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  Fenya's Kitten Diary Fall 2015
This reads from the bottom up. New entries are added at the top so its easy to follow as they grow.
The music used on this page is Let Them Be Little by Billy Dean 
These kittens are the progeny of our sire Polo and dam Fenya 
Kittens from this litter will go to waiting families on our kitten list.
_______________________________________________________________________

 

Closing Stats

#1 Ginger – is now Jack and lives in Medford, MA with his brother "Z". Zephyrus from Fenya's 2013 litter.

#2 Cinnamon  –  is now Madeline and lives in Melrose, MA with her new older sister Pixie from Finola's 2007 litter.

#3 Clove – is now Clovis and lives in Harvard, MA  with his new family resident kitty Oscar.. 

December 30th - The close of the year brings a close of this litters diary too. Cinnamon went home on Sunday. Her owner has named her Madeline. Clove went home on Monday. He has a small name change from Clove to Clovis. Ginger went back to see the Vets on Monday. His surgery site looked funny to me. Like nothing I've seen before. Turns out it's scar tissue. Because it opened a bit his body is filling the space with a scar. He went home this afternoon but not without concern. This morning he looked worse. I took a photo and call the doctor. I was worried his sack had turned inside out. I was on the phone with the doctor when his owner arrived.    The doc thought it could just be a hematoma but she wanted to see it. His owner decided to take him and swing by our animal hospital on her way home. Poor Ginger. On first exam the doctor thought it could be prolapsed scrotal tissue. The decision was made to fix it, once they could really get into the area it was decided to be fatty tissue. It was snipped off and closed  and Ginger was on his way home with his new owner. The photo is a bit graphic so you will have to click this link to see it. Ginger's scrotum photo (Click your computers back button to return here)

Pixie (Finola's 2007) sharing her toys with Madeline (Cinnamon)



Pixie (Finola's 2007) sharing her toys with Madeline (Cinnamon)


December 25th - Merry Christmas - The kittens are doing well post surgery. Cinnamon has left her incision suture remain in, lol. What a good girl she is. She has some minimal swelling. Ginger had a little bit of red blood yesterday. He probably tore his glue by being a bit too active. We are watching it and all seems well today.

December 23rd - The kittens went into the Animal Hospital yesterday for their alter surgeries. All went well and by today the kittens have no idea they had anything done to them. While Ginger was under anesthetic the doctor opened his left eyelid to look inside. She saw no evidence of an eyeball. This is a good thing. A partial eye or tiny eye may have required surgery to remove the parts to prevent infections from forming in the future. Tom thinks Clove favors men. I think Clove favors anyone who loves on him, lol. 

Cinnamon

Cinnamon

Clove & Cinnamon

Clove & Cinnamon

Ginger

Ginger

Clove & Sean


December 18th - ten weeks old - The kittens are awake playing for much longer periods now that they are tweens. They like being under the Christmas tree but no one has even attempted to climb it.

Cinnamon at 10 weeks of age

Cinnamon

Clove at 10 weeks of age

Clove

Ginger at 10 weeks of age


December 15th - We went and saw Dr. Gould and had our wellness check and vaccinations. The kittens were very good on the ride there one kitten talked a little bit. Not distressed, just conversational meowing. Their weights are as follow; Ginger 2lbs 15 ounces, Cinna 3lbs, Clove 3lbs 8 ounces. There was a bit of surprise at what a big boy Clove is. If you think of the early spay neuter requirement of 8 weeks and two pounds. we're quite a bit above that 2 pounds. None of them seemed nervous at the vets. They played on the exam table and sat on the scale, lol. The doctor cheeked each kitten over, eyes, teeth, hearts, lungs, all check out good to go. Each got their shot without a peep. Surgery is scheduled for next Tuesday. We've seen no ill effects from their vaccines.

I weigh six pounds....don't look at that other cat on the scale.... I weigh six pounds.

We're ready for you Dr. Gould

Getting a vaccination is not so bad

My turns next

It's o-kay Cinna. We're all done now.

Clove always poses nicely for me

Strutin' the cat walk

Doing the "Blue Steel" look

Somehow Cinnamon always ends up in the shadows. 

She is elusive when tying to get a good photo of her.

Shhh I'm an undercover cat

with a British accent - Agent Silly Bean  at your service (aka Winky)

Cinnamon on my lap.


December 11th - nine weeks old - Tuesday the kittens will go into the vet for their exams and vaccinations. This past week Clove and Cinnamon got to visit with their families. Cinnamon was more playful this visit. She is getting past the scare her momma gave her by growling during the first visit. Clove absolutely loved his owner and was quite fascinated by the new scents he sniffed. 

Clove at nine weeks of age

Clove

Ginger at nine weeks of age

Ginger

Cinnamon at nine weeks of age

Cinnamon

Cinnamon

Momma gets everyone cleaned up for their photos

The best place to sit and wait, Clove


December 10th - Earlier this week I witnessed each of the kittens using the litter box. They are all back to normal. Playtime is lots or running combined with attacking toys and growling. Last night Clove fell asleep on my lap. The he realized Momma was in the bed next to us so he had to go nurse. Then he wanted to be in my lap, then he looked at momma again and nursed , he was torn. He ended up draping himself across me reaching to momma so he could do both, lol. It was about that time that Momma decided it was bed time and she called them all back to the office. Momma has realized she can't control them now so when its time to round them up she picks up the fox toy by the scruff, (as if it were a kitten or is it wild dinner?), she carries it around calling to them to come with her.

Somebody picked up all our toys, Cinnamon

Cinnamon

Ginger ready to pounce

Clove, Cinnamon and Ginger

Ginger

Cinnamon and Clove

Clove


December 5th - The kittens are doing very well. No one has decided to go up the tree, lol. I did remove some of the lowest branches that touched the floor. They were just too much fun to bat at. We started hearing growling this week. They discovered fur toys and those always bring on the growling. "its mine and I'm not sharing". Grainne has decided she is done with these kittens. They are getting pretty used to her hissing at them. Her way of saying don't invade my personal space circle, lol. But she is torn, several times a day she will try to get them to play chase with her. Then there are the stairs. When they play race up the stairs she so wants to play it with them too. I wonder if she is in a false pregnancy (she hasn't been bred) and her hormones are confused.

I need to get more photos of Cinnamon when she isn't asleep. When we are all playing she keeps crawling onto my lap but I never have the camera close enough.

Ginger

Sleepy Ginger

Clove

Cinnamon and Clove

Sleeping Cinnamon

Clove

Clove and Cinnamon

Earlier this week we received the results of the expanded diarrhea panel, all negative. Great news. I decided to stop the probiotic and as soon as I did we started to see improvements in the litter box. The kittens have never shown any change in behavior with this. I think maybe what happened was that at about six weeks they lose their immunities from Mom and their own immune systems must step up and come on line. A major part of the immune system in located in the gut. Maybe they just needed to get their systems balanced and working well.

December 4th - eight weeks old -

Ginger & Clove

Cinnamon

Sleepy Cinnamon

Ginger

Sunset Boulevard was on...Norma Desmond impression

Clove


November  30th


November  29th -

 


November  27th - seven weeks old - I was hoping I would have more solid information then I do  before I had to write the kittens next diary entry. I called the Vet today and the answers I needed will not be available until after the weekend now. This week we have been dealing with a gastric disturbance in the kittens. I first noticed Monday afternoon when I was with Clove when he used the litter box that his stool was a little softer then it should be. I immediately picked it up and we ran it to the Vet's office for a stool test. When I think about it I do believe the first sign of this was actually on Sunday when we saw that Ginger had some yuck stuck on the bottom of his foot. The test results came back negative. That's great but I really need to find out what was actually tested for. I asked about a specific pathogen and no that wasn't in the test. So I requested a more extensive diarrhea panel be done. Those are the results I hoped to have by today. I am very concerned we may have picked something up at our hospital visit. When I look back at the time frame this emerged within a two week incubation period from our last visit on the 9th. We have never ever had infectious (pathogenic) diarrhea in our kittens in the more then ten years we have been breeding and have been very proud of this track record. The other possibility is they ate some of the queen food and it upset their systems. I use queen food as treats for kittens but I introduce it in tiny bits, not as a meal, when they are around 9 weeks.

We have made some litter box changes to aid in protecting the cats. We switched to a clumping clay based litter and have set their little box inside a large hooded box to limit tracking.

From what I see in their litter box all three kittens are affected but the Moms are not. The kittens are not acting sick. They run around here like crazy and attack toys with gusto. We are limiting their playtime outside of the office to supervised play only, no free run of the house. They come out and play and when they fall asleep, in the nest behind the sofa, we take them back to the kitten room. If we don't they don't think to go back to drink water and I want them keeping as hydrated as possible. They are eating well too. The Vet recommended I begin giving them kitty digestive probiotics. Ginger and Cinnamon are very good about taking theirs but Clove not so much but he drinks it while showing he's not happy with me. He just hates being scruffed in general.

 

Trying to get birthday photos was a challenge with them on the move all the time.

Cinnamon

What she really wanted was to take it away to her secret stash.

We played tug-o-war

Ginger sat still for about a minute in the dining room.

I've been wondering if his mask will color the same around his eye.

If the blood flow would be different or not. Looks like its starting to get color.

Clove, " I'm not happy you made me take that probiotic stuff Meowmy."

Clove - This was a good shot too bad the sun went behind a cloud. lol

Cinnamon and Clove are getting harder to tell apart and this photo is a good example.

I had in my mind that this was Cinnamon but when I look at the photos today of Cinnamon and Clove the mask between the eyes is narrower on Clove then Cinnamon.  I think may be Clove? 


November  23rd - We had some family visits this weekend. A little bit earlier then usual. The kittens are doing so well and with the holiday coming we decided to give it a try. I may have made a mistake. When Cinnamon's owner arrived they were all in my office sleepy. We both went in to see them (mistake). Momma started growling, like she does being protective momma. This set Cinnamon into a fear mode. Her personality did a complete 180. My outgoing no problem girl was on edge the whole visit. Momma was friends within 5 mins and rubbing on and getting love from Michelle but Cinnamon was having none. We are going to have to work on building up her confidence.

Clove put on a great show of playing and being out going. Ginger was also out playing and bopping around in Ginger style, lol. Cinnamon would come out to play drawn in my the allure of the toys but she would skitter away to the safety of cover also. We had A second family visit the next day and Cinnamon did better. I made sure we let the kittens come out to us this time. I think Cinnamon will gain back her confidence as she matures and has more positive experiences.


November  20th - six weeks old - Today is going to be our last weigh in. The kittens are doing very well. This week we have been working on getting comfortable in a larger environment. They take turns being out in the rest of the house then return to eat and use the litter box.  They favor the nest behind the sofa over the one in the kitten room. They are all very soft but  each ones fur it a tiny bit different. Cinnamon is super soft. Her fur feels very fine. Clove is also very soft but I can feel more of his top coat hairs. Of the three Ginger has the most course hair. He's still soft and as we can see fluffy, lol. The sun was too bright for photos today. Some are a bit shaded and other a bit washed out, which means the colors are a bit off.
Cinnamon

Cinnamon

Cinnamon

Cinnamon

Cinnamon

Cinnamon

Clove

If I had thumbs....

....I'd write you a love letter.

Ginger

Drinking out of the big bowl with Momma

bi-weekly weigh in...... 

Ginger is 1lb 11 ounces = 768 grams - up 57 grams

Cinnamon is 1lb.  13.5 ounces = 840 grams - up 85 grams

Clove is 2 lb. 1.25 ounces = 947 grams - up 96 grams 


November  17th - Its getting difficult to weigh the kittens on my baby scale. No one wants to stand still that long, lol.
bi-weekly weigh in...... 

Ginger is 1lb 9 ounces = 712 grams - up 85 grams

Cinnamon is 1lb.  10.5 ounces = 755 grams - up 96 grams

Clove is 1lb. 13.9 ounces = 850.5 grams - up 64 grams 


November  14th - All three kittens were out in the living room last night. No scouting from hidey holes. We were entertaining so it was not a quiet room either. First thing this morning I found Clove up in the tube on the cat tree. He has mastered level two, lol. This morning momma was also very happy when she finally got all three into the bed behind the sofa corner in the living room.

Ginger sleeping in the tube.

I had to take a photo of Cinnamon when I saw her sleeping like this. Her head is on the left.


November  13th - five weeks old - The kittens are making great strides this week. Ginger doesn't seem to know he should be just a tiny bit concerned about new things, lol. If I am involved or his momma is then its no big deal to him. Today was the first day we opened the rest of the house for the kittens to explore. He walked right out and went right into the living room looking about. No sneaking from safe place to safe place for him. Momma wanted him behind the sofa and tried to scruff and drag, no way he cried. The other two came out into the hall, dining room but them went back. It doesn't help that sister momma Grainne is calling (in heat). Ginger tried and tried to get up the first stair step. He would jump up and his fat little belly would keep him from making it up. He just a tiny bit to small yet. He was first up on the window condo and first up on the first level of the cat tree today too. Cinnamon was quick to follow him up too. Clove has decided he must assist me with my daily swiffering of the floor. Little sister you better get on your kibble meals or your brother is going to pass you up. I think he will anyway being a male, lol.

I'm ready to be weighed

bi-weekly weigh in...... 

Ginger is 1lb 6 ounces = 626 grams - up 103 grams

Cinnamon is 1lb.  7.1 ounces = 658 grams - up 64 grams

Clove is 1lb. 11.6 ounces = 786 grams - up 103 grams 

Momma Fenya and Clove

Cinnamon and Clove

Going up

Wait I gotta wash and slick back my fur for photos!

Oh man your taking photos anyway?

Go ahead and take the photos *sigh*

Ginger 5 weeks of age

Cinnamon 5 weeks of age

Wait for me Ginger

How did you get up there?

Ill figure it out myself. I'll get up there when he's not there.

I did it, now this is my space, mine, mine, all mine.

Clove and Ginger - I got him, I got him.

Clove 5 weeks of age


November  10th - Today's weights reflect the changes that have been happening the past few days. Clove is fully onto baby cat kibble. He  showed me he knew how to use the litter box on Saturday. I haven't seen Cinnamon or Ginger use the litter but since we have no accidents the past few days I would deduce they are also using it. Cinnamon is still nursing but she eats little bits of kibble too. I have been steadily reducing feeding for Ginger since he started eating kibble. I cut to three a day. He would eat less of my milk  then go eat kibble too. So I cut down to no KMR feedings today. He is still nursing too.
bi-weekly weigh in...... 

Ginger is 1lb 2.75 ounces = 523 grams - up 53 grams

Cinnamon is 1lb.  4.9 ounces =594 grams - up 82 grams

Clove is 1lb. 8 ounces = 683 grams - up 114 grams 

Last night the kittens went for a car ride. Ginger went for an eye check.  After trying to open his eye gently, it didn't open,   and not observing and fluid Dr. Schaefer said we should just let it be and observe it for the time being. She may try to open it when he is out for his neuter surgery. (scheduled for the week of Christmas) She said it doesn't seem to bother him at all and he showed no signs that having it messed with was painful. He was very good while being examined. He is a happy bouncy kitten. Dr. Gould said his open eye is bluer then any chocolate kittens eye she has ever seen.  Maybe but I think she is just not used to seeing their eyes during color development at this early stage. The staff also decided they have re-named him Capt Jack Sparrow, lol. They think Ginger is a yellow tabby not a Siamese.
Cinnamon was madly chasing the spider toy around this morning. When I tried to film her of course it was not as good as the original chase. My fail not hers, lol. Trying to keep her in camera frame and drag the spider didn't work so well for me.

Cinnamon was madly chasing the spider toy around this morning. When I tried to film her of course it was not as good as the original chase. My fail not hers, lol. Trying to keep her in camera frame and drag the spider didn't work so well for me.

 

Cinnamon

It appears the seals feel being snuggled outside the bed is just as good and snuggled inside the bed.

Clove

Ginger

Cinnamon and Ginger nursing


November 6th - four weeks old - The kittens are out and about, in the condo. They can walk up the step up into the cabinet now. I suspect we will be seeing vertical movement soon.

Morning weigh in...... 

Ginger is 1lb .5 ounces = 470 grams - up 3.5 grams

Cinnamon is 1  2 ounces =512.5 grams - up 21 grams

Clove is 1lb. 4 ounces = 569 grams - up 17.8 grams 

 Now that the kittens have all reached 1 pound and are all starting to eat solid food we will move to weighing them twice a week.

Ginger 4 weeks of age

Ginger

Unfortunately Cinnamon  ended up being too much in the shadows making her photos darker.

Cinnamon 4 weeks of age

Cinnamon in the sun

Clove 4 weeks of age

Clove

Don't get me. I only get you!


November 5th -

Morning weigh in...... 

Ginger is 1lb .4 ounces = 466 grams - up 25 grams

Cinnamon is 1  1.25 ounces =491 grams - up 14.2 grams

Clove is 1lb. 3.75 ounces = 552 grams - up 10.7 grams 

All I did was bite Grainne's tail and she grabbed me and held me down and bit me back. 

Now I know not to bite hard.


November 4th - The kittens are gaining confidence and are out and about alot. We expanded the run space to include the feeding area and  littler box. We added shallow training bowls with water and baby cat kibble. and the training litter box. I keep hearing Clove yelping. He doesn't like his siblings biting on his legs now that their teeth are sharp. They will all teach each other not to bite hard.

Morning weigh in...... 

Ginger is 15.5 ounces = 441 grams - up 7.1 grams

Cinnamon is 1  0.75 ounces =477 grams - up 14.2 grams

Clove is 1lb. 3 ounces = 541 grams - up 39 grams ( I went back and reweighed him when I saw this gain, lol)


November 3rd -All the kittens run out to see me now. Usually Clove is first out. Cinnamon always crawls up to snuggle into my lap while I feed Ginger. She has twice insisted she needs a little treat too, lol. Just a little taste. Not a meal.

Morning weigh in...... 

Ginger is 15.25 ounces = 434 grams - up 21 grams

Cinnamon is 1  0.25 ounces =462 grams - up 17.8 grams

Clove is 1lb. 1.6 ounces = 502 grams - up 10.7 grams


November 2nd - I've seen both Cinnamon and Clove pick up the sparkle ball in their mouth. Playtime for all the kittens is mostly attacking and biting each other, lol. They are teething on everything.

Morning weigh in...... 

Ginger is 14.5 ounces = 413 grams - up 10.7 grams

Cinnamon is 15.6 ounces =445 grams - up 14.2 grams

Clove is 1lb. 1.25 ounces = 491 grams - up 10.7 grams

Cinnamon on my lap. She's sleepy after nursing.

Clove

Clove - I dont think you can tell from these pictures but clove has huge paws. 

Compared to Cinnamon and Gingers oval paws they look like they are big boned. 

I bet he ends up big. like his paws.

Wrestling


November 1st

Morning weigh in...... 

Ginger is 14.1 ounces = 402 grams - up 17.8 grams

Cinnamon is 15.1 ounces =430 grams - up 17.8 grams

Clove is 1lb. 0.9 ounces = 480 grams - up 17.8 grams

October 31st - Clove reached one pound today. The kittens are mouthing everything. I feel their baby teeth cutting through their gums. When I come in to feed Ginger they all now run to the front of the nest and talk to me. Clove and Cinnamon are starting to venture out.

Morning weigh in...... 

Ginger is 13.5 ounces = 384 grams - up 17.8 grams

Cinnamon is 14.5 ounces =413 grams - up 10.7 grams

Clove is 1lb. 0.25 ounces = 463 grams - up 17.8 grams


October 30th - three weeks old -As Ginger grows I'm increasing the amount of KMR I mix up for him. Yesterday I mixed up two tablespoons plus a teaspoon of powder and he ate it all by the end of the day. This morning I mixed three tablespoons of powder up for him.  He is doing very well. He has no fear of coming out of the cabinet. Clove and Cinnamon are learning from him and have begun to come out into a bed I have placed in front of  the opening. Their eyes are fully developing and now they are working on focusing and tracking.

Clove

Morning weigh in...... 

Ginger is 12.9 ounces = 366.5 grams - up 17.8 grams

Cinnamon is 14.1 ounces =402 grams - up 7.1 grams

Clove is 15.6 ounces = 445 grams - up 28.5 grams

The kittens have started grooming themselves and each other (three weeks old).

Ginger at 3 weeks of age

Cinnamon at 3 weeks of age

Clove at 3 weeks of age


October 29th

Morning weigh in...... 

Ginger is 12.25 ounces = 349 grams - up 21 grams

Cinnamon is 13.9 ounces =395 grams - up 14.2 grams

Clove is 14.6 ounces = 416 grams - up 14.2 grams


October 28th

Morning weigh in...... 

Ginger is 11.5 ounces = 327 grams - up 7.1 grams

Cinnamon is 13.4 ounces =380.8 grams - up 17.8 grams

Clove is 14.1 ounces = 402 grams - up 17.8 grams


October 27th - Last night everyone got to go for a ride to the Animal Hospital. Ginger had an appointment to see the doctor about his eye that hasn't opened. My feeling looking at him was that his eyeball was missing. The Doctor said it's more likely the eyeball is there but its small. Kittens born with this condition are blind in the smaller eye. Its called idiopathic unilateral microphthalmia. Idiopathic meaning there is no known cause (not genetic). Its an error of nature that happened during development. If your a breeder long enough you get to experience anomolies of nature. We won't know if the eye is there or not until the eye opens.The doctor said about half of the kittens with this can develop infections of the eye. She tried to soak and open the lid a bit. She got a little bit of fluid out and looked at it under a microscope. There were a few neutrophils present. With the eye being closed we can't put any drops into the eye.  Ginger is acting quite normal, actually exceptional. So for now we will do warm compresses every time we feed him with the hope the eye will open on its own. We have a follow up appointment in two weeks. If Ginger shows any sign of decline (infection) we will go sooner.

This morning Ginger was out and about making Grainne very nervous and in the end Momma scruffed him and carried him back into the cabinet nest.

Morning weigh in...... 

Ginger is 11.25 ounces = 320 grams - up 10.7 grams

Cinnamon is 12.75 ounces =363 grams - up 14.2 grams

Clove is 13.5 ounces = 3784.3 grams - up 10.7 grams

I'm out and walking about.

Don't be so nervous Grainne

I'm fluffier (more undercoat) then my siblings a sign of genetic diversity.

 I don't have long hair. Its just my baby coat.

My Momma and Papa have both been genetically tested for the long hair gene. 

They don't have it so I couldn't inherit it from them.

My siblings are sleeping while I'm exploring.

See Clove's pink tummy? He has next to no fur on his tummy. 

A very close top coat with little under coat.

It was fun to explore and talk to you today.


October 26th - All the kittens are doing well. They are starting to walk about the nest and are curious about what lies outside the cabinet. I can see their pupils are developing and blue is coming into their eyes. I'll try to get some eye photos this week. Ginger is so funny. He knows the milk lady's voice and comes to me for his feeding. Such a good baby and a good burp-per too, lol. He's trying hard to catch up to his siblings but they are alternating big gains too. He nurses after I feed him so he is still getting that good developmental momma time. I have offered milk to Cinnamon and Clove and they refuse it. I think once I got Clove strong he pushed Ginger aside and took over his share.

Morning weigh in...... 

Ginger is 10.9 ounces = 309.6 grams - up 25 grams

Cinnamon is 12.25 ounces =349 grams - up 17.8 grams

Clove is 13.1 ounces = 374 grams - up 14.2 grams

This video post from our Facebook page shows why I think Ginger hasn't been getting enough milk. He's just not willing to fight to get a nipple and they all decided they would share two nipples early on.

I'm feeding Ginger. I mix up two tablespoons of kitten milk replacer powder with four tablespoons of water a day. That's not a full diet. They need two tablespoons of formula liquid per four ounces of body weight a day. He now weighs almost 11 ounces. He clearly wants to nurse and will nurse after feeding but he doesn't seem to be able to out fox his siblings and they decided they would share two of Momma's nipples. Ginger has such a cute personality. So sweet and calm. When he hears me he runs to me asking for milk.

 

Is the milk lady here?

Grainne licking off Ginger's milk beard

Its milk time again, Here I come milk lady!


October 25th - I'm now offering Ginger milk replacer every 3 hours or so with no feedings at night.  He sucks it down hungrily. The reason I'm not going every two hours a normal feeding schedule for a kitten is that I want him demanding milk from Momma and getting as much milk from her as possible. I just here to boost calories so he can grow normally. He is sucking so hard on the dropper that I tried to use a bottle. He reused the rubble nipple. I've never had success with bottle feeding. The dropper always works for my kittens.

Morning weigh in...... 

Ginger is 10 ounces = 285 grams - up  21 grams

Cinnamon is 11.5 ounces = 331 grams - down  3.5 grams (given the huge gain yesterday I'm not worried)

Clove is 12.6 ounces = 359 grams - up 32 grams


October 24th -  

Morning weigh in...... 

Ginger is 9.25 ounces = 263 grams - up 14.2 grams 

Cinnamon is 11.75 ounces = 334.5 grams - up 35.5 grams (wow)

Clove is 11.5 ounces = 327 grams - up 3.6 grams


October 23rd - two weeks old - My biggest concern this morning is not Gingers eye but his weight. Despite two big feedings yesterday and I do see he is still nursing, and I fed him this morning before the weigh in he only gained 3 grams. I'm going to increase kitten milk replacer offerings to three time a day. Cinnamon and Clove appear to be switching off on who gets the lions share of momma's milk. They also look like they are going to have dark black points with the way their color is coming in.

Morning weigh in...... 

Ginger is 8.75 ounces = 249 grams - up  3.5 grams

Cinnamon is 10.5 ounces = 299 grams - up 7.1 grams

Clove is 11.4 ounces = 324 grams - up 25 grams

Ginger at two weeks of age

Cinnamon at two weeks of age

Clove at two weeks of age


October 22nd - Last night I removed the nest bedding and put in flat goods to allow for more room. Now that Grainne is a fussing protector and bath giver they need more room. When I came in this morning  Clove came running out of cabinet and into the bed in front yelling for me. He was very hungry and wanted kitten milk. He sucked down 6 droppers full. Tonight he again sucked down 4 droppers full.

Morning weigh in...... 

Ginger is 8.6 ounces = 245.5 grams - up  14.2  grams

Cinnamon is 10.25 ounces = 292 grams - up 21 grams

Clove is 10.5 ounces = 299 grams - up 10.7 grams


October 21st - All the kittens were nursing this morning so I decided not to offer milk. I'm still wanting momma's milk to increase to meet the demand. I will offer it tonight. The kittens are all getting lots of love from their "momma's".

Morning weigh in...... 

Ginger is 8.1 ounces = 231 grams - up  7.1  grams

Cinnamon is 9.5 ounces = 270.5 grams - up 14.2 grams

Clove is 10.1 ounces = 288 grams - up 24.9 grams

 

Ginger

Cinnamon

And Mr. Sassy Pants Clove


October 20th - Ginger didn't want my milk this morning but tonight he sucked down two droppers full.

Morning weigh in...... 

Ginger is 7.8 ounces = 224 grams - up  7.1  grams

Cinnamon is 9 ounces = 256 grams - up 14.2 grams

Clove is 9.25 ounces = 263 grams - up 7.1 grams


October 19th - Cinnamon and Clove are eat6ing up all the milk and leaving none for Ginger. This morning I officered kitten milk replacer to Clove and he lapped up a dropper full.

Morning weigh in...... 

Ginger is 7.6 ounces = 217 grams - up  0  grams

Cinnamon is 8.5 ounces = 242 grams - up 21.4 grams

Clove is 9 ounces = 256 grams - up 21.4 grams


October 18th -  Clove has had some big weight gains and is now the leader. Ginger needs to have a nice big gain too. He is falling to the smallest now. I believe Ginger is going to teach us about something that we have had no past experience with. I believe he has a congenital defect with his eye. Its not opening and when I look at the symmetry of his eyes he does not have the equal roundness of the eyeball on the left side. I talked to Dr. Gould and she said give it some time. He may end up being a Pirate cat. He has the sweetest personality. So calm and loves to be held and stroked.

Morning weigh in...... 

Ginger is 7.6 ounces = 217 grams - up  7.1  grams

Cinnamon is 7.75 ounces = 220.7 grams - up 10.7 grams

Clove is 8.25 ounces = 235 grams - up 21 grams

Ginger

The beautiful Miss Cinnamon

Clove - Momma says no more photos. We'll have to try for a better one next time.

October 17th -  

Morning weigh in...... 

Ginger is 7.4 ounces = 210 grams - up  7.1  grams

Cinnamon is 7.4 ounces = 210 grams - up 21 grams

Clove is 7.5 ounces = 213.5 grams - up 14.2 grams


October 16th - one week old -  Looks like Clove ate more then his share of food today, lol. He has caught up to Ginger. They are all now pretty close to being the same weight. All eyes are open except Gingers left eye.

Morning weigh in...... 

Ginger is 7.1 ounces = 203 grams - up  3.6  grams

Cinnamon is 6.6 ounces = 171 grams - up 17.8 grams

Clove is 7 ounces = 199 grams - up 25 grams

Clove and momma Fen

Cinnamon sleeping her little feet were twitching

Left to right- Ginger, Cinnamon and Clove


October 15th - six days old - The kittens did very well with no supplemental feeding today. 

Morning weigh in...... 

Ginger is 7 ounces = 199 grams - up  14.2  grams

Cinnamon is 6 ounces = 171 grams - up 10.7 grams

Clove is 6.1 ounces = 174 grams - up 14.2 grams


October 14th - five days old - I'm going to stop offering supplemental feedings. Last night  and this morning Clove took a very minimal amount of kitten milk from me. His tummy is round and fat and I can no longer feel his bones like I could. I think maybe we are over the hump. We will watch the weights and see if Momma's supply is good now.

 Ginger, " Someone tag me out!"

Ginger

 Cinnamon

Clove

Trying to sex them. I'm pretty sure Clove is a boy. Ginger looks like a girl? And I don't know yet with Cinnamon. Maybe a boy but its just not clear for me yet.

Morning weigh in...... 

Ginger is 6.5 ounces = 185 grams - up  17.8  grams

Cinnamon is 5.6 ounces = 160 grams - up 17.8 grams

Clove is 5.6 ounces = 160 grams - up 21.4 grams


October 13th - four days old - weights are looking good. Last night Clove only wanted half a dropper and again this morning only half a dropper. His little tummy is round and full :)

Morning weigh in...... 

Ginger is 5.9 ounces = 167 grams - up  10.7  grams

Cinnamon is 5 ounces = 142 grams - up 17.8 grams

Clove is 4.9 ounces = 139 grams - up 21.4 grams


October 12th - three days old - I did the weigh in after feeding the kittens this morning. Clove sucked down two droppers this morning. Cinnamon ate a little and Ginger wanted nothing to do with it. After feeding they all latched on and continued nursing with momma. Its pretty clear from their nose leather color that we have a chocolate and two seals.

Morning weigh in...... 

Ginger is 5.5 ounces = 156.6 grams - up  10.7  grams

Cinnamon is 4.4 ounces = 124.6 grams - up 21.4 grams

Clove is 4.1 ounces = 117 grams - up 21.4 grams

Ginger, Cinnamon, & Clove

Ginger

Cinnamon

Clove


October 11th - two days old - I really don't like the weight gains and how pitifully and aggressively Clove nurses on what is clearly an empty nipple. I've decided to offer a couple feedings to help the kittens get what they need until Momma gets her milk production up to the demand. I'm trying to give a little boost without causing the negative effect of decreasing her production. Kittens eat maybe a tablespoon of kitten milk replacer a day. I use an eye dropper. A dropper or two at a feeding is normal at this age. I offered it to Clove first once he settled down and realized it was food she sucked on the dropper. Clearly hungry. I also offered it to Cinnamon who drank a little bit. Ginger wanted no part of it. I offered it to Ginger with the thought that if she drank some there would be more of momma's milk for the other kittens. Eyes are opening today.

Morning weigh in...... 

Ginger is 5.1 ounces = 146 grams - up  17.8  grams

Cinnamon is 3.6 ounces = 103 grams - up  0 grams

Clove is 3.3 ounces = 96 grams - up 3.6 grams

Cinnamon, Ginger, & Clove

Ginger

Cinnamon

Clove


October 10th - one day old - It struck me today that Ginger is really a traditional Siamese. Ginger looks larger because he/she is built traditional, has that thicker fluffier plush coat, and rounder head of a traditional Siamese.

Ginger isn't bothered one bit by being held, very relaxed in hand. Cinnamon did well to but was more alert to what was happening. Clove yelled at first then settled down. I think Clove's was more a yell of where's my nipple then anything else, lol.

left to right - Clove, Cinnamon, & Ginger

Morning weigh in...... 

Ginger is 4.5 ounces = 128 grams - up  17.8  grams

Cinnamon is 3.6 ounces = 103 grams - up  21 grams

Clove is 3.25 ounces = 92.5 grams - up 10.7 grams

This must be why Clove was so irritated with nursing. Cinnamon was eating up half of Clove's milk. I hope Cinnamon takes a break today and allows Clove to fill up full.

 

From our facebook page last night:
Fenya's 12 hour old Siamese kittens

I did a quick check on weights and they all gained nicely today. Left to right Clove, Cinnamon, & Ginger. Clove has nursed with lots of enthusiasm or was it impatience....A very expressive newborn when it was fussing to latch on. Lots of cute vocalizations. I wish I had recorded them. I was more worried about getting latched on and feeding at the time then filming. I think Ginger had a few extra days of gestation to fatten up. Momma was holding off labor for Clove and Cinnamon. Not much padding on them but they are going to add that on quickly.


October 9th - birth day - Fenya pushed her due date out to 69 days this time. I checked her at 1:30am and she was showing no signs of impending labor so I went to bed. When Tom checked on her at 5:30am she had delivered all five kittens. She had cleaned them all. Three were nestled with her and two were together in a wet part of the nest they were either still born or died of hypothermia. One of them showed signs of trauma its belly was purple. Perhaps a difficult delivery and couldn't survive and also kept its sibling from getting air soon enough too? Momma Fen cleaned them and set them aside to protect the other newborns. Hypothermia is the leading cause of neonatal death in newborn kittens. They cannot maintain their own body heat so if they are not close to momma absorbing her body heat they get too cold and die.

We have three healthy babies. The largest looks to be a chocolate point and the other two are the same weight. One definitely looks seal point. The third is in between in fur color so I reserve judgment on its color until noses start to color up. I set with them for an hour making sure each one had latched on and nursed. Momma did not want to stay with them. She delivered in a bed under the desk not in her birthing box. We tried to get her to use the box but she wouldn't so we have settled them into a clean bed under the desk. Grainne is keeping a close eye on them but has not joined the nest yet. I suspect she is respecting their bonding time with their momma and will join them in a day or so. She was Fenya's close and constant companion leading up to their birth.

This one has the white coat of a chocolate point

I'm seeing this one as a seal point

To go along with the current craze were making this our Pumpkin Spice litter.

The Stats at birth  

#1 ?:00 am  whiteGinger – 110.321 grams (3.875 ounces) born after 1:30am

#2 ?:00 am  blueCinnamon  – 81.851 grams (2.875 ounces) 

#3 ?:00 am  red Clove – 81.851 grams (2.875 ounces) 

#4 ?:00? am  – None – 64.058 grams (2.25 ounces) 

#5 ?:00 am   – None – 99.645 grams (3.5 ounces) 

I have not determined sex of the kittens. Their names and my calling them him, he, her or she is not a reflection of their true sex. It can be very difficult to determine sex at this age.

 


September 25, 2015 - Fenya went in to see Dr. Gould for her kitten count. The x-rays are really difficult for me to read. The doctor thinks their are four maybe five kittens. My count is three for sure.


               

               

 

           


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