Hope for our new kitten

[starbkjrus]

Hi All,

My wife and I have volunteered as foster parents for kittens, and until recently could maintain that detachment that it requires.

One of our newest kittens, Knuckles, has radial hyperdisplasia and polydactyly, and is a special needs kitten... We immediately bonded with him and have been inseparable all week.

After his routing vaccinations, he developed an upper respiratory infection and has not thrived as he should....

The shelter owner has taken him back today for a checkup, antibiotics, and X-rays (sometimes toes must be amputated with RH and polydactyly)

Our main concern is that she and the vet will decide that he may never thrive and have him euthanized.

For those of you with pets, you know what we must be feeling...

If you can, send positive thoughts to our kitten...

http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/...?petid=6343233

So WAY off topic that I'll try to yank it back when done.

We have a 12 year old Russian Blue / Gray Tabby mix that I adopted in 1995 off the street (neutered and de-clawed (not my choice)). He's a typical Russian B in that he's grumpy but really loving. When he's not happy he lets you know. I have the scars to prove it.

He does not like the car and is not really happy when boarded when we travel. I've thought about getting another cat to keep him company. Nine years ago when we first moved here we lived w/ my sis & bro-in-law and he got along with one of their two cats. The other is a rescue from non-weaned kitten stage and has never really gotten over it so there were issues. I'd like to get him a companion but have no idea how to even try it out. A kitten? Same sex, opposite sex?

Any ideas would be appreciated via PM.

Yyyyaaaaannnnkkkkkkk -->

Perhaps the kitty would like a wee kilt and dram of catnip?? Ok that was weak but I tried.

Seriously, PM me if any ideas

Happy thoughts to your kitten!

[Scott Gilmore]

We understand. Hang in there, beerbecue. Please keep us posted.

Regards,
Scott Gilmore

[GMan]

I commend both of you for your volunteering. These sort of stories always get to me in a good way. The joy that life brings us through their existence, is heartwarming.

My thoughts are with you all.

[smaughazard]

As a cat person, I wish the kitten all the best. One of the nicest cats I've ever known was a huge Maine Coon with what looked like double paws!

Ours even pose for portraits:


Miss Checkers- oil on canvas effect via Photoshop

[Scottish Chi]

Update:

Knuckles has an upper respiratory infection. We noticed the sneezing on Saturday, but today was the earliest he could get in..

He is currently under the care of the adoption agency, on antibiotics, and scheduled for x-rays this Friday.

Turns out that he was with this when he arrived at our house, and the symptoms did not present until almost a week later....

We are waiting to hear from the agency if we get to have him back or not....

The thing that sucks that if it was our cat, we would have had him in last week, and would not have waited for the agency.....

Here's hoping the meds kick in soon......

Once Knuckles is home (We're going to be positive about this) then please consider a few things to help reduce the upper respiratory problems.

We considered these things to be essential and easy to do. Removed all carpets and rugs (floors are tile or hardwood) except for the small one around their litter box for them to wipe their paws, use highest quality filters in the central heat/air unit, additional filters in the registers, replace these filters on a regular basis - maybe every three months, use Papurr litter (clumping but not clay - recycled paper but looks and feels like clay and is less dust), clean litter 2x/day, vaccum regularly with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter, use two large Honeywell HEPA filter units in the house. I would not omit any of these suggestions.

The bonus of this is that you will benefit from all the clean air too! Knuckles will appreciate the effort.

We will be waiting to hear good news when Knuckles is back home.

Cheers! Bill

[ckelly327]

We lost our two older cats this year. The 18 year old needed daily medicine orally to calm the pains from a tumor. The 15 year old needed IV's at least 4 times per week to keep her kidneys running. It's amazing what we'll do for our pets. We did adopt one cat since then from a local no kill agency. She's a beautiful domestic long hair who always wants to be in control. She decides when it's time to be petted and she'll decide when dinner time is.

Take good care of your kitty. She looks adorable. She'll be inour thoughts.

[longshadows]

These may be "off topic," but they show that a lot of these guys have more of a life than their kilts. It add a "dimensionality" to this board that is sometimes missing. To the extent we care about being a "community," such opportunities are welcomed.

Thanks for posting and good luck with the little fellow!

mp

[Robin]

Sorry to hear...let's hope for the best

I'm a cat person...they bring much joy and even when they're bad...they make me laugh...I love cats and I feel your worries.

All the best!

[pbpersson]

Hi All,

My wife and I have volunteered as foster parents for kittens, and until recently could maintain that detachment that it requires.

I would like to send my heartfelt thanks out to you and people like you who are foster parents. My one little guy is 6 years old now - he still acts like a little kitten - but when he was quite young he had ALL SORTS of medical problems and a foster mom helped him through those times.

Without that, he probably never would have made it and now he has the life he always deserved. This is Butterscotch:

http://members.cox.net/pbpersson/Butterscotch07.jpg

Then there is Jack, he was found wandering the desert. He had settled on a farm in the desert and was killing and eating their chickens at night to stay alive. He was captured by the farmer, rescued by this cat lady, and eventually he came to live with me.

http://members.cox.net/pbpersson/Jack01.JPG

All the cats I have had I found or had given to me because they were homeless. I just don't understand sometimes but I'm glad to have them in my life. I just wish I had a house so I could give more of these guys a happy home.

I hope everything works out okay for your little guy.

[starbkjrus]

- B - Q,

Any update on Knuckles? How's the little kitty doing?