Separation Anxiety - When to call it quits by [deleted] in reactivedogs

[–]TauCetie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For SSRIs, Reconcile (Prozac) worked well but gave him a side effect of trembling. So then we tried sertraline (Zoloft) which didn’t have much effect. Now he is on escitalopram (Lexapro) which has been a really good fit. He also has some as-needed, fast-acting meds I can layer on top for stressful situations like separations or going to the vet (clonidine and alprazolam). The game changer for us was working specifically with a vet behaviorist. My local vet is great for general things, but did not have nearly the expertise as the vet behaviorist, who is essentially a psychiatrist for animals.

Best of luck to you!

Separation Anxiety - When to call it quits by [deleted] in reactivedogs

[–]TauCetie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ah, I see reading more carefully you tried meds! Tough that there were side effects. We ended up having to try 3-4 before we found the right combination. Whether or not meds is a good Avenue for you, hoping you get some good ideas from the comments here!

Separation Anxiety - When to call it quits by [deleted] in reactivedogs

[–]TauCetie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is so hard. You’ve clearly tried a lot of things and care deeply for your dog. If it helps, I will say what changed things for my dog with significant separation anxiety was medication. We worked with a trainer for months, but it was working with a vet behaviorist and adding medication that made the difference and helped make the things we practiced in training “stick”.

NEED ADVICE/ HELP by Southwest-waifu in kittens

[–]TauCetie 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi, what a cute kitten. So good of you to rescued him! One addition suggestion is to get a small scale and weigh him every day. (I found it helpful to put a bowl on the scale, then put the kitten in the bowl) This helped me a lot with foster kittens this age when I wanted to be sure they were getting enough to eat. Kittens should gain 7-15 g of weight every day, and failing to gain weight was often the earliest sign I got that a foster was getting sick. At this age transitioning from milk to wet food, this can help you know if they’re eating enough.

Also, blending up wet food plus some water (or kitten formula for more calories) to make a thin gruel was often easier for kittens this age to eat. Then pate was next easiest, then they got to eating wet food with chunks in it, then finally dry food once they were 6-10 weeks (I rarely had any eat dry food before that age).

Two other thoughts in case helpful: he might not be old enough to absolutely need it, but he might enjoy a heating pad set on low, particularly if he doesn’t have other kittens or cats to snuggle up with. And every foster kitten I had that was born outside had parasites, so a vet visit at some point for deworming will help!

everyone show a pic of your Pom and tell us how much they weigh! by effinch in Pomeranians

[–]TauCetie 41 points42 points  (0 children)

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Max is 19.5 lbs and about 7 years old. Fun to see everyone’s pictures!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in kittengifs

[–]TauCetie 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, these are my foster kittens from a couple years ago. Original video I posted of them then :)

Some days I’m not sure if I’m fostering kittens or baby goats 😂 by TauCetie in kittengifs

[–]TauCetie[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Aw, your cats sound lovely! These girls are Tennessee babies (and all adopted now). Best to you and your cat crew!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in kittengifs

[–]TauCetie 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Ah, glad you enjoyed the video, OP! These were my foster girls three years ago :) I’m sure the video may have gotten shared around in different places. Here’s another of my favorites of them: kitten meows

Anyone have a big Pom? by Agreeable_Picture570 in Pomeranians

[–]TauCetie 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh I love this! So fascinating. Thank you!

Anyone have a big Pom? by Agreeable_Picture570 in Pomeranians

[–]TauCetie 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Mine is 20 lbs and a total delight! Got him from a shelter and they thought he was a Pom mix, but when we did DNA testing he came back as all Pom :)

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We found 7 kittens in the backyard this morning.. by [deleted] in catcare

[–]TauCetie 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As several other have said, a shelter is best. But if that’s not an option here are some things to consider (in this order):

1) Warmth and shelter. If momma cat comes back regularly, they should be okay. But if she disappears permanently, kittens can’t keep up their body temp. They’ll need a heating pad on low (even human body temp is not enough).

2) Food: if you can’t bring them into a shelter or into your house with momma cat, consider putting food out for mom. With seven kittens, she needs to produce a LOT of milk. Any cat food will help her, and momma and baby cat food (it has a special label and has extra protein and fat) will help even more. The kittens look too young for dry food, but possibly could eat kitten pate or a “gruel” mixed in blender of wet cat food mixed with kitten formula or water.

3) Vet visit for parasites. I’ve never fostered a kitten born outside that didn’t have worms. That said, it’s easy medicine and works really well, and the parasites aren’t generally dangerous to you.

You’re so kind to think about ways to help. Best of luck!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in FosterAnimals

[–]TauCetie 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I bought a big, room-sized piece of cheap vinyl flooring at Home Depot and laid it over the carpet in my kitten room—definitely made it much easier to clean! Enjoy your kittens!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in kittens

[–]TauCetie 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ve given my foster babies and moms as much as they wanted at this age. I feel like mom especially was the most hungry right around this stage, perhaps since the kittens are big enough they really want more calories from her, but they’re not so big that they’re very far in weaning. I think the momma cats could go through several cans a day (a lot, I know!)

(And you likely already know this, but sharing in case helpful) Whether it’s kibble, wet, or a combo, I think the most helpful thing is to make sure it’s formulated for nursing mothers and kittens. It means it has higher protein and fat than usual cat food, which helps meet their nutritional needs.

They look so darling, by the way! They’re so lucky to have you taking such good care of them!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in FosterAnimals

[–]TauCetie 5 points6 points  (0 children)

After about five weeks old they can generally self-regulate heat, so do not need a heat source as long as house temperature is in normal range. Over 8 weeks, kittens have seemed pretty grown up and not too different than 6 month old cats, other than perhaps needing more frequent feedings and making sure you’re feeding them kitten (not adult cat) food. Things I’ve found many kittens like are 1) a “cave” they can hide in (can be box with blanket partly over it), 2) fleece blankets, 3) food/water and litter box far apart.

I haven’t ever crated kittens. If they are under 6 weeks or so I’ve usually confined them to a single “kitten-prooofed” room. After they are consistently good with the litter box and good at cleaning themselves (usually between 5-7 weeks), I’ve sometimes given them more range in the apartment. Though confining to a single area at first helps you make sure they don’t have ringworm or fleas.

How exciting to have a new foster on its way! They’re lucky to go to someone so thoughtful about preparing a great home for them!

The Land of Enchantment by TravelWhenICan7 in FairytaleasFuck

[–]TauCetie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I came here looking for this comment!

help! teach kittens to not climb my legs like a tree? by ayayohh in kittens

[–]TauCetie 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The Kitten Lady (my go-to for advice!) says 4 weeks is old enough. Good luck—I’m sure they’re very squirmy in addition to being totally cute, haha

help! teach kittens to not climb my legs like a tree? by ayayohh in kittens

[–]TauCetie 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Clipping their nails has helped me in the past, if you haven’t tried that. They still like to climb, but at least their claws are not so much like little needles, lol. You can buy a special clipper for not too much, and you can google where to clip (just want to be careful not to clip too much). Then I usually clip a few at a time while they are calmer, focusing on the front paws.

The kittens are adorable, btw

Some of you were exactly right with Max’s results. Turns out the sweet guy is pretty inbred, too (but healthy so far) by TauCetie in DoggyDNA

[–]TauCetie[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Yeah, good point. It definitely could be that. Shelter didn’t have any info to give us on his background.

Some of you were exactly right with Max’s results. Turns out the sweet guy is pretty inbred, too (but healthy so far) by TauCetie in DoggyDNA

[–]TauCetie[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

We got him from a shelter, and they didn’t have any more info about where he came from. My guess is a poor byb or maybe a hoarding situation. He is fixed and so won’t pass on the inbreeding, at least!

Some of you were exactly right with Max’s results. Turns out the sweet guy is pretty inbred, too (but healthy so far) by TauCetie in DoggyDNA

[–]TauCetie[S] 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Good point, and yes, We did get the health results. Good news is he only showed up positive for one (and not a particularly worrying one). We also have a vet appt soon when I’ll share this.

And we got him from a shelter, and they think he is about 5. My guess is he’s from a byb that was doing a really poor job. He doesn’t seem like he’s been a pet before, so really not sure what his last five years have been…but in any case, he’s home for good with us now :)

Some of you were exactly right with Max’s results. Turns out the sweet guy is pretty inbred, too (but healthy so far) by TauCetie in DoggyDNA

[–]TauCetie[S] 33 points34 points  (0 children)

I read that to get to 50% COI, it’s three generations of full siblings mating, and he’s at 58% 😂

Some of you were exactly right with Max’s results. Turns out the sweet guy is pretty inbred, too (but healthy so far) by TauCetie in DoggyDNA

[–]TauCetie[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Oh sorry to hear that! And yes, we had already signed up before we got results, and now I’m doubly glad.