These 2 and a half month old kittens have been thrust together in the vet’s office, bundled into a cat carrier having just met for the first time. One a timid stocky little Siamese cat called Kaiser who looks like a Koala and the other a ‘don’t you dare stop playing with me’ skinny little ginger and white cat called Radu.
While Kaiser cowered at the back of the carrier, Radu rolled around at the front putting his paws out and grabbing anything resembling a toy! A few exchanges of slow eye blinks later, I knew that Kaiser was going to grow out of his shell. And I knew Radu was going to be a handful.
I learn that these two little beauties have Feline Calicivirus (FCV) – a horrible, highly contagious disease that causes upper respiratory infections, sometimes referred to as Cat Flu. They weren’t the worse case I’d seen as there eyes and nose were clear, and they didn’t lack energy. The only signs of it were a few ulcers on the tongue. But it meant they would need twice daily syringe full doses of FluMax (proteins, vitamins and minerals to support their immune system) and a mucose reducing medication.
A welcome challenge.
Kittens, litter and shampoo
I use the small downstairs bathroom as a starting zone for the kittens. They have their litter tray, food, water and a box for shelter. On opening the basket, Radu immediately emerges, tours the little room and takes his first dump! ‘Hooray’, I think. ‘He has found the litter tray so no litter training required’.
Moments later, my glee turns to horror as he steps repeatedly in his poo as he tries to cover it up with the litter. I close the bathroom door and think ‘shit, where did I put the cat shampoo!’. After a lot of rummaging I find the shampoo, roll my sleeves up, extricate Radu from the now poo covered bathroom and take him upstairs to the other bathroom. I fill the bidet with warm water and soap, and get scrubbing.
He’s a little reluctant – his tiny mews showing me his displeasure. The cat litter has clumped around his tiny paws. He has litter on his face and poo everywhere. I call my husband to get a picture of the momentous occasion and he reluctantly obliges.
After a good scrub and a rinse, I wrap him in a towel, sit on the floor and rub him gently. He starts purring so loudly he could have been a cat four times his size. It’s too cute!
I learn over the coming weeks that Radu has an affinity for covering himself in poo and a jug of ready made soapy water and sacrificial towels are kept by the bidet from that day forward.
Where is Kaiser?
Radu quickly explored the house without hesitation. Kaiser on the other hand is nowhere to be found. Unlike Radu, Kaiser has been in the shelter on his own without other kitten friends. He was nervous at the shelter and didn’t get on well with the staff. So it is unsurprising that he decides to hide once he is home with me!
I can’t find him. I’ve checked in all the cupboards, under the sofa, in the cat tree, all the bedrooms. He’s gone. I start to get worried. I think ‘this has happened before, don’t panic. He will come out eventually.’
The hours pass and still no sign of him. Radu is happy playing and he has eaten his dinner. Food didn’t draw Kaiser out. But, just in case, I left bowls of food near covered locations such as by the sofa, under the drawer unit and in the cat carrier.
Later that evening as it became dark outside and the lights inside were dimmed, Kaiser emerges from under the sofa (I can only assume he has climbed up inside). He heads towards the bowl of food placed nearby. I very slowly and quietly move around to get a look at him. I quickly snap a picture and move away so he can eat in peace. Kaiser will be fine!
Lessons learnt
- When you receive cats into your home, start by releasing them in a small space with all their essentials – litter, food, water, a warm (temperature controlled) hiding place.
- Always have shampoo and towels ready to go before you release kittens in the house.
- Keep any objects that wouldn’t survive being covered in poo, well out of the reach of kittens.
