Sneezy

Sneezy isn't a name but a nickname. It's what I've been calling the little orange tabby kitten that caught Chai's URI.

I did something really stupid yesterday, I didn't weigh the kittens at the time I normally do because when I went into the room they were all balled up and sleepy. So, instead at 12am I went in to check on them before I went to bed, and while they were still being sleepy, I decided to check on Sneezy as he'd put on a tiny amount of weight the day before.

To my horror, when I picked him up, I could see there was crap all over his face. His eyes and nose had begun to ooze a clear discharge that had blocked off his nasal passageway. This is the part where I ran around crying hysterically for 4 hours trying to figure out what to do. I cried because I didn't have any formula, I cried because I hadn't checked on him sooner, I cried because this tiny kitten was so sick and it was in my mind all my fault. I left a message on Heather's answering machine at 2am that was just me crying. I went to bed at 4 am, and tossed and turned and repeatedly got up to see if Sneezy was still alive. I pushed Chai on her side and desperately yelled at her "Please feed Sneezy!!", but even when she offered her nipple, he wasn't interested.

At 8:45 I woke up, and ran into the room, so ecstatic that Sneezy had survived the night. Every time I woke up, I found Emmet curled beside my head, and that made me feel a bit better. Now at 2pm, I find myself diligently trying to syringe formula into this little kitten's mouth - and as lethargic as he is the rest of the time, he sure does struggle against me!

So, prognosis not good. But I'm trying, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed.


So, update. I have decided to name Sneezy Wiggles, as wiggling is what he likes to do while I either feed him, or try to clean his little face. I was just thinking about that scene in Tess of the D'Urbervilles, and that he shouldn't die without a name.