Our new bengal babies are due to come home this coming friday
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I thought id like to introduce myself and say hello to you all. I have been reading the forum and found lots of interesting information that has helped us over the past few weeks to prepare for the new arrivals.

I feel like a real baby is coming home...all the kitten stuff is lined up all nice and neatly, ready to be trashed (im sure people think im mad)

We are bringing home two adorable little boys. A blue eyed snow that we have decided to call Zeus and a brown rosetted that we are calling Atlas.

Little Atlas has a condition with his ribs, I believe its called flat chest syndrome. So far it hasn't caused him any problems, he is thriving and is the same size as his brothers and sisters. The breeder wanted to give him a chance at life and when we went to see them (about 3 weeks ago now) she said she wanted him to go to a good home and we could take him with his brother if we wanted to.

We went for a coffee and had a good think about it and decided we would take them both, We had to!! When we visited Zeus was constantly with him under the table cuddling and playing, how could we break them up!

He has been checked for any other conditions and he is fine, apart from this rib cage problem, so fingers crossed he will lead a happy life.

I will post some photos of them when they are here this weekend

Welcome to the forum. My snow boy has a curved chest and it causes him no problems at all, when hes really puffed out from chasing around he grunts a little when he pants but thats the only difference between him and the others. Your quiet life is about to be over!! enjoy!!

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Selina, Simba, Jinx and Rufus

We have a brown spotty girl, who was eleven years old yesterday (happy birthday to Shugsie) with this condition. We massaged and manipulated her ribs daily for her first year with us and it helped re-shape her ribcage.

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The little monsters 3

Congratulations - I bet you can't wait to bring them home.

I had a Bengal with flat chested syndrome and she was absolutely fine - you could see a dip in her shoulders if she stood in a particular way but it didn't affect her breathing at all and she was normally active. There are degrees of FCK though and it can get worse as they grow if the chest doesn't develop properly so try and make sure you and your own vet fully understand the kitten's anatomy and manage things appropriately when he comes home. You might find you can't get insurance for him but it's more important that he's going to have a loving home with you.

Good luck on Friday.

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Good for you for taking them both.

FCK is fairly common and is in other breeds as well as Bengals. All babies deserve a good home and that special baby is lucky to have found you!
Boy, are you gonna have some fun when you get those two home!

I look forward to seeing the piccies.

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Best Wishes,
Karen <UK>
http://www.suntouchedbengals.com
http://www.bengalbreedersunited.co.uk

Thank you all for the welcome

I'm glad to know that others have had good experiences with little kittens like this. I did wonder about insurance, and was going to ask the breeders advice when we pick them up what she recommends.

I will look into the massage, I have had a good read through the link posted above, thank you, and I see there may be a few things i could do to help, i suppose i will find out what is feasible in the coming weeks and a visit to my vet.

I am so excited, just 3 more sleeps

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The little monsters 3

I just wondered, those of you who have massaged the kittens ribs when they were small, can i ask exactly what you did? I spoke the the vet (who the breeder used, so he knows the kitten) and he said that it can do no harm if i massage him twice a day or so for about 2 mins each time. He said sort of cupping your hands gently in and down would be fine. IS this the same sort of thing you did or do you have any other tips? I am keen to try anything if it will help. So far hes not that keen on this massage idea

thank you in advance.