Things I'm learning about Newborn Kitten care

Like I said, when come across something new I research the heck out of it. With this being my first time at having a cat have kittens I needed to know what to expect. So here's what I'm learning so far:

1) Newborn kittens nurse the first 24 hours receiving a heavy dose of antibodies and vitamins through the queen's colostrum. Just like human mothers produce a fluid that isn't white like milk, so do cats. So it's very important for the kittens to nurse this first 24 hours.

2) The mother will lick her kittens bellies and behinds to stimulate a bowel movement and urination. This continues for two to three weeks.

3) Keep food, water, and a litter box nearby for the mother to use. Offer food and water frequently. Just keep it out of reach of the kittens. The mother should eat a high quality cat food, preferably one for kittens because it provides the extra vitamins and nutrients. Her appetite will double in the next one or two hours.

4) The kittens should nurse every 1-2 hours. They should have a round belly and sleep quietly. If they are restless and not nursing, they may need a supplement. If they get weaker they will become still and not cry.

5) The site that I read from says to weigh the kittens daily. They should start around 100 grams and go up 7-10 grams a day. By day 14, they should be double in weight.

I suppose this is mostly what I need to know right now. I'm going out today to get a good quality kitten food for Nikita. A vitamin supplement probably wouldn't hurt and was recommended through www.peteducation.com. I'll check with the vet. I probably should have done all of this before the kittens were born LOL

Things a diabetic just doesn’t want to hear...

Ok I’m really not happy about having to go back on insulin. Probably for good now. So I’ll warn you, I’m a little touchy. I’m SO exhausted and just want to stay in bed for a few weeks.

From here on out I’m not telling ANYONE I’m diabetic (in person, at least). Everyone seems to think it’s ok to watch every bite I eat and then tell me how they think it’s not good for me. Diabetic or not, it’s SO rude to point out what someone is eating WHILE they are eating. Nothing aggravates me more than someone looking at my food in front of everyone saying "You can’t eat potatoes!" "You can’t eat rice!" "You can’t eat bourbon chicken!" It’s embarrassing and makes me feel like shit. Yeah people might think they’re "helping" me, but they’re hurting me so bad. A relative of mine used to be real bad at that. If she called and I was cooking something she’d find SOMETHING wrong with what I was eating. Even if it was corn it’s "bad".

Someone in "authority" at my school is real bad at that. She could be eating something way worse than me and if I call her on it she says "Well, I’m not the one who can’t metabolize sugar". I mean damn. That sounds like middle school "Well at least I have more money than you do". There’s nothing I hate more than diabetes. I don’t want ANYONE else the rest of my life know that I have it. I wish there was a cure for it because then I could tell people "Yeah I’m cured" even if I wasn’t. Everyone is quick to criticize but when I WANT to take care of myself it’s an inconvenience to everyone "You’re going to the dr when?!" And it’s almost like "that someone" teases me. She makes me go 7-8 hours between meals. If I snack it’s like everyone looks at me like "OMG!"

Diabetes is like a Scarlet Letter. I hate diabetes. I didn’t ask for it. I don’t want it. I HATE IT!!!!!!! Damn I want to cry so bad right now.

So to everyone who knows a diabetic, please don’t offer up unsolicited advice on what they’re eating. I mean, there’s tactful ways of bringing it up, but not while they’re eating. And don’t assume that a diabetic is doing something wrong and that’s why they have diabetes. Even with a type 2, you hear that obesity contributes to diabetes. Don’t assume that because someone is a type 2 they have it cause they’re fat. I "got" diabetes when I weighed less than 150 pounds. Alot of people gain weight with diabetes and it’s harder for them to take it off. Nothing like your body thinking you’re starving it (because your cells aren’t getting the sugar it needs) so many things go into effect like kicking up your appetite, when the last thing you need is food! Hell, I gained more weight with diabetes than I ever did in my two pregnancies combined. And alot of the meds pack on the pounds as well. I’m not trying to make excuses, just trying to explain a few things. It’s amazing how little people know and that’s ok. That’s where education comes in. I’m sure I don’t always say the right things to my patients because I’m learning something new or whatever. But I’m trying to learn so much about so many things so that I can be a good nurse.

Have you hugged a diabetic today? (God knows I need a big one)

Sorry... those are my two cents. Sometimes you just need to feel sorry for yourself for a few minutes LOL