Hi, KT! I don't know about how to test for blindness, but I'm sure a trip to the vet would lead to answers. Blind cats can do very well in an indoor environment. He won't know he is missing anything and his other senses will help him navigate.
The suckling isn't anything to worry about. They are looking for their mom. They still want to nurse.
Keep up the good work with these little ones. I love the photo in your avatar. :)
Posted 2 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #
Is there any gunk in the eyes of the one you think is blind? It may be that he ahs an infection... You migh want to call your vt and ask about it... KW is right, tho... blind cats can have great lives in a caring home. Be sure if you do give up some of them that you take them toa no-kill shelter! They will find the right home for them. Maybe if when they are suckling on each other you may want to offer more bottle time. BE sure you sleep too - they will nap a long time after they fill their bellies!
Posted 2 years ago by nawlins catmom #
It's very possible he is blind. You don't know what might have happened to the wee ones before you rescued them. But, don't feel to sad about it, like KW and NC have said, he won't know that he is any different than any other kitten and he could turn out to be the sweetest, most cuddly little guy you ever had.
So far as the suckling, do they have anything else they can suck on? You can try giving them small stuffed animals, or an old piece of blanket. They are so young that they need to suck and if they are hungry they will do it even more.
Posted 2 years ago by CheetahBoysmommy #
http://www.katu.com/news/40682277.html
I'm not sure on this, but this story was posted on TDK a while back and it was quite inspiring.
Posted 2 years ago by Tigerlilly #
It is such a bittersweet story. She obviously had a home at one time, because she was tamed. She could see at one time because she had one eye. Now she's homeless (although I'm sure she's been adopted by now) and sightless but is still a happy, functioning cat.
Ken, if your baby is sightless, he/she still has a perfectly good life ahead.
Posted 2 years ago by CheetahBoysmommy #
My kittens aren't as young as yours, but I am sure the best advice I can give is I had 3 little ones fall into my possession, we've had the blindness-scares (were still not sure, but we remain positive here) and the poop drama. Without a doubt TDK has helped me raising my little ones, and is always there for aid in the poop department. Best thing I can say is stay positive, don't let the worries get you down. Take a deep breath and remind yourself nomatter how bad it gets they are in better hands then they were before!
Keep up the great work, you have some majorly cute kittens on your hands.
Def check for an eye infection. If it is and they're always playing with eachother it could spread. But you are doing great. I'd love to have kittens again. Just knowing that when the cat is older and is the sweetest thing means I did my job right. Why can't binx be little again! But! Stay positive and binx and I will send healing thoughts your way and for the kittens.
Thank you for all the positive thoughts and advice. There is no gunk or anything in his eyes, never has been, I have been very carefull to make sure they are all clean and everything...
He has been noticably 'sweeter' than the other kittens, that was another sign something was up. We are hoping he just needs more time to develop his sight since they are just now 3 weeks old?
I am not sure which ones we are keeping now...each one has tugged at our heartstrings in one way or another. It is a hard choice to make, my Mother wants to keep the potentially blind one, I want to keep my Nox, and my Dad almost wants to keep all 3 so it is hard...
They are getting their ears, perfect little triangles framing their faces...and their paws are now paw-like instead of the sticks they were when we found them! lol.
They have grown in size so fast, its amazing!!! Kittens are lil fluffball size miricles!
Posted 2 years ago by ~*~Rav's Mom~*~ #
Keep 'em all - the three Muskateers!
Posted 2 years ago by nawlins catmom #
Yall are crazy! 3 cats?!?! LOL I dont know...I have 4 dogs already and 2 birds, and other critters...
Anyways, I am still not sure if they aint all blind now...I guess their sight is not all the way developed at 3 weeks? I think I am worrying about them too much and taking everything so seriously and over analizing it...Maybe they are fine...???
Any tips on litterbox training little ones ? Or are they too young?
Posted 2 years ago by ~*~Rav's Mom~*~ #
AFter they feed, stimulate them and place them into the litter - they will get the idea, but they are too young just yet to really take it on themselves.
Posted 2 years ago by nawlins catmom #
Blind scare over, the one is just a few days behind on development... lol...
Posted 2 years ago by ~*~Rav's Mom~*~ #
That is great news - how is pooping going???
Posted 2 years ago by nawlins catmom #
Doing fine on #2...sad thing is they are still wanting to suckle on eachother, and now they have teeth...they have hurt the black and white one badly by suckling, now they are all 3 seperated from eachother because it is so bad.
Posted 2 years ago by ~*~Rav's Mom~*~ #
KT - That is not very nice of them! someone on the site mentioned something that might help - A snuggle cat, I think it was called... I have not seen one, but perhaps it has pseudo nipples that they could latch on to...?
Posted 2 years ago by nawlins catmom #
You are telling me! I would take a pic of the damage but it is very graphic. My parents are scared he might die...it is that severe. It litterally happened in minutes, with their teeth and everything it did not take long to do some horrific damage to the boy. I have to keep the 2 greys seperated because they do the same thing AND I have caught them fighting, very violently...I wonder if it is play fighting or what but it didnt look like romping/playing and it was over their food bowl. It looked like 2 grown cats having a fight, not something some lil kittens could do.
Posted 2 years ago by ~*~Rav's Mom~*~ #
Can you get the black and white to the vet? Poor baby? Is it possible they need to be bottle fed more/lnoger? are they still on bottle at all? I have never dealt with this personally - hopefully others will have specific ideas! Hang in there!
Posted 2 years ago by nawlins catmom #
They been drinking outta a saucer for a week now. I am keeping polysorine on his rear...and keeping him quiet as I can, letting him rest up.Its still very scarry.
Posted 2 years ago by ~*~Rav's Mom~*~ #
Is he acting somewhat normal, or does he seem to have no energy? Is he bleeding? Is he eating? How about pee and poop? Be sure he does not eat/lick any of the medicine! How are you doing with this develoment?
Posted 2 years ago by nawlins catmom #
Hes eatting, energetic like the others, the site is red and pussy/infected but the polysporn and keeping him away from the others for 2 days now you can see a big diffrence.
I also sprayed the kittens stomach and rear with bitter apple spray...Chev is the one still wanting to suckle so bad she has turned to Rav for suckling...They did not like the bitter apple at all but this is tough love!!! I wont be spraying Nox till he is healed up...for now he will have to do without his littermates till he is healed. I need to go to the store to get some fun little toys for the little monsters.
Posted 2 years ago by ~*~Rav's Mom~*~ #
Chev will be going to a new home in about 2 weeks, found her a good one. I am sad but...anyways...ya...:(
Posted 2 years ago by ~*~Rav's Mom~*~ #
KT - glad to hear he is improving! and glad Chev has a home in the offing! Congrats!
Posted 2 years ago by nawlins catmom #
Here is a kitten pacifier you can purchase. Or if you are inventive you can make your own
Posted 2 years ago by ailuromaniac #
Thank you Ailur :)
We have found a home for Rav, but NOX is STAYING for sure!!! I am so happy!!! He is the one that is 'messed up' but I love him so much!!! I really want to keep Rav too but...=sigh= I really really want to keep him. I dont know what you are suppose to do but I do not want to be an animal horder, and with the amount of animals...ya...this sucks!!!
Posted 2 years ago by ~*~Rav's Mom~*~ #
it is hard to give kits you have raised, but as long as they are going to good homes, and will be loved (and spay/neutered) you have done what is best... This way you have room to foster the next batch that finds you... you are id'd on the angel network now, y'know!!!
Posted 2 years ago by nawlins catmom #
Glad to report that Nox is doing better, his boy parts are healing up and are going down in swelling. Applying the polysporen 3 X a day and keeping him isolated has done the trick.
They are growing SO fast, and I am glad they are not drinking formula anymore, as they would eat me out of house and home!!!
Raising these little ones has been a life experience. To see them so small and helpless, and now they are lil devils with so much energy, and growing so fast!!!
I am already sad, because in a few weeks the 2 will be leaving me...but at the same time I am exhausted, and want them to go to good homes. I know that I cannot keep all 3...but I am happy to keep 1...but I want to keep Rav as well...It is very very hard to let Rav go. I am kinda thinking of keeping Rav and maybe giving Nox away...I am torn and heartbroken. Chev, the girl, I dont know why but I just do not click with her, she is really rumbuxious and kinda mean...she has a totally diffrent personality than the two boys.
=^.^= Thank you Nawlins for all your advice and all the replys to my post, seems you have been with me every step of the way!
=^.^= And thanks to all the other TDK'ers that have helped with posts and replys, really has helped me more than ya know!!!
Posted 2 years ago by ~*~Rav's Mom~*~ #
KT - Now you understand how all our mothers felt when we finally left the nest, or why mamacats wean their kits with such skill!!! It is exhausting! You have done a wonderful thing, as all foster moms do, in saving these babies! Congratulations.
Posted 2 years ago by nawlins catmom #
The people who were suppose to take Chev backed out. Their cat had 4 kittens...they didnt bother to call or anything...we had to call them and thats how we found out...how can you not know your cat is pregnate...bleh!
Posted 2 years ago by ~*~Rav's Mom~*~ #
Bummer! But if they didn't know that they might not have been the best place sore Chev anyway... I am sure you will find a new home for the baby... Don't give up!
Posted 2 years ago by nawlins catmom #
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