Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Kitten scare


First, I will tell you everyone is OK now.

But one of the difficult things about being a kitten foster mom is health scares.  I've had to put down two kittens in my care in the last year.  Both events were things I could not have prevented or foreseen.  Kittens are tiny.  And they have health problems sometimes.  And so, I do the best I can...and hope for the best as well.

Two days ago, Violet (our little Siamese/white kitten), started limping and favoring a front paw.  We weren't sure if she twisted an ankle, slept on it funny, or endured a bite from a little friend.  We decided to keep an eye on her until the morning.

Well, yesterday morning, she felt warm, and she was kind of groggy, but maybe putting more weight on her foot, and I just wasn't sure.  So, I went to work and told Graham to check on Violet throughout the day and give me updates.  

By two o'clock, he said she seemed really out of it, and I rushed home.  Graham and I took her to the vet who said she was a little dehydrated and constipated and running a fever.  And her leg joint was tender.  What she figured had happened to Violet was a not-uncommon joint infection (these can come in from the belly button at birth and hang out for a while...and then go for the joints.)  The infection made her run a little fever.  The fever made her dehydrated.  And the dehydration made it tough for her to go number two.

They gave that little girl a tiny kitten enema, some vitamins, some oral lubricant/laxative stuff, and an antibiotic.  And I am happy to report that today, she is doing much better, eating well, getting around better, and seeming more like her old self.

Life is precious!


18 comments:

dixiesamplar said...

Oh my, how scary!! So glad she is all better now...and has such a caring human mommy & daddy :o)
She is such a beautiful little girl.

Elizabeth said...

She's so adorable! If I lived closer I'd come and grab that one and say pooh to my husband.

natalysneedle said...

Oh I feel for you!! We recently lost a foster kitten and they decline sooo quickly. I felt terrible but his illness was irreversable and hereditary. I am so happy she is doing better. Hugs and kisses to sweet Violet!

Daffycat said...

*gasp* Too tiny to be sick. Poor wee cheetie.

Anonymous said...

I hope the kitten continues to improve. She is adorable~~

Melody said...

So glad to hear she is doing well now. She is such a cutie, but then I am partial to siamese. (We have 2).

So happy she has you to watch over her.

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

Thank you for sharing--you are a wonderful cat Mother!

We have a rescue kitty--and she gave us a health scare this weekend. Am so thankful our stories have happy endings (beginnings)

SharoninStitches said...

Prettiest face I've ever seen on a kitty. and you are just about the best person I know!! (let me know when you run for President, you still have my vote!)

P.J. said...

Bless her heart. She is such a sweet pea, so glad she has you and your family watching over her.

Stitching Noni said...

Poor little baby! So good to hear that she is on the mend now but can imagine how scary it was. She is so tiny and so cute... :o)

Maggee said...

I LOVE hearing about the kittens, and so glad to hear the scare is over for Violet! She has one of the sweetest faces! Hugs!

Lynn said...

I love reading your blog. Im so happy to hear the little furball is doing better. It really breaks my heart to hear when they are sick. She is adorable I wish I lived close to come and adopt her. I really admire you for what you do.Your an angel.
Lynn and Mabel (my little furbaby)

Chris said...

So glad that this little peanut is ok. What a sweetie!

Bikegirl said...

That little poppet is the cutiest thing I have ever seen! I wish I could take her home!!!

Anja said...

Thank you for the first sentence!
When I saw this beautiful,beautiful face, I thought that something sad had happened. I am so glad to hear that she feels better.
Liebe Grüße aus Deutschland von Anja

krayolakris said...

Violet is my favorite....oh my that was scary!

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Of all the kitties you've shared, I would take Violet in a moment. I even believe Pixie would love her. She is so lucky to have you as her caregiver! Give her a nuzzle for me, won't you?

Lynn said...

Poor little Violet! I hope that she continues to improve. She is just about the cutest kitten I've ever seen. I could lose myself in her eyes!