Tetsab
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Post by Tetsab on Mar 9, 2012 7:57:43 GMT
In that case, I imagine that all is now well. How many kits all told, Sam?
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Tetsab
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Post by Tetsab on Mar 9, 2012 7:31:56 GMT
Now I've had a chance to think, I'm wondering whether it would be a good idea to bring her a bowl of water + food and litter (so she has access to those if she wants/needs them) and possibly allow her to have the bedroom to herself & the kits for a day or so. You've mentioned that your other cat isn't best pleased (hissing) which has set me thinking it could be a good idea to keep the other one away from your new mum and the tinies for a short while.
Your other cat's nose is likely to be pretty well out of joint anyway in the short term so that would allow 'mum' a bit of time when she won't feel she has to look out for the other one coming too close to her babies. The kittens won't be moving around to climb out of the box at all for the first few days, eyes will start to open around day 5 and it's usually about a week before any will try exploring anything beyond their box. Mum takes care of all wastes so there's no need for you to change the towel or anything unless it has got a bit soggy during the course of the birth - it may not have done.
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Tetsab
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Post by Tetsab on Mar 9, 2012 7:07:34 GMT
I'd let her complete the birth and settle with them after each has been washed and fed before any thought of handling in order to move them. She may want a sleep then, too and if so I'd leave her undisturbed for a while.
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Tetsab
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Post by Tetsab on Mar 9, 2012 7:05:59 GMT
OOOOOOOEEEEEEE!!!!! Kittens!!!!!!
Wonderful news, thanks for letting us know Sam.
(We will of course want piccies once you are allowed - pretty please!!)
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Tetsab
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Post by Tetsab on Mar 9, 2012 5:58:03 GMT
It is truly remarkable how unfussed cats seem to be about pregnancy and giving birth compared to humans. They very rarely have any problems even when they are very young as your young lady is. If she's still playing and dashing about with as much enthusiasm as that she must be feeling well and fit which is extremely good to hear.
Has she been looking around for somewhere to nest, yet? Selection of somewhere safe and cosy to give birth doesn't always occur until shortly before it happens but you might spot her her checking out prospective locations. We used to provide 'possibles' like a wooden box with an old soft towel in but it didn't always work - sometimes "in amongst the shoes at the bottom of a wardrobe" or similar ended up being chosen instead!
You're probably right to be worried about anything she might regard as prey, too - being presented with small dead rodents (or even worse, still live ones!) can really take the shine off the day, and as for the occasions when they nab a bird... then don't understand why you're so cheesed off with them... !!
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Tetsab
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Post by Tetsab on Mar 9, 2012 3:57:32 GMT
Hi Scylla! Yes, it was wonderful being there - this thread's got me all 'broody' for kittens, it was a long time ago now.
Never felt the slightest bit broody over human babies (or any desire to have one, either!) but kittens are a whole different thing, I just turn to goo even thinking about them. They are such an utter delight to have around. When people turned up to collect them to go to their new homes and offered money, I always said they should spend whatever they might have given me on the kittens. I'd had the pure pleasure of seeing them grow from birth until they were ready to go and that was more than enough reward.
Is your little girl getting bulgy now, Sam? As young cats tend to be very slender the bulges get quite noticeable before they arrive, and sometimes you can spot the kits moving around as well. I'm sure they'll arrive in their own good time, butI do remember that being on tenterhooks feeling! You can sometimes notice that her nipples will begin to swell slightly as she comes into milk when it's getting imminent if that's any help.
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Tetsab
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Post by Tetsab on Mar 9, 2012 2:01:58 GMT
You may have done a service for others as well as yourself by identifying this, Lardy. Duly noted and added into my store of 'things which can sometimes cause someone a problem'! Have you tried any of the ceramic tips at all? I did try the metal ones, they look very smart and appealed to me as being very hygienic but they're so COLD!! ...and I was always worried about clacking them against my teeth, too.   |
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Tetsab
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Post by Tetsab on Mar 9, 2012 1:45:33 GMT
WHAT a brilliant thread - we need a 'Like' button for the whole thing!! Simultaneously informative, responsible and supportive; an absolute textbook example of what AAE-C can be at it's very best.  Kudos to everyone who has contributed to this one and welcome indeed to Charleski. I do sincerely hope you will have the time (and inclination!) to drop by regularly. Input and opinion from a qualified medic who also vapes themself really would be enormously valued here.  |
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Tetsab
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Post by Tetsab on Mar 2, 2012 17:24:19 GMT
Must confess that I never cared for Horlicks as a drink but for some unknown reason absolutely adored the Horlicks tablets (kind of a sweet?) which you used to be able to get. Noting Perpetua's post above about the TPA flavour, just went and checked at Liberty Flights as they carry a selection of those. And yes, it's there! www.liberty-flights.co.uk/product.asp?id=112 |
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Tetsab
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Post by Tetsab on Mar 2, 2012 17:04:56 GMT
Just a small note of caution here, cats often prefer to be alone when they give birth so if Sam's shows any signs she isn't comfortable with an audience I do think that ought to be respected. Kittens sometimes appear as if by magic in the middle of the night, too; you discover the following morning that your family has now grown.
Having said all of that, the last time kittens arrived for one of my girls (long gone now, sadly) she positively INSISTED that I should be there to the extent that when I attempted to leave the room, she followed after me having contractions all the way down the hallway!
Naturally I obediently returned back where we'd come from and sat down again to stay with her. After the first kit had arrived and was being busily washed I was able to complete my intended journey, bladder about to burst!! I went back again and stayed while the rest of the litter arrived, feeling very much complimented (and obscurely smug) that I'd been very clearly 'invited' to be there for the birth.
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Tetsab
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Post by Tetsab on Mar 2, 2012 15:33:01 GMT
Many thanks to the wonderfully efficient Des, no sooner PM'd than files sent. Safely received, will have another try at printing out later on. Much obliged!  |
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Tetsab
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Post by Tetsab on Mar 2, 2012 15:07:56 GMT
Just tried it by 'pinching' the image from Image Shack, prints out quite fuzzy though in fairness mine isn't exactly a very posh printer. Thanks for the help, Des and Blakey It might be worth trying again with the PDF so watch out for a PM, Des! |
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Tetsab
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Post by Tetsab on Mar 2, 2012 13:17:33 GMT
Sorry if I'm being dense, Des - is that size in mm for the original size? That would only make it about 4½" x 5½", at first glance I'd assumed A4-ish. Reason I'm asking is 'cos I was thinking in terms of printing it that size then laminating it so I could try coercing the local pub into sticking it on (or near) the front door!
Also, would the PDF file be in better resolution for printing? If so I'll send a PM with my email for it.
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Tetsab
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Post by Tetsab on Mar 2, 2012 12:45:03 GMT
Totally agree with Perpetua - brilliant guide, Domestic. Just hoping I don't end up having to try and actually do it!!
Do you think there might be anything to be gained by just filing out from the inside to improve the thread clearance without having to actually cut a chunk out? Seems a bit drastic and I'm not too confident I could manage it as neatly as you've done.
I have a couple of these on the way but now trying quite hard not to get my hopes up too high for them. Having been impressed by people saying they were a really good 'plug & play' carto which you could even re-wick/re-coil if so inclined, they're starting to look/sound rather less plug & play. And some of them are springing leaks. Sigh. Why don't things turn out to be quite as brilliant as they sound?
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Tetsab
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Post by Tetsab on Feb 29, 2012 22:02:54 GMT
Oh good - that's exactly the answer I was hoping for! Did you actually try vaping with it yet??
Must get in touch with Dee to ask if I can get some of the resistance wire now, already have some of the wick. Always new stuff to learn with these things, isn't there!
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