat Diary! for more.

I got me some new foster kitties—WOO! They were born on March 14, 2008 (aka, Pi Day)

—a gorgeous feral Mama (not pictured yet) and three teenie-weenie babies!

What should their names be? Leave a comment here with your suggestions!

Kitten Season is in Full Bloom!

On March 11th our foster, Gigi gave birth to FIVE healthy kittens! The photo below was taken just 10 days after they were born. Yeah, the photo is a bit dark. I did what I could. If you look closely you can see them squirming or nursing on their kindly Mama. She's truly marvelous with her young ones.

Next week, I'll begin chronicling my time with my newest foster, Mama-cat. She gave birth on Pi Day (March 14th) to three kittens. I don't know anything more about them than that, but I'm already reading up on setting up a proper nesting box, how to keep the room nice and warm for the babies, what to feed mama and so on. I have their room all ready to go and I can't wait to meet them. I've never fostered kittens younger than four weeks old, so this will all be new and wonderful.

Of course, I'll be posting LOTS of pix on my Flickr pages, as well as a few shots here.

I'll also take suggestions for naming the kittens, once they're here. I'm thinking about giving them names like; Apple, Rhubarb, Pumpkin. ;-)