Bernards babies

Bernard had her kittens yesterday, I'm pleased to report that she has 6 healthy kittens and she is doing really well, but it didn't go quite to plan. She was in 1st stage of labour yesterday morning, very vocal and clingy but no contractions. I had to do the school run and take Polly's kittens to the vets for their 2nd vaccinations and microchips in readiness for them flying the nest next week. As I was leaving the surgery the vet said goodbye and see you soon, which as I work there is a perfectly reasonable thing to say, neither of us expected it to be that afternoon!

I got home at about 9:45 and the dogs had to forgo their walk as Bernards labour was progressing and I needed to be there for her. At around 1pm she started pushing. Normally you would expect to see the 1st kitten within about an hour, maybe 2, but at 3:30pm she had made no progress. Back to the vets, an examination confirmed that she was ready to go, but there was no kitten on the way, so the decision was taken to unzip her and use the emergency exit for the kittens.

The kittens came out fast, myself and the staff at the vets were then kept busy for the next hour or so reviving the kittens, all of which had lovely strong heartbeats but were slow to get going with breathing.

Once home Bernard met her kittens and despite being pretty spacey from the drugs she had had, her maternal instincts kicked in and she was only to pleased to start to look after them. The kittens, although they were nice and strong, were still sleepy and at 10pm they still hadn't fed, so at that point a friend popped round to help tube feed them. Of course, as soon as she arrived the kittens decided that they were in fact quite peckish and went for the self service option :) They haven't looked back since. This is the last litter we have planned for this year, so please complete an application form if you are interested in having a kitten from this litter.  They have been named after the staff that assisted with the c section, so I am pleased to introduce to the world, Eddy -a tabby boy, Bex - a blue boy, Al- a red boy, Tracy - a black girl, India - a torti/white girl and lastly Erica - a tabby/white girl. Better photos will follow soon.

It is interesting to note the similarities to her GGG Grandmothers litter 6 years ago.

The older kittens start to leave home this week, they have been a real joy and I think their new owners have got some little crackers. I do however have to say it will be nice to go up and down the stairs without lightening fast trip hazards!