Community Chat

[Marp]

@Yahooey, Starling has potentially serious medical issues with her heart.  I don't know what precipitated the check up but this is the first report from Shelly:

Tinykittens

August 19 at 10:47pm ·

Update on Starling, our feral 16 month old mama-to-be:

Starling's initial test results show very high levels of heart enzymes. This means her heart is having to work harder than it should, which could be why her breathing has been so fast since she arrived.

We once again find ourselves in uncharted territory because there is no precedent or data for cases like hers because they would be euthanized rather than treated. Like Skye, we believe Starling deserves a chance, and we are going to give her that chance.

If you would like to donate toward her care, specialists and tests, you may do so with our extreme gratitude at TinyKittens.com/donate.

We are SO fortunate to have Dr. F from Mountain View Veterinary Hospital, who is willing to do everything possible to find as much information as possible so we can make the most informed decisions possible.

She was able to talk to a pathologist who was able to talk to several other pathologists who said that the stress of early pregnancy can cause mildly elevated heart enzymes. All of them agreed that the level we are seeing for Starling is significantly higher than we would see if pregnancy was the sole cause.

No one knows how the stress from Starling being in captivity is influencing the test results; it seems plausible to me that stress could be responsible for some elevation, but it is unknown whether that combined with pregnancy could be sufficient to place temporary significant stress on an otherwise healthy heart. Probably not likely, but a girl can hope!

Just in case stress is a significant factor, I have added a second Feliway diffuser, reduced the lighting and changed it to be green (which we learned from NC State reduces stress while allowing visibility for monitoring), and am limiting my interaction with her for the next few days to see if we can get her respiration rate lower by reducing stress, or if it remains consistently high regardless.

You can help us monitor at TinyKittens.com/starling

We have a referral in to a cardiologist, and are monitoring Starling VERY closely in case her condition changes. The ER where the cardiologist works has all of her information and has been briefed on her case in the event I need to bring her in over the weekend. We are hoping to get an appointment with the cardiologist early next week so we can find out exactly what we're dealing with and how best to proceed.

Starling being feral and pregnant complicates everything. A potential heart condition makes surgery very risky, so we need to proceed very carefully and very thoughtfully.

Please keep Starling and her babies in your thoughts and prayers this weekend!

[Marp]

This was posted just about an hour ago:

Tinykittens

59 mins ·

Feral mama-to-be Starling hit a big milestone overnight... she played with toys!

I have never seen her play in the forest or at TK HQ, so I am taking this as a sign that she is truly starting to feel safe and comfortable. We also had a fantastic socialization session last night, where I petted and hand fed her, and she actually fell lightly asleep a few times. She stretched to give me a tiny bit more access to her belleh, and seemed to have moments where she was fairly relaxed. As long as I remained completely motionless except for my petting hand...

She remains quite fearful in general, so we still have much work ahead. These little glimpses of progress bode well for her long term happiness with humans, which is a relief because I can't return her to the forest with a heart condition.

I am hoping to hear from the cardiologist today to schedule our echocardiogram appointment so we can make a plan and about 10 backup plans to cover any possible contingency.

In the meantime, watch her on Rescue Kitten TV at TinyKittens.com/starling <3

More about our work with feral cats: TinyKittens.com/cases

[Yahooey]

Scampiness ensues - I don't know which one this is - I know it is a cutie pie.

[dooBdoo]

@Marp, @Yahooey,

          Thanks for the updates!    I've been away from the cams and Facebook pages...  I'm going to try to do some catch-up tonight.    A wave to @MyShadowLove, @flyaway, @Marianne1, and the other kitty fans, too!

[MyShadowLove]

   Waving to @Marp@Yahooey@dooBdoo & All Tiny Kitten Fans!

Whew!...Taking a little break here and I definitely have a lot of catching up to do!...We have been very busy getting MIL settled in healthcare center and also taking care of her home and getting it prepared for sale...It's all rather overwhelming, to say the least, and I'm very fortunate to have a job with flexible part-time hours and a very understanding administrative staff...I'm all over the place and sometimes I find myself roaming aimlessly around with a dazed look on my face!...LOL

Okay, back to serious business!...I see that Livestream has changed their look and format...I'm not able to scroll the page and need to to familiarize myself with their new update...I'm eager to catch up with all that has been going on!

@Marp...In glancing through the posts, I see that you have a new addition to your family!...Bless your heart!!!...Congratulations!!!!!...Maggie is adorable and I would love if you could share more about her journey and her previous 7 years...I'm so happy that she has found her way to you and will now forever be safe, loved and secure!

Okay, everyone, wishing you all a great Sunday!...I will check back in later on when I have caught up with TinyKittens and all!

[Marp]

Hi @MyShadowLove. You were missed. So sorry for all the extra stress that you've been going through. Hopefully your MIL will be as happy in a care facility as my mom is. I have absoutely zero doubt that if the decision to keep mom in the nursing home after an illness wasn't taken out of my hands one or both of us would not be here today. She has a lot less stress and so do I so both of us are in much better places. I am so glad the social worker was able to convince me that I could no longer take care of mom on my own.

All the arrangements for have been made for Maggie's homecoming. I will be meeting her current caretaker on Sunday, September 4th to bring her home. Her original owner is in a nursing home with advanced Alzheimer disease.

I expect some challenges as Maggie's world was just one person that indulged her almost to the point of cruelty. She has been with the caretaker, a family member of her owner, for a litle more than two months and reportedly has made great strides in both adapting and losing weight. She still has about 4 pounds to lose so that is going to complicate some things around here but I'll find a way to manage that won't disrupt her weight loss or make Teddy feel deprived.

I have been warned though that Maggie is a Diva and drama queen. The Diva part with fit in nicely with my Divo, Teddy. The challenge with the Diva/Divo combination will be keeping both from going too far.

I also expect some challenges with her adapting to another major change in her life but am confident that in a couple of months Maggie will be a happy, confident, integral member of the family.

After she has had a few days to recover from the trip and acclimate she will have a meet and greet appointment with my vet and I am also making an appointment with the office nutritionist to make sure Maggie reaches her ideal weight as quickly and safely as possible. If need be I will also consult with the behaviorist but I won't know if that will be necessary until she has been here for a while and can I determine what is a behavior problem and what is an idiosyncrasy.

I hate the Livestream changes. They did a beta quite a while ago and there were tons of complaints so Shelly reverted to the old format but I guess that is no longer possible. I don't watch much because I find it very hard on my eyes and chat too difficult to follow. The newest comment is always blocked from view. I haven't tried it on a mobile device but I suspect the changes were made with mobile devices the primary consideration.

Anyway, enjoy catching up with this adorable, funny family.  I'm glad you're back.

[MyShadowLove]

@Marp...Thanks so much for sharing about your Mom!...It is always so helpful to know that there are others who are going through the same and are understanding and supportive of all that is involved...I can definitely understand about the stress and when you say that you both are in "much better places" now...I am so happy and relieved for you as it definitely can take its toll...We are gradually heading to "much better places" also...MIL likes where she is and, fortunately, it is a good facility so we feel secure in knowing that she is in good care and where she needs to be...The decision was made by all, MIL included, as she is still very capable of making her own decisions and understanding the situation...She has always been a very difficult, controlling woman which has nothing to do with her being elderly, as this has always been her personality, so this was a big hurdle for us...Now, we are preparing her house for sale...Since we are in the Northeast, we would like to get it sold within the next couple of months...Then, we can breathe a huge sigh of relief!...I have been working flexible part-time hours, but I have decided to take a LOA for the next month, as there is just too much going on right now and it will help greatly to have the extra time off to get everything settled, as well as ease the stress involved for my own health...The administrative staff are very understanding of my situation so no problem there.

Maggie is so blessed to have found you!...With the changes in her life at her age, it sounds like she is doing quite well already with her current caretaker and I have no doubt that, when she arrives at your home, she will adjust in no time...I love your "Diva"/Divo" remark...LOL...Teddy and Maggie will balance each other out very well...I also have a feeling that, even though Maggie is used to receiving all of the attention, she will love having companions/playmates in her world and will be happier...Also, I have a problem with people allowing their pets to become overweight, so Maggie will definitely be much healthier and feeling the best ever under your loving care!...I am sorry to hear about her owner...such a terrible disease...and that probably contributed somewhat to Maggie becoming overweight...Please keep us updated, as I will look forward to hearing how all is going in your wonderful household...There is no doubt that Labor Day Weekend will be very exciting and challenging for you...in more ways than one!...LOL

Felicity and her babies are just too adorable for words!...Felix & Keiko are so active and playful and it is so heartwarming to see Felicity being able to enjoy this beautiful litter of hers!...They are such a beautiful family with such a strong love and bond and Felicity is totally enraptured!...I have a feeling that, when the time comes for adoption, Shelly will do all that she can to keep them together!

Starling is darling!...It is always hard for me to see them in the beginning so isolated in a room by themselves...I went back in the timeline and saw where she was allowing petting from Shelly so, hopefully, snugglers can be brought in to help with socialization and to keep her company until her babies are born...When is she due?...I read about a possible heart problem which has not been definitively diagnosed yet, so I hope that it turns out to not be anything too serious...She is in the best place possible regardless, so that is very comforting.

I checked in with Neelix & Maravel and am so happy to read that they continue to do so well...No surprise, as Jacquie is so patient and loving and her posts are so very entertaining to read...They definitely have the perfect forever home with her!

Livestream will take some getting used to...I'm not able to scroll down the page due to their updated look, so I was wondering if you and others are having the same problem?...I don't have a mobile device...just a regular cell phone and our desktop computer...That's as technical as I can handle right now!...LOL

Hope you and everyone are having a good weekend!

[Yahooey]

Welcome back @MyShadowLove - you have been missed. There certainly is a lot on your plate and I wish you the very best to take care of your whole family. 

@Marp @dooBdoo

I feel so bad for Starling. She is still so frightened with still quite a bit ot time to go before being a Mama. Shelley was trying to listen to babbehs with a blanket draped over her head. I saw her escaped and is now hiding in the space behind her home and the wall. She is eating toona off of Shelley's fingers which is a good thing. 

Every time I need a pick me up - I look at Sky's FB - she is doing so well and so happy. She is more stunning if that is possible.

[MyShadowLove]

@Yahooey...Thanks so much!...I just need to remember to keep taking deep breaths and make sure to take good care of myself also...There are many other baby boomers going through the same.

Starling touches my heart also...All of the ferals do!...I think that she is doing quite well considering that she has only been at TKHQ for a few weeks...She enjoys Shelly petting her and eats from her hand so all good signs...She is enjoying the window area which is slightly opened for her and she appears quite relaxed in her nest, although she seems to be getting a little more restless as her pregnancy progresses and has been going behind the nesting area also...I know Shelly would love to be able to get her socialized as much as possible before she gives birth, as we all know that Shelly loves to be with them to help out if needed...I'm not sure when her due date is?

I just logged in and checked on Felicity and her babies also and they are such a delight to watch...They are all playing right now and it is so heartwarming to see Felicity playing along with her adorable babies also...something she has never had the chance to do before...clearly so very happy and devoted.

TKHQ is absolutely amazing and Shelly has definitely followed her calling in life and is exactly where she was meant to be...Her work with the ferals especially has touched my heart so deeply.

@Marp...I just wanted to be sure that you saw my reply to your post from yesterday and that you didn't miss it...It came out quite loooooong so you are probably taking it chapter by chapter...LOL

[Marp]

@MyShadowLove, I did see your post from yesterday and thought I gave you a heart but either I was hallucinating or it didn't register.  I admit to being very distracted thinking about Maggie and all the questions I have to ask and preparations I have to make and what am I forgetting and, and, and LOL.

If I remember correctly Starling isn't due for another two to three weeks, perhaps a bit longer, so there is time for more progress.  She does seem a lot more comfortable in her surroundings even though still very skittish.

I'm going to go heart both your posts now while I'm paying attention to what I'm doing.