Comments on: Cat Leukemia – Keep Your Kitty Safe!

By: violet_z6

violet_z6 — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 01:31:59 +0000

Here’s an answer from someone who has had 20 cats in my life, and currently a total of 6. Many of which I’ve raised from birth.

Since it’s obvious that you care about this cat by naming and feeding her, I suggest you do everything you can to keep her inside. This way, you know no harm will come to her, or her babies. If you do this, get Socks and Toby inside too, this way she won’t want to instinctually go out to check on them.

"The first litter seemed normal. I believe she had five but I only see two now. Strays usually come and go around here so I’m assuming the others just wondered off." You don’t mention how old they were when they "wandered off". If they were young and outside, they could easily have been eaten by a predator.

The regular gestation period for cats is between 58 and 65 days, or approximately 9 weeks. If you can feel the babies moving, it should be within a week or two that the birthing will occur. Don’t interfere with the process and resist the urge to handle the kittens unless it is clear that the mother or baby is in distress.

I hope the area you’ve made is secluded. It’s best to have a box cut so one side has an opening where the wall on that side is 6 inches high and make sure it has plenty of room so that she is comfortable and can move from one side to the other if she needs to change positions. This makes it easy for mom to get in and out while keeping the kittens contained until they’re old enough and strong enough to get out on their own. Lay down a clean towel that you don’t mind if it gets soiled for the birthing. When mom is done birthing, change out the towel with a fresh one. Don’t expect her to hang out there much until she actually does give birth.

She’ll still want to go out, and she’ll let you know, but in this case, it’s best for her and for your state of mind to keep her inside despite her protests. Keep her inside until she is on her way to the vet for her spay appointment. If you haven’t made the appointment, make it now. Different vets have different opinions on when they’ll do it. I feel that a month * after * they’re done weaning is best for they’re body since it allows the mammary glands to dry first. But this might be a challenge to keep her in for that long. Talk to your vet and go from there. It’s hard on her body to keep getting pregnant, and then there are so many little ones to find homes for. It’s best for all involved to keep her inside until she gets in the car to go to the vet to get fixed.
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By: Lilly S

Lilly S — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 01:29:59 +0000

uhhhh ask a vet they will know what to do it is free to call a vet u know
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By: dready1rasta

dready1rasta — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 01:27:59 +0000

If at all possible keep Mama inside for her delivery. Outside predators, climate and parasites could harm the litter. She will look for a dark, quiet place to birth. Cats can become pregnant almost immediately after giving birth so have her spayed ASAP. Your vet can advise on time.
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By: LisaH86

LisaH86 — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 20:25:37 +0000

What should I do for my cat who is pregnant?
My cat, conveniently named Mama, has had two litters before the one she is carrying now. The two previous litters were born and raised outside because originally that’s where I found Mama. She wasn’t completely wild, but still kind of nervous around people. Gradually, she has become a lot more friendly. I have two of my own cats that are fixed and live inside. I was concerned about Mama because the last litter she had I could only find one kitten and after a month the kitten started having seizures and within a day and a half I had the kitten put down. They did a couple tests on Una, the kitten, and I know the one I believe it was for Feline Leukemia was negative, but every seizure she just got worse and she just wasn’t normal any longer so I made the difficult decision to have her put down. I thought maybe, there was some kind of trauma or maybe Una got into to something bad for her because she was becoming curious and roaming around, I just don’t know. The first litter seemed normal. I believe she had five but I only see two now. Strays usually come and go around here so I’m assuming the others just wondered off. The two that are still around are very friendly and don’t usually stray very far. I planned on getting all three, Mama, Socks (female) and Toby (male) spayed and neutered. But a couple weeks later I noticed Mama pregnant again so I brought her inside so I could observe her pregnancy and birth. She seems normal according to all the research I’ve been doing. I thought for sure she’d have the kittens last week but she didn’t and this week she has gotten increasingly bigger and now I can feel them moving in her tummy. I have an area ready for her and she’s been laying in it a little but she is persistent on going back outside. In fact, one day she did escape when my family left the door open. It took 2 to 3 days I believe searching for her and finally she showed up where I put food out for the them. So I brought her back in but like I said, she’ll comfortably hang out and sleep in my bedroom and go into the area I set up for her but after a bit she’ll go to the window and scratch at it and meow but I’m scared to let her out because I don’t know where she goes. I’m asking for an opinion from someone more experienced I guess, should I let her out and basically fend for herself or should I keep her inside where I know she’s safe and has food and water and an area to have the kittens? She seems mostly content except for when she appears to have the urge to go back outside. I’m extremely excited about the kittens and I plan on getting Mama spayed after she has safely raised the babies. Sorry for my long story, but I just wanted to let you in a bit on Mama’s life so I could ask for your opinion. I have always been a cat person since I was a little girl, I know a lot of kitty facts and behavior but when it comes to birth I’m a little wobbly. Thanks once again.
Lisa