Cat-astrophic?

[SarahK]

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Sorry about the title - me trying to be clever!

Today the whole of metropolitan Adelaide (and the rest of South Australia) was under a orange/red alert for bushfires. Being Suburban, I didn't think too much of it, until I looked out the window and saw smoke billowing over the house - needless to say I nearly had a heart attack.

We had just-in-case bags packed, so we grabbed those, chased the kittens around the house, got them into crates and got out. A lovely lady offered us a lift into town, as I don't have a car.

So that left us safe, but in 43oC heat with two kittens in boxes. While waiting outside a shopping centre for hubby to collect us, the started panting, so we brought them inside the centre, despite the rules, where it was cool. We then got on to the shelter where I got them and they were willing to take them until the fire danger is past, so into a taxi - hubby was stuck in traffic, to the shelter.

So now that they're safe, house is safe (still highrisk over night, so we've left kittens overnight in the shelter) but I am wondering what the effect of all this will be on the kittens - Magpie has just got over the bacterial infection he had along with diahorrea, Raven had a virus, which didn't need treatment, according to the vet. They've cost us a fortune in vets bills, which is fine, they needed it. So am I gonna be back to the start again? They we're settling in so well.

Either way, it was the right thing to do, evacuating them - when we returned to the house, it was full of soot and three plants which were alive and well this morning, were crispy and dead - I guess from the smoke and soot and heat. It wasn't a pleasant place to be.

[Twitchin Kitten]

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They should be fine. Just keep an eye on them from the panting is all. Clean their room first and keep them locked in there until you get the rest of the soot out. You don't want them getting soot in their fur and then them licking it off giving them upset stomachs.

Keep two blocks of ice in the freezer for any new emergencies you might have in the future. Put the ice in a baggie, double it. Then wrap the ice block in a towel. Place this in kittie's crates. It will help keep them cool in the hot confines of the crates should this have to be repeated.

[SarahK]

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All the soot is cleaned up now - kittens won't be home until tomorrow because Brian has to make up the work he missed out on yesterday because he had to help me and won't be able to get to the shelter before they close.

It's raining now, so respite for a while - with any luck that will be it for the season.

Funny, I have ice packs in the freezer, for Brians lunch, but I only though of them after we left, and we couldn't go back. The panting stopped as soon as I brought them in to the shopping centre where it was cool - which I did as soon as I noticed they were panting, so hopefully I cooled them down on time. I also put a damp cloth in both crates. The shelter has an onsite vet, so if there was any problems she'll take care of them.

[Twitchin Kitten]

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Make solid blocks of ice for them. Just use plastic storage tubs to make the ice blocks. This will keep frozen longer for them.

It sounds like they're going to be fine though. Glad it's raining for you and the fires are out! I can't imagine having to deal with that. Friends keep asking me to move to California and I just can't imagine dealing with the rain/floods/wind/fires/earthquakes every year and once they calm down they start a new round! No thanks.

[SarahK]

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At least we only have the fires to deal with - poor folks in California - I really couldn't cope with all those dangers!

Is there anything I can do to prevent Magpie from getting an upset stomach again? He will probably be fine, but he was so poorly the last time that I'd rather prevent than cure if it's possible.

Actually, the fact that I haven't got them off crappy whiskas is good because thats what the shelter is feeding them, so hopefully that will make the transition a little easier. I'm going to order one of the books you recommended for making my own food - I have looked all over here and can't get one. It'll take about a month to get here though.

[Twitchin Kitten]

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Just keep his diet steady with the Whiska's for now and ease him slowly off the stuff once you start to change his diet.

Make sure you purchase supplements once you start the home made meals.

[Rhubarb]

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Oh dear, scary.
So glad everything blew over.
The girl I used to work with came into visit today, all from Perth, Oz. She has a Staffie and was going home tomorrow because the house sitter told her how hot it has been and he can't stay with Stanley any longer because his son is ill.
Both her and her husband were planning to re-camp to Melbourne but have decided not to now, because of Stanley!
It gets far too hot for him.