Postpartum News

Momma and kittens resting
after a trip to the vet.

We didn't get to the vet until Tuesday because I was simply drained on Monday.  Being a midwife and kitten sitter takes a lot of energy!  I got a few hours sleep overnight, and took a naps on Monday when Callie wasn't needing attention.  Part of the time I was just to weak to get out of bed.  I've been so attentive to Callie and the kittens that I haven't been looking after myself, and on Monday I realized that I've been forgetting to eat on occasion and missed my vitamins for a couple of days.

I've come to realize that after she's been up to eat and use the litter box, she likes me to help her get situated  so that the kittens are snuggled in place.  There are times when she seems a little bewildered when they wriggle around.  She'll look at me as if to say, "I'm doing everything I can think of, why won't they calm down so I can sleep?"  I've been making sure to leave her alone more and more because I don't want her to become any more dependent on me than she already has.  She does just fine on her own, gently settling in over them, then laying on her side.  Mostly I just check in on her once in a while and maybe bring some fresh kibble.  I imagine she's been a little bored at times, though.

Momma's Feeding and Digestive Habits

Kitten #2 climbing Mt. Momma.

Callie was having diarrhea after her delivery, and I kept watch to make sure that she wasn't sick or feverish.  I gave her some of the powdered kitten milk replacement mixed in with oatmeal to help her replenish some fluids while giving her some bulk in her diet as well.  Her strength came back within several hours, and she was eating dry food moistened with either water or milk replacement.  It took me a while to get the hint (I thought she wanted more water when she was pawing at her water bowl), but now she's getting a separate bowl of non-fat dry milk supplemented with kitten replacement milk.  She verified that I got it right by drinking most of it right away, then getting back in bed with the kittens to snuggle.

However, momma cat's diarrhea is a sign that she has worms, which she does indeed. The night before she gave birth, my husband and I spotted one on her backside, so she is getting the worm medication she needs.  Through lactation, the kittens should be getting the medication as well.  I found this site to be very helpful on the subject. So much to do!

The Vet Visit

Kitten #1

Callie wasn't especially thrilled about going to the vet, so getting her in the carrier was a little more difficult than I had imagined.  I thought she'd go right in after I put the kittens in the carrier, but even then it took a little push.  Once she was partway in and saw the kittens, she went in a little more, making it possible to close the door.  I put the carrier in the birthing box and just brought the whole thing with me.  I figured that having something familiar from home would help her relax a bit, especially with the other animals there.  I think the vet appreciated having the box there so he could take her and the kittens into an area where they wouldn't feel so frightened.

Kitten #2

Callie was still pretty nervous, hearing dogs barking in the other parts of the clinic.  She did really well, in spite of what she probably considered quite the annoyance.  The vet checked her temperature and reassured me that she had come through the delivery just fine and that she was quite full of milk for lactating.  He also checked kitten #2 just to make sure there wasn't any sign of pneumonia, and there wasn't.  The only setback was having worms, and that isn't unusual for stray cats, especially after having kittens.  The clinic sent me home with a few doses of worm medication, and by the end of the week I expect they'll be doing fabulous.

Kitten #3

Overall, momma and kittens are doing well, and seem quite happy.  The kittens' eyes should open in the next couple of days, and I'm sure they will become quite a handful then.

Today's vet bill was roughly $40, not bad including the cost of worm medication. Thanks to our readers, we are able to get through these tough times.  In six weeks the kittens will need booster shots, and momma will need to be spayed as well.

P.S.  Kitten #4 (the stillborn) was a girl.  We decided to name her "Mittens," as in, "The Three Little Kittens".  It has been suggested that the others be named, "Bippity," "Boppity," and "Boo".