Day 14 Update

 

I note as I watch this video back how much there is to see in this short video. You see a mother cat who is intent upon gaining every calorie she can - she is cleaning them up ferociously because I’ve just been offering them formula - which they didn’t require because they are so full. You also see in the video that despite refusing my milk offering & being full that the kittens still continue to harass her teats - and as they do there are different stories going on. At one stage as she is still cleaning, at the same time in reaction to inquest from another kitten she is awkwardly positioned with her leg opened to give that access. Multitasking, she is aware and rearing to their needs. But having finished cleaning as the onslaught continues she lies down again but now she uses her back leg to push them clear and try to guard her tummy - though not for long as she realises it’s futile. 

I’m sure now that this onslaught is why she was so unsettled during last night. At one point bringing a single kitten up onto my bed (I put it back!). I assumed that she might be struggling to produce enough milk and her mewing (so rare) was her asking me to step in. And I think this is true she does want my help but not because she is lacking milk but more that she is overwhelmed by their continuous desire for it. She might be a little sore. Their claws are sharp and their constant suckling and kneading of her soft abdomen will be having an effect for sure. They’ll be using her as a teether too with their first teeth getting ready to emerge fairly soon. Even do, their gum line is hard and the pressure and friction will be affecting her comfort. Certainly she is taking more breaks away from them now - to get peace often choosing to take a little “me time” to snooze for longer but still not far away. She might have a drink, visit the loo, a quick burst on the running wheel to stretch and use her muscles and limbs having been on her sides for such long periods. 

The kittens are superb. Strong and healthy with increasing weights. Tonight’s weights are;

Black F 217g, Blue F 220g. Blue M’s 226g & 245g 

I watch them sleep, dream & stretch their limbs testing them regularly. They are at this stage still very much babies. They can move around but it’s more dragging/crawling and their motivation for moving anywhere is in getting to mum or finding somewhere in her absence that they might want to snuggle up. I sometimes lift a blanket to do a head count and find a pile of kittens laying at all angles absolutely zonked to the world. Bliss. 

I also watch them when everything is still and quiet. In the video below, taken in the dead of night June 4th into 5th shows Prune soundly sleeping and yet this kitten onslaught goes on still. The quality is not great. I zoomed in rather than move so as not to disturb them at all.. but as you watch the kittens have mounted themselves high up on their quest for a tear to be plugged into…thankfully though badly aimed there is some eventual success…..

Worth the Weight!

Happy Jubilee Friday! 

After 3 full days of feeding her babies without any kind of supplemental support assistance from me each time I’ve checked upon the kittens (frequently) they have had very full tummies.  I’ve just taken their latest weights & am thrilled that every single kitten is now over the 200g mark: 

Black Female: 208g   Blue F 201g

Blue M’s   218g   &   208g 

They are stronger by the day & exercising their bodies as they begin to explore more. I’ve noticed Prune is more inclined to have a little “me time” though she is never far away and returns swiftly with a soft reassuring new to let them know she is there. However, each time she settles with them the kittens want to latch on & I think she is needing a little break, perhaps feeling some discomfort from the almost constant assault on her tears since there are always favoured positions. 

I watched a fabulous short video on Instagram this week where a back a Sphynx mother was laying flat on her back, legs akimbo with kittens latched on from both sides at once . I thought this a super solution and wondered why this is not a position that is used more often. Maybe because m the usual side laying crescent shape into which kittens gather is residual instinct since in the wild this poison shields & protects mum snd her exposed abdomen… maybe too this position is a way to attempt to shield a couple of the teats hiding them more beneath this giving them a welcome break! Only joking, when you see how they insistently butt and burrow in order to seek out the teats you’ll appreciate that unless she lays like the Egyptian Sphinx tummy to the floor (which she will do in the weeks to come after they have weaned to meat), her underside is getting no such rest! 

This video taken today (June 3rd 2022) does actually demonstrate a bit that head butting and digging as well as the many needle like claws that rhythmically knead pricking at her soft underbelly skin. Note to self that I may need to perform another miniature manicure again!

Chirruping

Whether I’m watching TV, knitting (another baby dress for my granddaughter) or anything else all the while I’m more & more aware these last couple of days of Prune’s almost constant communication with her offspring. It’s such a beautiful chatter of chirruping and warbles. They are in short bursts, like a murder & are reasonably high in pitch.  I wish I knew what she was saying but I think they are reassurances or encouragement since historically she makes this same wittering warbling chit chat sound a bit later when she wants her kittens to begin leaving the nest to explore & start gaining muscle strength & building stamina. 

When she leaves the den, and if the kittens then begin to squeak (where’s the milk? Where’s the milk ? They cry!) as she approaches she warbles the same voice to (I’m here children, don’t fret!) . It’s just so so lovely hearing it all. 

I’ve included here one of 2 delicious snaps I took of Noodle at about 4am today while she was in a very deep sleep. I wanted to honour her because when Pru took some time out yesterday evening to partake of a child-free & peaceful snooze on the heat mat on my bed under a blanket, Noodle who is usually there too had quietly vanished…bless her heart she had taken over childminding, keeping the kittens warm & in company (though there was no chatting!) . I love my ladies so so much & am frequently in awe of their communal kindness (they can squabble too btw!) .

Must do a new weigh in tomorrow as Prune is handling all feeding herself since Tuesday evening so 48 hours. Tummies are very well filled each time I check & there is no crying for food. As you see in the photo of them all there’s no problem with being plugged in. I so love the hands up pose there and the almost human looking fingers, Happy Jubilee Bank Holiday everyone!