One of our first cats after marrying was Spooky, a little cat who had distemper. Weebles reminds me so much of her!
Weebles was born in February 2007. Her mom developed a severe infection when Wee and her siblings were just a few days old, so Mommy could no longer effectively nurse or care for them. I got to take over that role, feeding them formula with an eyedropper! But since formula lacks the all the nutrients and goodies that mommy's milk (colostrums) has, the kittens all died within a week, except Weebles.
As it turns out, that may not have been the only reason the other kittens didn't make it.
Mommy was likely exposed to the Distemper virus (Panleukopenia) when she was pregnant, which has an effect on the developing brains of the babies. Weebles has a severe case of this disease. She has a great deal of trouble walking, in that she takes two steps then falls over. I have occasionally been asked if she has cerebral palsy. Her back legs seem to be taking orders from a different cat!
She also has 'intention tremor', like a person with Parkinson's disease. When she is really trying to accomplish something specific, she shakes violently. In order to eat, she has to have her back end steadied so it doesn't try to take off while she's trying to eat. The easiest way to do this is to support her head and place her in a small square basket the size of a dinner napkin while she nibbles from a tiny bowl! This way, she can eat without risk of falling face first in her food, and inhaling it.
At the age of 6 months, Weebles no longer requires help when eating, and manages to out-eat most "normal" cats!
She has, however, increased the speed at which she travels. I only have to announce "Time to feed the cats!", and she turns on her turbochargers.
Weebles was spayed recently, after she explained to us at great volumes that she might be small (just three and a half pounds, the size of a normal four month old kitten), but she had all of the equipment needed to go into heat. She now goes up and down our carpeted stairs at great speeds. Going down will often include a somersault or two, but she remains nonplussed.
Weebles is a very happy, playful little cat. Her tiny body is all muscle, probably due to the contortions she must perform just to move. She is very talkative, and regularly calls to the other cats in the house to come and play, when she has found her beloved spring.
This little cat has been a joy, and a wonderful symbol to all of us. She is a case study of making the best of what you've got, and thoroughly enjoying what life has given you.
Weebles was born in February 2007. Her mom developed a severe infection when Wee and her siblings were just a few days old, so Mommy could no longer effectively nurse or care for them. I got to take over that role, feeding them formula with an eyedropper! But since formula lacks the all the nutrients and goodies that mommy's milk (colostrums) has, the kittens all died within a week, except Weebles.
As it turns out, that may not have been the only reason the other kittens didn't make it.
Mommy was likely exposed to the Distemper virus (Panleukopenia) when she was pregnant, which has an effect on the developing brains of the babies. Weebles has a severe case of this disease. She has a great deal of trouble walking, in that she takes two steps then falls over. I have occasionally been asked if she has cerebral palsy. Her back legs seem to be taking orders from a different cat!
She also has 'intention tremor', like a person with Parkinson's disease. When she is really trying to accomplish something specific, she shakes violently. In order to eat, she has to have her back end steadied so it doesn't try to take off while she's trying to eat. The easiest way to do this is to support her head and place her in a small square basket the size of a dinner napkin while she nibbles from a tiny bowl! This way, she can eat without risk of falling face first in her food, and inhaling it.
At the age of 6 months, Weebles no longer requires help when eating, and manages to out-eat most "normal" cats!
She has, however, increased the speed at which she travels. I only have to announce "Time to feed the cats!", and she turns on her turbochargers.
Weebles was spayed recently, after she explained to us at great volumes that she might be small (just three and a half pounds, the size of a normal four month old kitten), but she had all of the equipment needed to go into heat. She now goes up and down our carpeted stairs at great speeds. Going down will often include a somersault or two, but she remains nonplussed.
Weebles is a very happy, playful little cat. Her tiny body is all muscle, probably due to the contortions she must perform just to move. She is very talkative, and regularly calls to the other cats in the house to come and play, when she has found her beloved spring.
This little cat has been a joy, and a wonderful symbol to all of us. She is a case study of making the best of what you've got, and thoroughly enjoying what life has given you.
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