phoenix's health. help/advice please?

[kittycats_delight]

Cats are lactose intolerant so milk is not needed once weened. Mum's milk gives Phoenix all the nutrients & antibodies etc that she needs. So as for milk, kitten milk (kitten replacement milk) or any lactose free milk is not needed unless she comes home with you before 8 weeks old. I had a kitten we had to bottle feed as she came home with me at 5 weeks old because her mum wouldn't have any more to do with her or her brother.

First vaccinations are at 8 weeks old and usually 4 weeks later she will get her second round of vaccinations. She will be good then for 1 year. Spaying should be done at around 6 months. It is much better to spay before the first heat cycle. Spaying before the first heat cycle (usual at 6 months or so) will decrease (not eliminate) the chances of Phoenix getting certain types of cancer (mainly reproductive cancers like mammary cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer etc). There is a significant decrease in the chances, that being a decrease of about 50%.

Check out this
site for some info. There are many many more out there that will give you supporting information as well as additional information.

As for the hissing at your sister...Phoenix may need some more interaction with people. She could very well just be scared. Also as for Phoenix's mum chasing things that no one sees that isn't all that strange. She could just be bored. She is obviously used to coming and going and occupying herself in the great outdoors. That's a pretty big playground for a kitty so being confined & having to care for a baby is most likely a very boring venture for mum.

I am sure there is lots more to tell you but my mind is a muddle now so if I think of anything else I will post.

Oh, one thing. Do get her spayed whether you intend to let her out or not. It is better in so many ways some of which are in the link I provided. Try to spend some time with Phoenix as much as you can before she is ready to come home with you & maybe leave an old tshirt or something for her to get used to your scent.

[Phoenix]

Hello and thanks for your reply.

I saw Phoenix again tonight and she allowed me stroke her without hissing/spitting at me. I felt really privileged. I'm starting to wonder if the reason she does this is because her ear canal's are starting to open?

Phoenix was a bit early with developing as she opened her eyes around 7-8 days old. (Not sure if that actually is early but the first litters eyes opened a lot later) anyway she slightly reacts to noise which makes her do it. Another theory is that when my sister is out all the lights are off and it's dead silent (my sisters out a lot) so when she gets in Phoenix now has to adjust to the light and noise my sister creates upon returning. Don't know if this could be a reason? Also I thought as she has no litter mates which she once did she is literally alone.

Also mum doesn't sleep with her or sit in the box with her. Today she made her first noise but I noticed mum will talk to her and if she gets no response she walks up and checks her. If she gets a response she will lay down with Phoenix so she can feed which always results is Phoenix passing out in deep sleep. She's out like a light. Mum can sense when she is falling asleep (probably stops suckling) and jumps out and sleeps on the floor facing the box.

Could the fact that mum don't sleep with her make her a bit more scared? She is 12 days old tomorrow but mum does watch her like a hawk.

I was thinking about getting her spayed regardless but could she die when she goes under? As I was told if she does survive she could be a sickly kitty (which may or may not be the case).

I was also thinking about adopting another kitten so she has some company, would this be okay? I'm going to call the vet either tomorrow or monday to book her injections and will fire away questions at the vet so I'm not constantly asking on here.

As you may have noticed, I'm someone that has to be the best at what I do, okay isn't good enough for me... I have to be brilliant at it, so getting it right the first time round is a big deal for me.

I will post pics of phoenix soon when I figure out how to.

[kittycats_delight]

It would be great to get a second kitty for company. Many of us often suggest getting 2 kittens instead of 1. Be warned they will get into more mischief together than alone but they are constantly entertaining and will make you laugh & smile to no end.

7-8 days is early for opening the eyes. Eyes normally open between 10-14 days. Just because she is the only survivor doesn't mean she will be sickly. Usually when there is a litter and only one survives it is because that 1 is a fighter & stronger.

There is always a risk with anesthesia whether it is a cat, dog, other animal or human. It is never 100% risk free. Ask you vet if they do pre-surgery blood work. Most vets do & it lets them know if she will be at a higher risk than others. It is very rare for something to happen under anesthesia. I have known only 1 person that it happened with and it wasn't because something went wrong. It was because they found a large inoperable tumor & the cat was really ill. This was an older cat as well. I have had 2 very skinny feral cats spayed with no issue. Both had given birth 2 weeks before the surgery. They are both happy & healthy & living inside with NO desire to go out at all.

Talk to you vet. Inundate her with questions. They are professionals and are there to help you make an informed decision & to make the best decision regarding your cat. Also, keep asking us questions here. Between the members here, some of which have been rescuing for years and others who have special needs cats, have a font of information to help. They have countless years of experience dealing with things from the simple to the most complex that you can imagine.

We are here to help if we can & do it gladly. Let us know what you vet says ok.

Michelle

BTW...I have a Phoenix too.

[moosmom]

You might want to give her goat's milk! My cats LOVE it and it's totally lactose free. It's good for them, with lots of calories and nutrients.

You can get it powdered at any pet store, or at a farm that has goats.

You got some GREAT advice here. Nothing else I could add. Don't ever apologize for asking questions. There are a lot of knowledgeable people on here. Welcome!!

[Phoenix]

Hiya,

My sister once brought two kittenss that were both female she called shekerah and shekana and my sister said they were really really bad so she gave them away. About a year or two later she got another cat (Phoenix's mum) who's called Princess and her first litter was a litter of 3, one pure black, one ginger and another black and white and my sisters friend took two the kittens together (I sexed them all as boys and am correct). This girl who took two kittens say's they are really really bad together and I was thinking about taking one of them but not too long after princess was pregnant and I decided to wait.

I have the patience for animals were as they both have not.

Yes the vet said she could be very sickly, but then we did go to a pet hospital that relys on donations to keep it running which you don't have to pay for, so they will see your animal and give you medication if needed for free and you can choose to donate or not. So maybe the treatment you get there reflects the payment they get. When I was worrying about Phoenix they said they can't do anything for kittens. If she was going to die then they can't do anything and said 'its just a waiting game with kittens'. Apparently. You cannot do anything for kittens but can for cats. I found that a bit strange. But didn't argue as they are the vets.

I will fire questions at the vet and if I don't like the possible outcome or they can't do a test before I will re-think.

Princess drinks Goat's milk but didn't understand why they can drink that but not cow's milk? Does cows milk contain something Goats doesn't? Or is Goats just more Gentle?

You see I myself don't Drink or eat any dairy so I wouldn't know much about it.

P.S - michelle I remember looking on the past posts before I signed up and your blinking picture come up with Phoenix. I was glad to see someone else with the name as everyone thinks I'm crazy using it. I thought given the circumstances it would be perfect as the vet said she would die the next night as all 3 of her litter mates died and she survived and I believe that because all of us are wishing she survives she is getting the wishes/luck.

It would be great to get a second kitty for company. Many of us often suggest getting 2 kittens instead of 1. Be warned they will get into more mischief together than alone but they are constantly entertaining and will make you laugh & smile to no end.

7-8 days is early for opening the eyes. Eyes normally open between 10-14 days. Just because she is the only survivor doesn't mean she will be sickly. Usually when there is a litter and only one survives it is because that 1 is a fighter & stronger.

There is always a risk with anesthesia whether it is a cat, dog, other animal or human. It is never 100% risk free. Ask you vet if they do pre-surgery blood work. Most vets do & it lets them know if she will be at a higher risk than others. It is very rare for something to happen under anesthesia. I have known only 1 person that it happened with and it wasn't because something went wrong. It was because they found a large inoperable tumor & the cat was really ill. This was an older cat as well. I have had 2 very skinny feral cats spayed with no issue. Both had given birth 2 weeks before the surgery. They are both happy & healthy & living inside with NO desire to go out at all.

Talk to you vet. Inundate her with questions. They are professionals and are there to help you make an informed decision & to make the best decision regarding your cat. Also, keep asking us questions here. Between the members here, some of which have been rescuing for years and others who have special needs cats, have a font of information to help. They have countless years of experience dealing with things from the simple to the most complex that you can imagine.

We are here to help if we can & do it gladly. Let us know what you vet says ok.

Michelle

BTW...I have a Phoenix too.

[kittycats_delight]

I have 2 litter mates myself now. They are 7 months old. They are into everything but they are so much fun & so funny. The bigger of the 2 a male is a complete lover. The second you touch him he is purring like a motor. His sister, the smaller one, is a lover when she wants to be but she is wild wild wild. We are forever telling her to get down cause she climbs everything. She is always on top of the cabinets, closets, and even to the top of the curtains. She talks and talks and talks. I had Pirate (the male) neutered about 3 weeks ago and Opera (the female) is going in to be spayed on December 5th (my birthday nonetheless). I had their mum spayed a few months back and she is now living in her new home with her 'boy' (a little boy of 4) & is completely at home, relaxed & happy. I have Bella & Frost who are mother and son. Bella was abandoned in the corn fields near our house and by the time I got her to trust me she was already pregnant. I had both of them altered as well. No issues at all. I have never ever had an issue with spaying or neutering an animal. While, yes, I worry when they go to get altered, I don't ever think twice about getting it done. After going through mammary cancer with a my Mytzi years ago I would never want to chance that again. I was terrible.

I don't know what the vets were referring to with not being able to help kittens. That is utter nonsense. You just need to ask some of the folks here. There are some people here who have nursed kittens are did anything and everything possible for them from the time they were born. (mom rejected them or there just wasn't a mom for some reason or other) I would say if this one vet says they don't do pre surgery tests then call another. Get more than 1 opinion is always best.

We named our kitty Phoenix for somewhat the same reason. We got Phoenix when she was 3. She had been taken from an abusive home. She has scars are her face from getting kicked & she has major trust & abandonment issues too. She can 'snap' pretty quick but she is 150% better than when we brought her home. It took a long time to be able to touch her without gloves and an even longer time to be able to pick her up. She is still spitty & bitey on occasion and you have to really watch her body language or she will tag you if she is in a bad mood but she is another cat than the one we brought home. When we gave her another chance at a home we said she was like the phoenix being reborn from the ashes only in her case it was being reborn into a life without fear & abuse so that's how she got her name.

Time for me to shut up. As you can see I can go on and on. hehehhe

Keep us posted on what happens with the vets & any new developments with your baby.

Michelle

[Phoenix]

For those of you that are interested in what Phoenix looks like I have attached two pictures of her, they both show her life as it is now. Sleeping (always on her side curled up or back if mums there. And mum cleaning her just before feeding (has to be before feeding because after feeding Phoenix goes into a deep sleep).

I will see what Phoenix is like alone before I think of adding another kitten as I know some times they like to be alone.

I thought the vet saying nothing can be done for kittens was strange as I remember the last vet I worked in had a kitten there with neuro problems.

I was once bitten by one of the Feral cats at my previous vet job who had FIV. He was fine one minute, allowed me to pet him then her suddenly turnt and lashed out. I waited for him to calm down before petting him again to say it's okay. I know how temper mental animals can be.

I also have a female Dogue de Bordeaux we had from a puppie, she is 7 now and has had health problems after the other and she is also very temper mental, and can be aggressive around food so I'm somewhat use to temper mental pets.

[kittycats_delight]

She is beautiful!!! She looks quite healthy too. Nice round tummy. Clear, bright eyes. Those photos definitely induced an 'AWWWWWW' moment!!!

One thing to add but I am sure you know this anyway. If your dog can be aggressive around her food make sure you keep the kitty away when it is the dog's feeding time. I would suggest closing Phoenix in another room until your dog is finished or closing your dog in a room with her food until she is done. Best to avoid anything happening if she is food aggressive.