1 yr old in first labor!! Pls stand by.. I'm terrified!

[catpack]

No, I recommend a vet school because your top specialists are often professors at these schools. The cost is almost always *more* than a standard clinic, but you are paying for the expertise. These specialists often see more "weird" or "unusual" cases as opposed to others at regular/standard clinics.

Ok. I thought I was thinking correctly about them being litter mates. This makes it all that more important to see an internal medicine specialist (not someone with an "interest in internal medicine". These are two different things.)

I really think Dora's issue is likely a result of inbreeding than simply Manx Syndrome. I worry that there are other issues going on than what you can see now. (It may also be why the other kitten passed.)

 

[bubblzmay]

Oh no.. Now I feel even more horrible not having Teddy neutered in time [emoji]128557[/emoji] So basically, this is all my fault! Greyson passing, Theodora's bum issues. Some of it was due to circumstances, like them getting that URI out of nowhere and the car breaking down (cost) but the other times were me and Jess being afraid to have Teddy done because he's always been... I don't know how to say it "different" For example, he WILL NOT eat anything but Beef baby food, Gerber to be exact. We've tried EVERYTHING! Expensive foods, cooking everything ppl and vets recommend, I've even resorted to getting on my hands and knees down by the bowl with Teddy near me and proceeded to eat the dry cat food. "Don't judge" We bottle fed him until he was around months because that's ALL he would eat! He literally starves himself if we just "Let him go hungry, he will eat eventually" as the vet recommends and why he's on the Nutri-Cal with Taurine. He has never jumped higher than the couch, we have stools and ottomans everywhere so he can get in the window or up on things. We leave a kitchen chair out so he can get on and off the table. (sigh) I just feel #*@$+?% horrible now!!!
Can you please recommend a good, reasonable pet insurance that covers a broad range of services? Thank you again.

 

[bubblzmay]

Here's a few much happier pics...

First pic is Dora.. She's a squirmy little booger!

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• bubblzmay
• Apr 21, 2016

Nallah.

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• bubblzmay
• Apr 21, 2016

One of our boys, I call him Seven.

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• bubblzmay
• Apr 21, 2016

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• bubblzmay
• Apr 21, 2016

I'll get more pics of a few more of them soon. It's just so hard because they will NOT stay still! It took me 20 minutes to get those. Lol..

 

[catpack]

First, I am not blaming you for Greyson's death. Kittens, just like humans, can be born with a wide array of health issues and birth defects that are not sustainable with life. Even more so with animals because we do not have the technology to give them care the way you would, say in a NICU setting. But, we also know that inbreeding can cause a lot of genetic deformities and issues as well.

It's quite possible that Teddy may have some genetic issues himself. Based on your description, I'd be inclined to have him checked out by a specialist as well.

Now to the pet insurance question....
The thing with pet insurance is that they do not cover pre-existing conditions. So, in Dora's case, it would not cover issues related to her anal deformity.

All insurance companies have a waiting period of 1-4 weeks for everything other than accidents (getting hit by a car, attacked by another animal). Accident coverage usually starts 24-72 hours after coverage starts. The kicker is that if a illness or injury (luxating patella, hip dysplasia) occurs during the 2 week waiting period, the issue is considered pre-existing and would not be covered.

Trupanion is supposed to be a good company and they reimburse 90% of the total you pay out for an illness, injury or accident. They do not cover routine things like spay/neuter, vaccines, dentals, etc...

PetPlan is another I hear about, but they reimburse a set amount per condition, regardless of what the visit actually cost.

I am currently looking into Embrace Pet Insurance, but can't speak one way or another about them at this moment.

 

[handsome kitty]

Nationwide has 3 different levels of pet care insurance.  For my cat the quote was about $36 a month for the one that covered heredity issues

This is from their website after you request a quote.

Designed for pet parents who seek only the best products for their pets, Whole Pet with WellnessSM
is the best pet insurance plan ever made. You’ll get back 90% on vet bills from heartworm prevention to hereditary conditions. It’s truly nose-to-tail coverage—and it’s only from Nationwide.*
And as with all Nationwide pet insurance plans, you’re free to use any veterinarian and get
complimentary, 24/7 access to vethelpline.SM

 

[bubblzmay]

Oh no, no, no, I wasn't in any way saying you were blaming me!! I'm blaming me! I'm VERY good at that actually. I think most really soft hearted souls are inclined to do so! I'm sorry I came off in a way that seemed as if I were feeling you were blaming me.
Well, thats a bummer about the insurance because we live from paycheck to paycheck. Our medicine is over $800 a month cash between the both of us because we can't afford for them to take insurance out of our checks. My hubbs is a manager and I believe they may be providing him with coverage very soon. Hopefully! Most vets won't take payments and I just have no idea how we'll come up with the money for Dora's treatment. We'd be willing to rehome her IF someone is willing to take on her special needs and understands about Manx syndrome just in case it should manifest later on. Manx breeders won't even let the kittens go until after they're 4 months old to ensure no signs of the syndrome present. I'm going to work on a GoFund me for her and I will be posting it on every single social media site, blog, rescue page, anywhere and everywhere and I pray there are enough cat loving, good hearted ppl out there who will want to help her!!!
About Teddy, he is very healthy, muscular, beautiful sleek coat, bright eyes, happy and active. I think it's more of a mental retardation type thing. You can totally see his lights on but nobody home sometimes. He's MY BABY so, me being so intune with his soul I can tell. Just the way he loves me is uncommon for an animal even. He'll just stare at me with this look in his eyes and when I look back at him or talk to him he will trill and trill. Which he does constantly. More than he ever fully meows, that and he chatters at bugs, birds, even the TV, which he just cannot get his head around yet bless his heart! He's comical really. Like when he's terrified of a sock on the floor or when he chases and bites at the vacuum like a dog. That kid, Ahh... He's my world! He's NOT from litter mates either. His father was full blood Manx and his mom was a Siamese mix. I'll definitely get him checked out one-day but right now, his daughter is who needs it asap!! Don't get me wrong, if he or any of my cats were sick I'd find a way, we always do but just him being simple doesn't warrant an emergency vet visit. Thank you all so much for always being here when I need you and again, I apologize if I came off wrong about blame!

P. s. The kittens are only 11 days old and we have used over 400 cotton balls :jaw:

 

[bubblzmay]

THE CUTEST THING IN THE WORLD IS HOW NEWBORN KITTENS EARS WIGGLE WHILE THEY SUCKLE!!!

 

[bubblzmay]

Some pics of Dora I worked on tonight. They're not cleaned up yet but wanted to share how precious this baby is! While she was on her back, she was kneading in the air. Melted my heart!!

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• bubblzmay
• Apr 21, 2016

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• bubblzmay
• Apr 21, 2016

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• bubblzmay
• Apr 21, 2016

 

[Sarthur2]

Oh, my! How adorable! I just want to cuddle his little self! [emoji]128149[/emoji][emoji]128062[/emoji]

 

[bubblzmay]

Hey everyone, Just a quick update. We've been VERY busy these last few days and have a couple more hectic days ahead before things settle back down. Everyone is doing good, eating, gaining, all their eyes and ears are now open and their little personalities are coming through. They're starting to play... ADORABLE :heart2:
I've been working on the bio for Dora's GoFundMe and we're setting it up in the next day or two at the most. I found a local vet (within an hour from us) who sounds like the perfect place to start with Dora until we can raise some money to get her to an Internal Medicine Specialist. I know that I was told not to go to a vet that just had an "interest in internal medicine" to go to one who specializes in it but right now, with limited resources and living in such a rural area I'm very pleased to have found a Vet clinic where there are 4 passionate veterinarians on staff there and all of them do at least have an interest in internal medicine. I'm providing the link to their site. Would you all be kind enough to look over the info and services provided and give me an opinion? One thing I was pleased to find out is they do offer exploratory surgery and even just that is far more than any of these local vets provide. So I'm feeling a bit of relief finding this clinic. With 4 different vets for 4 different opinions if need be. Thank you all again for helping me through this very trying time and helping my babies to be as healthy and happy as possible! You all are animal guardian angels!! Below is the link:

http://ayersanimalhospital.com/about-us/meet-our-doctors.html

 

[catpack]

So, likely fine to use the clinic you found as a started stepping stone. What I would ask in particular is the training everyone has received/completed in regards to ultrasound.

Dora would not be a candidate for surgery until she is at least 6 weeks old, and, even then, you would want a specialist (or board certified surgeon) to be the one to do a surgery. Most vets are not skilled enough to administer anesthesia to kittens under 10 to 12 weeks of age. Sedating a kitten 6 weeks of age or less is very risky. (I have done so, with a 3 1/2 week old kitten. It was a life or death matter. She survived the surgery itself, but passed away minutes later. I would have preferred to have gotten her to one of the vet schools for surgery, but was unable and used a local board certified surgeon whom we absolutely love!)

A *good* ultrasound could provide some useful information right now. A full "cat-o-graph" or full body x-ray (easy to do on tiny kittens) could also be useful.

 

[red top rescue]

I was so glad to see that the hospital you chose is AAHA Accredited!  I always recommend people find an AAHA hospital if possible because they have to meet certain standards and all vets must complete a certain amount of continuing education every year, so they keep abreast of new things.  Your vets have a good spread of ages too, which increases the knowledge.  There are things that older vets know that the younger ones more recently out of school don't know yet and some of the younger vets may know recent advances that the older ones haven't heard about yet, so a spread like that can educate the whole group better in general.  Of course I do know the vet schools that the first three vets attended -- the first two went to Auburn (Alabama) and the third to University of Georgia, and both those schools are well known and well respected in this area.  There is usually good communication between their graduates and professors there, i.e. if a practicing vet needs to know something specific, he just calls someone at the university. I know people who have taken their animals to each of the schools for special treatments.  One family had a dog who eveloped a slipped disc and needed spine surgery.  It turned out fine and the dog lived into very old age.  Another took her horse to Auburn on a number of occasions -- poor thing was allergic to HAY and other grasses, bad news for a horse.  He too lived to a ripe old age with the proper medications.  Anyhow, you can't do better than an AAHA animal hospital in general, and I would feel quite comfortable going there.

 

[bubblzmay]

Thank you so very much for sharing your experience with me. It made me get very scared for my little angel. I'm VERY, VERY, attached, I love her with my whole heart already and I didn't know she couldn't have surgery yet or that it's so risky. I've been so anxious to get her opening enlarged because when she has a poop, she tears, I'm sure that's what the yellow crust is on her sometimes. Good thing is, she is able to poop but I need to ensure her stools stay runny in order for her to have easy passage. Could you give me a dosage of olive oil per ounce of KMR to soften her stools without it being too much and dehydrating her? I'm feeling a hard cry coming on so I need to go. Thank you all again!! I wish I could hug you all

 

[bubblzmay]

Yes, I had the same idea about the wide range of vets staffed at this hospital and it makes me feel better going somewhere that if one vet is stumped about something, they can go to this or that vet and I'm sure in cases like Dora's they will act as a team on her case. Plus, it's right down the road. Around town we visit every 2 weeks to pick up our meds and see our Dr ourselves. We're actually headed there in the morning. It's a bit of a drive in an emergency (an hour) but it's the closest emergency vet in our area. That Dr Crank who is SUPPOSED to be an on call emergency vet service is the one we txtd The Night Lola went into labor and had the kitten stuck and then the sack bust with the kitten only presenting it's back legs. He still hasn't called back. We txtd several times that night and nothing! I'll NEVER go to OR recommend him!! Thank you again for your feedback. I'm so worried about my baby girl! She has stolen my heart already!!!!

 

[bubblzmay]

Another new update. This evening, Lola. Has decided to move her kittens to a large crate we have in the living room. I'll tell you one thing, when a mama kitty wants to move her litter there is NO STOPPING HER!!!! I tried everything I could think of to distract her from her evening agenda. I tried the laser pointer, I tried cuddling and walking around the house with her, tried catnip, even resorted to scolding, which I most def know is NOT a good idea! She was only acting out her natural instincts. I was just scared because out in the living room like that is right with Teddy and Roo whereas in the utility room the boys just knew to stay out! They really have been excellent though and are being really good boys with them in the living room as well. I just wonder why she.decided to move them.it was getting a little small for them (the old nesting box) and it was really hot in that room. (hot water tank was in there and no windows or anything) All i do know is,she was moving them come Hell or high water and now that theyre all moved, shes happy as can be!!

 

[talkingpeanut]

Can you keep the boys away from her? Especially teddy if he was just neutered. He is still fertile.

 

[bubblzmay]

How long will he be fertile for? About how long until his testosterine levels drop? He was a little over a year old when done. Thank you

 

[Sarthur2]

Minimum 2 weeks. 4 to be on the safe side.

 

[bubblzmay]

Minimum 2 weeks. 4 to be on the safe side.

Wow! No wonder hes still acting like he wasnt nuetered! Well, the spraying has stopped and it was 3-4 times a DAY but hes still cat calling at our bedroom door where Molly (our 7 yr old) is in heat. Trying to literally tear through the door.(sigh) 4 weeks.....

 

[Sarthur2]

She'll be out of heat within a week though. He should calm down when she does. Not a fun time though! [emoji]128533[/emoji]