02/12/2024
Have you ever wondered what it's like to rescue cats and kittens? It sounds like lots of fun and generally it is. Once you get over middle of the night feedings and constant kitten pooh it really can be lots of fun; and there's no denying kittens are all adorable. And it's rewarding in it's own way, especially when you have a success. Today's story is about one of those successes which came with a lot of loss and education.
Back last summer we trapped a pregnant cat at Fricker's restaurant and started a journey so difficult it's taken me until now to get back to posting. Fricker - our rescued mama - was pretty easy going considering she was a long term stray. On July 6th she presented us with a litter of 5 kittens but I can't show you pictures of the cuddly crew. Immediately after delivering Fricker began to sneeze followed soon after by the smallest of the litter also beginning to sneeze. The vet examined everyone and none of us found any cause for concern until 2 days later when two more kittens began sneezing. Antibiotics were prescribed for the kittens but not Fricker who had stopped sneezing by then. Since the antibiotic passes through her milk giving Fricker antibiotics would have double dosed the little ones and in any case it's best to use drugs sparingly and only when really needed.
Fricker and the kittens were moved to my house for around the clock care and our months long nightmare began. Three of the 5 kittens were now sick and while we didn't know it at the time they suffered from severe feline herpes which Fricker had passed on to them. If you're a cat person you're likely familiar with herpes as a disease which causes gunky eyes or a little cold. It's no big deal; or so we thought. In reality feline herpes is a terrible disease with no cure and some deadly symptoms. The kittens quickly became anorexic and with their little noses clogged they could not find mama's ni***es to nurse. We began supplemental feeding which turned into a struggle to get any nourishment at all into them. They did not want to eat, could only breathe through their mouths and timing syringe feeding to their breathing was critical so as not to risk drowning them or aspiration pneumonia. The smallest, Bourbon Molasses was the first to leave us and after several weeks of struggling he was followed by his sister Teriyaki. (They were all named after Fricker's restaurant wing sauces.) By this time we had gone through two courses of the first antibiotic and half way through the second drug with nothing seeming to help. Sweet Chili was the only remaining kitten of those who had gotten sick and he now required a third antibiotic, a second type of eye ointment and nose drops as well as using a bulb syringe to try and clear out his nose.
While his litter mates, Chipolte and Honey Mustard, progressed normally Chili's eyes did not open and he didn't begin to play. Believe me, there's nothing sadder or more stressful than a sick, blind kitten. Chili didn't give up though and neither did we. Not through three more types of antibiotics and not when one of his eyes finally opened only to become infected with corneal ulcers and finally a rupture. And our vet, oh my gosh, the woman is wonderful! She was here asap for each new issue and tried everything she could to help save little Chili. Nasty, stinging eye drops saved his vision even though it was a literal fight twice a day to apply them. He began to eat on his own and finally even play with this litter mates although he was way behind normal kitten development.
Honey Mustard and Chipolte seemed unphased by the disease although Chipolte did develop a gagging cough which affected her off and on. Fricker headed off to the Humane Society to be spayed and eventually adopted and the three kittens followed soon after. By now Chili had been on five different antibiotics and four different eye medicines and he was still sick. Tom and I wondered who would adopt a sick kitten or worse, that someone would adopt him, get tired of the constant illness and toss him out. Without proper care Chili would have lost his sight and been alone and blind and sick in a scary outdoor world. So yeah, you know I adopted him, right? LOL
Likely the medical staff at the Humane Society think I'm a bit crazy and I fought for that kitten from the start. He stayed there a week before they were able to examine his eyes. Unfortunately it was found his second eye couldn't be saved and would need to be removed. That kind of surgery takes time and it couldn't be scheduled right away so I begged, pleaded and insisted that Chili be allowed to come home while waiting. He missed Thanksgiving with us and the next day they operated removing both his bad eye and his 'trouble nuggets' the next day. We waited a week before he was allowed to come home and then struggled for three weeks with an active kitten confined by a surgery cone. He was now a still sick but active and happy kitten who didn't know he was sick and didn't know he should have two eyes.
Little Bean aka Be**er, Beanie and Eeny Weeny Chili Beanie is spoiled rotten, chubby, happy and sprays snot everywhere. All the antibiotics have his digestive system really messed up and he suffers constant diarrhea. Well, he doesn't suffer, the rest of us do. Rescuing and fostering kittens means you need to put up with a lot of p**p, literally. When Beanie has sneezing fits he leaks, to put it politely. To put it impolitely he shoots runny p**p out of his butt. Shoots. A fair distance. LOL He will always need regular vet care, antibiotics, supplements, careful monitoring and make messes requiring extra cleaning and laundry. But saving him has been so worth it. He's happy, living his best life, and alive.
Fricker, Honey Mustard and Chipolte have all been adopted into happy furever homes and while I'm still sad for the two we lost you can't rescue and foster kittens, or any animal, without some occasional or even all too frequent losses. As Tom likes to say, "you can't save them all". To those who wonder what rescuing is a like; it's exhausting, elating, heart breaking and death defying but in the end worth all the bad for those moments like Beanie.
And, it perhaps can serve a greater purpose. Anyone out there in need of a vet? I can't say enough good about Dr. Katie at Flag City Mobile Vet. Have friends who think the Humane Society is evil and kills animals needlessly? Tell them Sweet Chili's story. They could have easily euthanized Chilli rather than spend the time and money on him. They're good people doing a really difficult job and their vet care from Dr. Mather and Stephanie is excellent. So maybe spread the word that they're not the killing center they are often portrayed as being.
And finally, we've got kittens on the way! A fellow rescuer dropped off a pregnant cat who will present us with cute balls of fluff shortly. She hates us so we can't examine her to see when she might deliver and hopefully the kitten gods will smile and her litter will be the health kittens we're more used to. Maybe you'll even get to see pictures posted here but while you wait. Here's Fricker and her surviving crew from when they left us for the Humane Society. And of course, one of Beanie now.
