Mainly writing this to get rid of some stress and sadness. So there's we have a few stray cats around my house that we let in and feed time to time. One of them was pregnant, we called her pinky (because some how her fur was covered in pink). About 2-3 weeks ago, she finally had her Kittens, how ever she had them outside in some bushes in a really bad storm. Luckily I mange to find them, she had a total of 4 but one had already passed. We named the 3 Mini Muffin < Looks like our cat muffin SnowBall < All black kitten Cookie < Brother always names them that. Pinky was use to us so I brought her and the babies in and got them set up pretty easy. My plan was to take them in from the bad weather, let them age then send them back out when they're big enough. Everything went smooth till a few days ago. Turns out they had a cold or a respiratory infection. I sent most of the time cleaning crust and snot from their eyes and nose but I didn't mind. I've been a single father of 5 kittens before. Around this time Mini Muffin was looking a little weak. SnowBall was fine. Cookie however had some kind of attack. When I went to get him I couldn't feel its heart beat, and he pretty much looked dead. I gave it a thump on the back and it came back to life gasping for air. So yeah, scared the hell out of me but its okay. -Yesterday- 05/08/17 (MM/DD/YY) I called the shelters and none of them can take them and the vet has a $100 fee. I'm pretty much broke, cant afford a check up or meds. MiniMuff was still weak, it got worse, it wouldn't open it's eyes, barely cried and would always move away from the little nest. I noticed that it wasn't eating, so I went and bought a baby bottle and some kitten milk. When I got back he was much worse, just laying there, barely hanging on, I cleaned his face and tried feeding him, nothing. Slowly he just died, and It really broke my heart. Other 2 were okay still moving and being kittens. Pinky was still taking care of the other 2 but some reasons their face was always still crusty. -Today- 05/09/17 Noticed Snow wasn't eating much and spent most of the time sleeping. It was starting to look alot like MiniMuff. The day goes by, I clean them, keep them warm by the heater. Snow still wont eat but still seems lively. The babies have flees so I give them a bath, Snow does fine and I manage to feed em after. I start to give cookie a bath and it has another attack. Turns out shes so clogged she cant breath. She actually freaks out and kills over again. Cant feel a heart beat, thump her back again, nothing, so I gave CPR and it comes back after a few pats on the back. I just dry her off and put her back down. It freaked me and my mom out. I spent most of the day watching over Snow. He wasn't looking good at all. He would lay down and you could tell he wasn't breathing right. Cleans his nose, clean his eyes, I heard having steam from a hot shower would help, it didn't. I would feed him and he would liven up more but then go back to being ill. By this point I knew he was gonna die. This is where things get worse. I was asking my friend for some advice. I look over at the kittens and see Cookie having another attack. She passes out again but after a few secs and more CPR I brought her back. Cookie is struggling to breath/ having attacks Snow is just barely hanging, wiggling around trying to get air. Snow died about a hr or 2 ago. I was really hoping they could hold out till they were older... Cookie as of 12:26 am is still alive but, I decided I'm going to take her to the vet and get her put down. Cookies has had an attack multiple times trying to breath and nearly died 3 times. Personally, I can't just let her die or throw her out while she still sick and cant see because of her cold. It's either put her down or let her keep struggling to breath. What really makes it hard is, she look decent still. Still cries if she can and eats. It's still a baby...I really can't let her go through another 4 weeks of this. I've been pretty upset about it but, I mean it is for the best right? A baby should't have to suffer like that, some I'm taking her to the vet later today. I know it's nature and animals die everyday but, it's a experience when you have a baby struggle to breath and die in your hands or have to give CPR. I just wanted to let this out. What would yall have done?
I applaud this name and reasoning. = u = Reading this reminded me of the Calvin and Hobbes story when Calvin found a raccoon that was dying. I think the last panel said it the best: "... Death is as natural as birth, and it's all part of the life cycle. ...We don't really understand it, but there are many things we don't understand, and we just have to do the best with the knowledge we have." I can't imagine being in your situation. I would've just freaked out; it's very admirable for you to perform CPR for baby kittens. I was taught to leave stray animals alone and I have my own pet to care for, so I don't know what I would've done in your situation, but I think you did what you had to. What I do know is that you did everything in your power you could to help Cookies, Snow and MiniMuff. Every pet owner suffers the same question of putting their pet down early because it's in pain. And... it's not easy. Thankfully, my dog is years away from us making that decision, but I still remind myself to brace for it... In the meantime, I just want to cherish the time I have with him as much as I can minus the moments he farts in my room, 'cause holy heck -- dog farts are HELL. I'm very sorry for your loss. Continue to carry the strong love you have caring for animals. Because I'm sure Snow and Cookies would want you to pass on that love to other stray kittens as you shared for them.
I would approach my relatives for help. Even if you don't or do have a job, just approach to anyone for help. I'm sure you're not alone. Just approach to any adults (older than you) for help will do. or you can just pay their debt too in future. As long as you can save those kittens, damn. props to you though. GOOD LUCK!
I stayed up all night with cookie but in the end she passed in sleep, I buried her with he siblings. I really wish there was more I could've done but like my family tells me, I really did all I could. I just want to thank y'all for the kind words and advice.
Yeah out of 4 One was dead when I found them. MiniMuffin died 3 days ago SnowBall 2 days Cookie, yesterday They all passed in sleep.
