Kittens at 8 weeks old. Cats and collar dangers.

8 weeks Old

The kittens have reached the 8 week old mark.  If you have been raising a kitten, but wanting to know when to put the little one up for adoption, this is a good age.  The kittens could eat only dry food, but I still like to give a treat of the canned food at least once per day.  I find it keeps their coat soft and shiny.

They are weighing in at 2 lbs and 2 oz.  Most healthy kittens will be 2 lbs by 8 weeks old.  The tail length is between 7 - 8 inches long.  The ears are big, thin and open to the point that you can see the folds and tucks of the inner ear.

Snuggled in with my daughter and helper.

The kittens received their second set of vaccines, called a 5-in-1.  They were a little sleepy afterwards, but this time everyone ate as usual and by the next morning you would never have known anything had happened.  I do keep them in a smaller space for the night after vaccines, the bathroom, just in case someone ends up getting sick.  Typically the kittens are lethargic and not very hungry for 24 - 36 hours.  Holding or touching near the injection sight can also be sensitive for a day or two.

Surgery for Spay/Neuter is set for next week.  Some Vets are willing to do this procedure when they are 2 lbs.  For male kittens you must check that their testicles have dropped.  Sometimes that takes until 9 weeks.

The ADLA provides a list of a variety of low cost clinics where your pets receive this very important surgery.  The primary reason Shelters are inundated with kittens and puppies is from pet owners not taking on the responsibility of preventing unwanted pregnancies.
 
Because these kittens belong to an Animal Shelter, they also received their microchip.  Any Vet or another shelter that has a scanning device can wave that over their neck area and identify the kitten as belonging to Friends for Life.  Friends for Life can then check their records to determine who last adopted the animal.  There have been many cats' and dogs' lives that have been saved because of this little device.  You can also microchip your pets with your name and contact information.  It is much more reliable than a collar, especially on cats that often pull off and lose their collars.  I also find collars to be dangerous on cats.  They can choke and injure themselves with them.

Patience with a drainage tube and baby onesie after a collar injury.

Back in 2003, Patience came to us through the Shelter.  Her fur was so matted with mud and blood that we didn't realize she was a long haired cat for at least 3 days.  She was found in a field with a terrible wound under her arm and along her neck.  Her one paw had gotten caught in her collar.  She was lost and debilitated, unable to hunt for food or protect herself.   We don't know how long she was like that, but she was very thin by the time she was rescued.  She was put on medications, and had a drainage tube placed in the wound to aid the healing of the infection.  That's an infant onesie she is wearing to keep her from licking or chewing the infected area.  She had a full recovery and found a wonderful home a few months later.