kittensFTW

07/12/2023

There's a real dog heavy contest going on at

Sunflower is a former colony cat, found as a 4 week old runt, when her mom brought her to a local nursery owner and then disappeared. She wasn't supposed to find her forever home so quickly, but she settled in with the resident toddler and, honestly, could never have belonged anywhere else.

She spends her days socializing foster kittens and bullying foster dogs.



Vote for me https://goodcharlie.me/billboardcontest

07/12/2023

There's a real dog heavy contest going on at

Sunflower is a former colony cat, found as a 4 week old, when her mom brought her to a local nursery owner and then disappeared. She wasn't supposed to find her forever home so quickly, but she settled in with the resident toddler and, honestly, could never have belonged anywhere else.

She spends her days socializing foster kittens and bullying foster dogs.



Vote for me https://goodcharlie.me/billboardcontest

07/02/2023

Steve on his first roadtrip

06/22/2023

Long day, but a good day

DFW Orphan Kitten Hub

https://venmo.com/u/Weston-Hogan

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/kittensftw

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2VK047SXWSH94?ref_=wl_share

https://m.facebook.com/groups/528184189015245/permalink/787522503081411/?ref=share&mibextid=DcJ9fc

05/30/2023

05/14/2023

Fading kitten protocol

05/12/2023

🥳

05/02/2023

Last week I shared about a sick little kitten named Von Dutch. I didn’t share more about him because my optimism regarding his case was fading, and I didn’t want to burden everyone with an uncertain and sad story. But I do want to update you and let you know that unfortunately after 7 challenging days of supportive care, he was not responsive to treatment and continued to worsen, and it was kindest to humanely let him go.

These decisions are never easy, but I take comfort in knowing that he was given the best chance possible, and that he will leave behind a real legacy through his contribution to research.

As you may know, my nonprofit Orphan Kitten Club has an ethical research program, and this year we are kicking off a multi-year Failure to Thrive study in partnership with UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Kittens entered into this study are neonates who have received at least 72 hours of proper husbandry and supportive care, but who have still passed naturally or required humane euthanasia. Through necropsy & histopathology, this study examines the (many) root causes of failure to thrive, and will report on trends and findings.

Von Dutch’s remains are entered in this study and have been examined. While some symptoms of disease were evident prior to his passing (severe upper respiratory infection and inflammation, ulceration of the tongue likely due to calicivirus, secondary bacterial pneumonia), his preliminary report also shows thymus atrophy & middle ear infection. We will learn more soon.

Von Dutch was a sweet kitten who loved to be pet. He is survived by his mama Kitson and his two siblings, one of whom has some similar symptoms but is stable. We will remember him as we care for them, and honor his memory through research.

People commonly say that some kittens “have fading kitten syndrome” and “just pass.” This isn’t true. Every kitten who isn’t thriving is sick for a reason. We can discover those trends through scientific inquiry and hopefully, someday, improve outcomes for kittens through what we learn. I’m proud that our organization can spearhead the quest for pediatric knowledge & I am grateful to our donors who make that possible.

You can honor Von Dutch through a charitable contribution at this link:

orphankittenclub.org/donate ❤️

04/29/2023

In theory... it should always be so simple... make sure the cat is hungry by holding back the prior meal... set a trap with yummy food... 10 minutes later the cat is securely in the trap and covered. Easy-peasy. Right????

04/28/2023

Support TNR (Trap/Neuter/Return) and save the lives of homeless cats in Carrollton, TX

04/26/2023

It's ! When bottle-feeding kittens, it's absolutely crucial to position them correctly. Picture how kittens nurse on their mom: lying on their bellies, paws resting against Mom's body, heads facing forward. NEVER feed a kitten on his back, NEVER hold a kitten in the air while feeding, and NEVER tip a kitten's head back while feeding. Any of these "don'ts" can cause aspiration — inhaling formula into the lungs — which can quickly kill a kitten. Instead, imitate Mom by giving the kitten a level surface to lie on, belly-down, paws resting on your hand, with the bottle at a level where he can suckle without tilting his head back.