Now I’d placed a dry puppy training pad under her so no wet cold area to chill her kitten, but this turned out not to be to her-ladyships liking at all. She jumped off the bed, leaving her newly born and got into the kittening box. Ok.. that’s where I’d want her to be - but she didn’t want puppy pads - at all. I compromised by placing it only under her rear and since things were now coming on a pace she didn’t object. Out came kitten 2 nose first & while she dealt with kitten licking duties I exchanged the pad. But now Prune stood up - her kitten swinging like Tarzan from a rope. Oh goodness. She turned a few times and lay down, got up again, then sat awkwardly. The placenta delivered and she began to work. Despite her odd position she dealt with this while I did my best to replace the pad again she began to do some very jerky movements. Really fierce contractions and then as I videoed, kitten 3 arrived still completely in his bag. I’d not realise how fine, strong & stretchy they are until I watched his arms stretching forward as instinct drove him to pull it away from his face. Should I help? Or not? I was about to do so when it split and his desperation to breath air for the first time were resolved. Again, the placenta followed & Prune was her own midwife just as nature designed. Now she decided the box was not good - she needed to be away from puppy pads, and she ran to the cat condo tower snuggling into a sleeping pouch - you can not birth in there Prunella. I had to get her out. I did and returned her to her 3 blue kittens.and a short time later, out came kitten 4 - absolutely coal black. I thought I could see and feel the round head of another but after an hour there was no further baby. I examined her abdomen but the lumpy shape was gone and I could feel nothing there. Must have imagined it. I’m the end, just like last year she has birthed 3 blue followed by one black kitten. The difference hee is that there are 2 boys (both blue) and 2 girls (black & blue).
All day I’ve been listening to them snuffling & squeaking as they try to learn how to feed. Prune is fretting and keeps mewing at me (only ever mews when in pain or anxious) while her kittens mostly cried their displeasure. This evening I made a small feed offering each a 3ml syringe of milk. The blues each guzzled 2.5 while the black emptied all 3ml. I’ll top them up again later and hope to get some kind of rest. Prune and Noodle are both unsettled tonight so it might be another long one!
So, Noodle had no chance to show interest in the kittens last year given that Floozy was here then and had decided that she was the centre of everything. How would she behave this time?
Well this next few images will give evidence to that…
Will they notice me ? Hmmm I’ll just wait here..
Still waiting… Orunr is behind me eating
Right, those kittens are being soooo neglected!
Oh, ok. Well, I was just checking for you Prune. Can I just sit here. I won’t say a word…
