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Should I just get her spayed?

post #1 of 17
1/29/09 at 7:00pm
Thread Starter 
My pregnant feral cat. Would it be more humane to just have the kittens aborted? I'm don't know. I'm very willing to take care of her and find the kittens homes, but the pet overpopulation is pretty bad here, and I'm sure the economy isn't helping the situation. I'm just not sure what to do and I need opinions.
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post #2 of 17
1/29/09 at 7:03pm
I have seen preg cats die aftergetting fixed because it is more complicated.
Can you find out how far along she is?
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post #3 of 17
1/29/09 at 7:06pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mews2much View Post
I have seen preg cats die aftergetting fixed because it is more complicated.
Can you find out how far along she is?
I'm going to try to take her to the vet, but I get my cats spayed at the humane society because it's half the cost of the vet.
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post #4 of 17
1/29/09 at 7:56pm
As far as I'm concerned it's fine, but best to talk to your vet!
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post #5 of 17
1/29/09 at 8:05pm
Think about it - are you able to social the kittens properly so they can be adopted out? How long will it take to find them homes - and where will they live? What about ensuring the kittens are fixed? There are so many things that come along with kittens - and if she has them outdoors, how many will live?

I've spayed pregnant cats before. It's harder on them yes, but in reality - it's probably my only choice.
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post #6 of 17
1/29/09 at 10:15pm
A lot depends on how far along she is. My vet would not spay Goldy (stray cat) the first time I took her because she was about 5 weeks pregnant and he said it would be too dangerous for her.

Do you have an appointment for her already? Do you know how far along she is? You could call the vet's office to find out if they have a cut-off for doing a spay/abortion.
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post #7 of 17
1/29/09 at 10:40pm
Bless you for looking out for that poor kitty
I've had cats spayed when they were preggers. I always felt bad about the unborn kitties, but, alas, life is reality and it really was for the best. All my cats recovered sucessfully and I ensured that the problem of cat overpopulation was not continued.
However, if it's too late, then Thank God that you are there for her & her babies!!! I shudder to think what she would do without you
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post #8 of 17
1/30/09 at 12:22am
I would get your vets opinion - there is the effect on her to consider, if she is truly feral, she wouldnt be happy at being indoors long enough to have them and for them to be socialised, and if she is part of a colony, it could affect her relationship in it being away for that long. IT is a hard decision, but one I would do - I had a female in last year who turned out to be pregnant, the vet had to do it as they didn't find out till they had knocked her out, but she had had at least 2 other litters, so it was best for her.
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post #9 of 17
1/30/09 at 9:38am
IMO yes - why risk her having more kittens. I think you mentioned you were working on having the ferals neutered/spayed as soon as you can afford. By letting her have more kittens, its just that many more that will need to be neutered and spayed.
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post #10 of 17
1/30/09 at 9:53am
I know it's a difficult decision and one that many people struggle with, but I'd go ahead and have her spayed as long as the vet agrees it's safe. Given the pet over-population problem, it's the most responsible and compassionate thing to do.
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post #11 of 17
1/30/09 at 10:01am
Thread Starter 
Well, two of my cats have an appointment to get spayed tomorrow at the humane society. I'll see if they would spay a pregnant cat. Maybe I can make an appointment for her next week and if she's too far along I'll just bring her home and keep her in. She's definitely feral, her mama was a feral, but she's one of been working with feeding and gaining her trust a little bit. I would love to have a litter of kittens, but to let her have them for that reason would be selfish of me. So I'll talk to the vet at the humane society and decide what's best for her. Which I suspect will be to have her spayed.
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post #12 of 17
1/30/09 at 3:40pm
I believe it is your decision whether to have her spayed right now or not. If you think about it, getting her spayed now and aborting the kittens is probably the best choice. I read the thread where you wanted to get all your ferals fixed. IF you let her keep the litter, and she has them outside, the kittens will become feral too and then you probably wont be able to find them homes, then theres more cats you will have to pay for to be fixed. IF you trapped her and she had the kittens inside, could you find enough homes for them? Would you be willing to keep any, if you couldnt find them all homes?

I remember you said that you get them spayed at the Humane Society, instead of at the vets cuz its cheaper. And in one thread i think you said you couldnt afford a vets appt. ATM? Could you take them to the humane society instead of the vets, for check-ups and what not? Just a suggestion bc I take my cats to the Humane Society for shots and check-ups and all, since it IS cheaper than going to a private vet.
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post #13 of 17
1/30/09 at 3:55pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by KiTTYL0VE4 View Post
I remember you said that you get them spayed at the Humane Society, instead of at the vets cuz its cheaper. And in one thread i think you said you couldnt afford a vets appt. ATM? Could you take them to the humane society instead of the vets, for check-ups and what not? Just a suggestion bc I take my cats to the Humane Society for shots and check-ups and all, since it IS cheaper than going to a private vet.
My humane society just spays and neuters, I'm pretty sure. And they won't even do that if the cat's not feral, unless you're on medicaid or if you bring in kittens too. Oh, and I have no idea what ATM means.

Thank you for everyone's opinions and advice. I'm going to talk to the vet at the humane society tomorrow at my other two's appointment and bring her in next week.
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post #14 of 17
1/30/09 at 4:02pm
ATM - is at the moment
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post #15 of 17
1/30/09 at 5:48pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by WellingtonCats View Post
ATM - is at the moment
Thank you!
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post #16 of 17
1/30/09 at 7:12pm
The vet clinic I use to work at we did spays on pregnant kitties (more costly and dangerous due to the blood vessels being engorged to the uterus) and they all survived. It's a hard choice to make and I agree with a lot of the members on their views. Now, say you do keep the kittens - at the humane society I use to work at we tried to rehabilitate feral kittens (it was NOT easy.. some would be SUPER scared and anxious, while others adapted well) it can be done but is time consuming and there is not a guarantee that the little ones will be 100% behaviorally in the end.

Keep us posted
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post #17 of 17
1/31/09 at 7:45am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jamiekitty View Post
The vet clinic I use to work at we did spays on pregnant kitties (more costly and dangerous due to the blood vessels being engorged to the uterus) and they all survived. It's a hard choice to make and I agree with a lot of the members on their views. Now, say you do keep the kittens - at the humane society I use to work at we tried to rehabilitate feral kittens (it was NOT easy.. some would be SUPER scared and anxious, while others adapted well) it can be done but is time consuming and there is not a guarantee that the little ones will be 100% behaviorally in the end.

Keep us posted
Most of my ferals have warmed up to me. There are only a few that run from me, the rest don't mind me. I can pet a few and there are some that LOVE to be petted. There are some strays too, now so they always want attention.
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