Pure Kitten Smiles

Methinks I can stop worrying about her.

Sparkles meets the Gang of Four

Sparkles was completely unperturbed yesterday when introduced to The Gang of Four. She immediately began playing with one kitten after another, with some time out to try their toys as well. The foster-siblings are very chubby, as they have grown up unhindered by the health issues that Sparkles has had to overcome. Compared to Sparkles, they lumber, rather than bounce around.

I stayed around for a while, although I didn't get any better photos than these. By the time I left Sparkles and the others were all sleeping in a pile.

Kitten Kisses

It has been a very long time since I was covered in kisses to this extent. Albeit milky, nuzzling, purring kisses with more nibble action as her chompers have grown in.
I started putting some canned kitten chow into the milk bottle every so often over the last few days, to get Sparkles used to different taste and texture. I have also attempted to teach her to lap from a bowl, one of the messiest endeavors imaginable. Feet, face, fur plastered in goop and then pawfully shared up my arms, neck, face, into my hair and all over my glasses. Just wiping Sparkles off with a damp wash cloth induced a pathetic shivering attack and she had to be wrapped in towels and hugged with her hot water bottle until she warmed up again.
Sparkles decided this morning that she did not want to be bottle fed any more. By this evening's feed she has pretty much mastered the technique, without my needing to wade into the dish with her. (The dish is the screw cap from a sauer-craute jar; perfect size and height for her).
Princess Sparkles is officially weaned. She'll be asking for the car keys next.

What a difference a week makes...

Above and below: July 22 nd

Above and below July 29th

Sparkles has turned into a moving target. We will need an "action photographer" to capture more images of the beast. She is 4 weeks old.
Sparkles has an appointment with the vet tomorrow, for a check-up and testing to see if she is carrying any kitty-pox diseases. She was too tiny to rob her of any blood for testing up until now. If she gets a clean bill of health she will be joining four other kittens the same age in foster care. I'll let you know what her future holds as soon as I find out.

The Friendship that Might Have Been.

Synopsis of a good dog's life:
-First night of puppy ownership

-Happiness is...

-Needle sharp puppy teeth

-Profile of a Movie Star

-Starting some training: "Diva, Sit"

-"Diva, Come"

-Helping to clean the dishes

-A day at the beach. Growing up together

-Who tired who out?

-Hanging out with Java, her best friend

-Diva hosts my surprise birthday party and remembers to order Frosty Paws ice cream for her pack.

-Portrait of a dog who will be missed

Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor

Pounds, Kilos, Ounces and Grams, Oh My!

Last Friday Sparkles weighed in at urgent care at 7.8 oz (ounces), reflected on her chart as 0.49 lbs (pounds). The second tech who took over because she recognized Sparkles and I, repeated the weight in favor of a metric solution (all the meds are calculated by metric weight) and found 221 grams.
Today we returned for a check-up and all is progressing nicely. We even have hope that the yucky eye is healing as Sparkles gains strength. There is talk of including a little canned food in the menu for Ms. Kitten.
The assistant today weighed Sparkles and noted 422 grams. We have a lot more kitty on our hands than we did before; almost double in less than a week. We are witnessing this phenomenon developing daily before our eyes. There will be more photos soon, I promise.
The specialist Kitty Vet with whom we had scrupulously made our appointment today came in and treated Sparkles' eye, for which I am grateful. She answered my questions but asked enough of her own that I knew she had not even glanced at our chart. Sparkles has been seen at this clinic four times in the last ten days. Two of those visits were near-death experiences. I would think that her chart might be of interest!
Finally, when I asked what Sparkles had weighed last time, our illustrious doctor flicked on the exam room computer, which is there for that reason, and told me that Sparkles had actually lost weight. According to the notes, as read by our doctor, she had previously clocked  490 grams.
I excused myself for arguing the point with her and respectfully pointed out that the chart said 0.49 lbs. She said that was not possible as they worked in grams and kilos. The irrefutable print out and my prove-you-right or prove-you-wrong calculations with my trusty, never leave home without it calculator did nothing to sway her convictions of infallibility.
The outcome was not life-threatening, but it sure as heck could have been. I won't be going out of my way to visit this "Specialist" again!

Piling it on

Sparkles had to go in for emergency respiratory support last evening in a sudden and frightening reversal of her great progress to date. She was snuggling in my arms (all seven ounces of her) when her breathing went from a slight wheeze to a seriously labored struggle. It was not a "wait and see" situation. I went straight to the 24-hour vet clinic, where she has been evaluated since we found her.
The reception area was crowded with people picking up pets after routine surgeries, as well as those waiting for their appointments. It is a busy clinic, with multiple vets and support staff.
One thing about Sparkles is that she is an attention magnet. A receptionist immediately called for assistance with a distressed breathing patient and a vet-tech rushed out and ushered us back into their ER.
Sparkles was placed on oxygen in something resembling a small aquarium with a lid and hoses into the side. She was shivering and using all her strength on every breath. I was a wreck from the bad news I'd received about my dog Diva's prognosis that afternoon in another vet's office. I was trying to focus on Sparkles but my mind kept slipping sideways and my nose and eyes kept spilling over. I have recently noticed how vet's offices always have a supply of Kleenex on hand.
I felt lucky to recognize Jennifer, our tech from Sunday's visit. She zoomed over to weigh Sparkles and was pleased she has gained several ounces. She bumped us up to the top of the list and we soon had a vet ministering to us.
Sparkles probably has a viral component adding to her bacterial infection, which had almost cleared up. They felt she was too diminished to take a blood sample. She needs to keep hold of whatever she has for now. We are to extend the course of antibiotics, add nasal droplets and steam treatments. It was decided that her poop-retention was worrisome so Little Sparkles got a free enema, although the hoped for results were not immediate.
Sparkles made it through another night, with a little bathing to clean her up around three this morning. (Thank you Enema and My Goodness Sparkles!). She and I have been huddled together a lot today, with a pan of hot water, beneath a large bath towel to cover both our heads. My skin thinks it has gone to a spa. I keep forgetting to remove my glasses which get fogged up on contact with the warm, moist air we are breathing. It is hot enough here in California already without having my face poached every few hours.
This afternoon her sleep has been more restful and she is feeding like a Tasmanian Devil now that her little tummy has emptied out properly.
No guarantees, but where there's life, there's hope.
Time to go boil some water and feed the beast...

True Grit

Sparkles is making headway. She found an innovative sleeping position to be able to breathe more easily and has eaten and slept her way through the worst.
I am going to need Hubby to collaborate on getting a few more glamorous pictures of his favorite little Princess. She is an active two-hands-full now, when awake.
I have been reaching out to more knowledgeable kitten-folks for advice and their support has been invaluable. If all goes as planned, they are going to take her in a few days and integrate her into a new kitten-family of five foundlings about the same age. They were collected from the local pound yesterday "pre-euthanasia".
Hubby had taken for granted that we were keeping Sparkles. I may have to draw him a picture, 'cos he sure hasn't been listening to the words I've used. No more "permanents" hung on my heart strings for a while, if ever. Rescue, strengthen and launch on their way, then help the next one.