Beths bengal babies

Beth was due to have her kittens on 20th. She showed early signs of giving birth but then we confined her to bed rest and her labour stopped.
23 Oct and we are still waiting for Beth to give birth. She settled down too much and now we are wanting her to have her kittens. She is allowed to run around our bedroom, but we are still keeping her calm and pampered, she mustn't get too excited as Beth takes time when she delivers her kittens and we don't want her to get upset.
7pm - Here we go, contractions are starting, although first its the kittens shuffling into place.
9.15pm ish - Two massive pushes from Beth and the first kitten pops out his bum. the rest of him follows slowly and relaxed. Beth doesn't burst the bag and so once he is out we take over and remove him from the bag and remove the placenta. Beth takes one look and a quick lick at the placenta and turns her attention to her new baby, a lovely brown spotted Bengal boy. She takes pleasure in licking him clean and dry and scooping him into her arms upto her nipples to hook on.
12.30am - we have 4 brown spotted Bengal boys by now and there are still some kittens inside. It looks like being a long night so Tim goes downstairs for hot chocolate - Mmmm - lovely!
Beth is now tired and so is taking her time. We have placed a quilt doubled over on top of our bed, then another single quilt curled round like a cacoon on top of that. She and her babies are tucked up inside, its all toastie warm for her and her babies. Beth is happy so long as i have my hand touching her. She is in need of some reassurance just now. With everything set up like this we can all catch a few Zzz...s
2am - ish and we have our first brown spotted female - gorgeous - I was hoping for a girl. About an hour later and we have another girl but no placenta.
It must have been around 3.30am when the last kitten popped his bum out. His bag wasn't there so we had to work quickly and encourage Beth to hurry up with this boy. Beth likes to take her time when giving birth, but without his bag in place he could suffocate if he doesn't come out quick enough. She tells us off a little but we get him out and with lots of rubbing and a couple of swings we have him spluttering and breathing. Beth soon forgives us rushing her when she has her baby boy back with her alive and well.
That leaves just two placentas not accounted for. We can feel them in her belly, so its just a matter of time. We all drop off to sleep.
It was shortly after 5am when i wake up with a cold clammy feeling on my arm - yes you've guessed right - its the placenta draped over my arm - yuk! Still better out than in.
When i get up to dispose of the placenta i notice the other one on the floor, so now i can rest easy knowing that everything is out that needs to come out.
Beth is curled up contented with her 7 gorgeous Bengal kitties. i change the towel for a fresh one so that she and her kittens are clean and dry. What a wonderful sight to go to sleep with.
Jacky
www.pureblissbengals.co.uk
www.pureblisssavannahs.co.uk
www.pureblissquarantine.co.uk

What a hectic day. I'm feeding and watering everywhere whilst Tim is mucking all the cats out. No Bookwork today! Lunchtime comes and goes and finally everyone is fed, watered and cleaned out, and the kittens have had their lunchtime feed. Tim spends the rest of the day adding mesh and locks on one of our quarantine chalets. We had a last minute request on Friday to quarantine another couple of cats for Neils, so its all hands on board tomorrow when Katey arrives for work to make sure the chalet is ready for them. Defra are very good and we will be able to contact them Monday for them to come out and licence the new chalet.
Beth is starting early contractions so its bed rest for her in my bedroom. Need to keep her calm so that she holds onto her kittens just a little longer before giving birth.
Another hour and it will be time for evening feeds to start.
Jacky
www.pureblissbengals.co.uk
www.pureblisssavannahs.co.uk
www.pureblissquarantine.co.uk

BCCGB show

Saturday early am
We have Per, Tove Ingrid, Katey, Myself, Optimus Prime, Baked Alaska, Renegade, Valour, Titan, and all our show and hotel stuff packed in the car - compact and friendly - HA HA!
Arriving to the usual friendly greetings and atmosphere we find at TICA shows. First priority is getting all the cats and kittens settled down into their pens. Per and Tove Ingrid needs no encouragement to find out where the bacon butties are bought form which were much appreciated.

Per and Tove Ingrid have flown over from Norway to visit a TICA show in the UK with us and are to show Titan, a beautiful SBT Savannah as they are about to breed Savannahs in addition to their Bengals. 5 judges in 5 rings over two days making 10 rings in total. Very positive comments from each of the judges particularly as Titan is an SBT Savannah. 10 merits received.

It was good to see a Savannah being shown and enjoying meeting people. It was Titans first trip out since flying into the UK earlier this year and spending time in quarantine. There were also 3 Savannah kittens on exhibition, one of which was being walked around on a harness. How wonderful to see their amazing temperament, all in their first show.

Katey was showing Baked Alaska for her first kitten show at 4 months old and Ally was not enjoying herself until the last ring she was in on Sunday where she was finaled. This showed us what different results are achieved when kittens are relaxed and present themselves well.

Katey was "over the moon" with Timmy's (Optimus Prime) results in his first show as an adult. Over this weekend he was finaled 7 times. These results were achieved competing against outstanding Bengals and other breeds, the standards were very high.

I was thrilled that Valour gained his championship in the company of such outstanding cats.

I'm looking forward to taking Renegade to more shows. This was his first kitten show at only 4 months old and he was finalled in 6 rings, but more importantly he thoroughly enjoyed himself. He is a Bill Baby and like his dad he loves meeting new people and having cuddles. He had some lovely cuddles with lots of new people at this show that has encouraged him to come and enjoying showing in the future.

Katey and I spent a thoroughly enjoyable weekend and hope that our friends from Norway did also. More importantly our cats and kittens enjoyed themselves, as without them there wouldn't be any point in going.
By the way - Katey floated home on cloud nine - HE HE!

What a wonderful show, our appreciation to the people who organised the BCCGB show. We don't always remember to show our appreciation, and we should say more, but we do appreciate your hard work and the time you all give freely to put on these friendly and enjoyable shows. Many, many thanks!
Jacky
www.pureblissbengals.co.uk
www.pureblisssavannahs.co.uk

HCM Screening

I'm behind again with my blog - life has been manic again so to catch up roughly........

HCM screening
I arrived early Friday morning for our appointment and settled the boys down whilst I had a cup of Coffee to settle my nerves.
First Glacier out of his carrier. Sue gave him a thorough examination, listening to his heart lungs, and an all round feel of his condition and pulses - he loved the attention. Sue shaved him just behind his front leg on his ribs. Then it was time to lay him down on his side on the table with the hole in it for Sue to scan him. He laid on some vet bed to make him more comfortable and lights off. Sue scanned his chest from one side and then the other and also through his liver, we could see his heart outside and then in. What a wonderful picture of a wonderful heart beating away nicely. Then Sue changed heads and repeated everything, this time the scanner showed the beats of the heart in a different picture, then Sue changed everything again and we could see the normal peaks that we all associate with these sort of screenings. Then we could hear his heart beats, what a wonderful noise to hear his heart beat so clear and healthy.
Sue then continued her notes/paperwork whilst I settled Glacier down and took Bill out for a cuddle to prepare him for his screening.
Bill was a little less cooperative with regard to laying still on the bed, but with my head next to his he soon settled down with the rhythm of my voice.
Design is only 4 months old but Sue agreed to screen him as his new owner had shouted HCM(she works at a veterinary practice). Sue carried out a full screening but thought it inappropriate to complete a full report on his. He was totally clear of HCM. Sue has supplied us with a letter to this effect to protect this little boy from any gossip caused.
Major was next and as good as gold.
Katolat was next and again as good as gold. Katolat was the only one that was frightened by it all, he was trembling poor soul, but he still stayed well behaved. I'm sure this was due to the brilliant handling of Sue, our cardiologist.
Susan Roberts was our cardiologist and i can't recommend her highly enough. She showed her obvious love of cats with her considerate handling of my boys. Sue spoke gently to the boys and allowed me to be with them to reassure them. I was allowed to handle my own boys and Sue welcomed my input. I was dreading taking my boys for screening, but it turned out to be a good experience with a wonderful outcome.