Thursday, July 30, 2009

DAY THIRTEEN.....WHAT A SCENE

This day was a nice change from the last 14 or so. A good friend came to visit Kelly and the kittens and stayed to talk. We had so much fun we decided to continue our visit over lunch. It was nice to have some diversion from worrying about how my mother was accepting being in a rehab facility and from my ever constant concern for the health of Kelly and her kittens. I'm very aware that I tend to hover over them and it doesn't bother me one bit that some might think I'm nuts. After my spouse suggested I was obsessed about the kittens, I asked him, "Why do you suppose there's such a high mortality rate for kittens in the first two weeks of life?". I happen to believe it's because many mama cats and kittens don't have some crazy cat lady watching over them.
Things are actually going well with my mother and with the kittens. I called Mom this evening and she sounded clearer than she had for weeks. She admitted being tired from doing her rehab exercises and attending occupational therapy, but said she had "bingo'd" twice at last evening's gathering. I'm relieved she's making friends and cooperating with the therapists.
As for the kittens....they look healthy and move around more now. They're even starting to play with each other, but I'm a little concerned about the eyes of two kittens. One eye never opened at all (I'm tempted to name that one Popeye) and last night it was very matted. I applied warm water and the eye opened just a peep, but there was some creamy colored fluid present that shouldn't have been there. I think the eye is infected and it was matted shut again this morning. The other kitten's eye, which is red and a little bit matted, might have simply been scratched by a littermate while they were trying to nurse. They seem to be a bit feisty with each other when one has a place another wants, though Kelly seems totally oblivious to the babies' squabbles and sweetly tolerates anything they do.
I stopped at the vet's office today and asked for some opthalmic ointment but was told the kittens would have to be seen by the vet before anything could be prescribed. I thought that would be the case, but it didn't hurt to ask. The vet said it wasn't an emergency so I accepted an appointment for tomorrow. I know it's not at all uncommon for kittens to have matted eyes in the first few weeks of life so I'm not going to obsess this time. No, really....I mean it.

3 comments:

The Real Estate Talker said...

Sounds like you are doing good all around with the kitties and your mom.
Blessings~Cheryl

Karen said...

Kady, I think is has been wonderful that you have been around for this young mother and her babies. They are so blessed to have you. I love watching the videos. Kelly is so good to her babies and they are growing and changing everyday.

It's great to hear that your mom is doing so much better too. You've had a lot to deal with in the last few weeks and it's a blessing you have such a wonderful husband and good friends around to help you through it.

Cat Nap Inn Primitives said...

Oh you are the best crazy cat lady from one crazy cat lady to another..I love that title and am a fierce mama bear to my babys..I love that you are taking such great care of these babys and that they are growing up healthy.unlike the poor homeless kittys that you see and want to help...folks need to remember to get them fixed..I sound like Bob Barker..but it is true..so many homeless ones and it breaks my heart...glad to hear Mom is enjoying her time and is enjoying bingo too..:)