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next litter???

post #1 of 8
9/14/09 at 6:20am
Thread Starter 
Hi

One of my cats had kittens a few weeks ago. She had 7 gorgeous kittens who were all fine but she did have to be checked by the vet and given Oxytocin to start the contractions off properly as she had her water sac protruding but nothing happened for about an hour. The vet checked her calcium level (which was fine) and gave her Oxytocin which started everything off.

She's a fit and healthy cat and a great mother to the kittens. If we let her have another litter, is she more likely to need Oxytocin again, or are there likely to be complications as she needed it this time?

Its not our first litter as we've 3 adult females, but its the first time any of them have needed assistance, so thought I'd better check as we don't want to cause her any stress.

Thanks!
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post #2 of 8
9/14/09 at 7:01am
Oh please get her fixed. It is really hard on them, takes a lot out of their poor bodies to have kittens. They do not enjoy it even though they are good mothers, it just means that they have good instincts. They are so much happier and much better companions once they are fixed as well. There are thousands of cats and kittens put to sleep every season because there just isn't enough homes. Someone dropped off a pregnant cat at our appartment complex and the rescues are to full to take her They have so many kittens and cats right now that I am "stuck" (for lack of a better word) taking care of them. I do not have the money to do it but I can't just leave her to fend for herself. I look at her 5 kittens and think that means somewhere 5 more cats or kittens won't get a home.

To answer your question, It is possible that she will have problems again, depending on her age and body size. She may even end up with a c-section.
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post #3 of 8
9/14/09 at 3:46pm
I would get her fixed because she did need some medical help and you might regret your decision if you let her get pregnant again. It's not guaranteed that she'll have problems, but better safe than sorry. I just brought in a stray cat who had 5 kittens the other day, all died and at the moment she is in poor health and trying to recover.

But I disagree with the person above me. Cats do enjoy being mothers. My first cat had kittens when I was younger, and she just adored her babies. She spent every moment possible with them, played with them, and her kittens made her so happy. Once, we let them outside and the pool gate was left open. One of the curious kittens fell in and my cat started screaming, nearly about to jump in herself! Luckily I was there.

My brother's friend had a cat also and one of her kittens died (it was sickly) and she refused to leave it. She kept it warm and groomed it and tried to stimulate it... they eventually had to sneak the body away from her. CATS ARE ABLE TO LOVE, and they love their babies a lot, well, some couldn't care less, but some do care.

But there are too many cats/kittens in shelters like the person above me mentioned. So that is another good reason not to get a cat pregnant.
I know it seems fun... I thought I wanted to... not anymore

(although, I'm not saying that a cat can be just as happy when fixed, it is healthier and better in the long run)
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post #4 of 8
9/14/09 at 3:59pm
I agree with getting this kitty spayed as soon as the kittens are weaned. And the kittens should all be spayed and neutered before adoption too, so as not to continue the problem on down the line.

I don't understand why you would even consider putting her through it again, after the complications already experienced. And the other kittens should be fixed as soon as they are big enough.

Cats are excellent mothers, but it is instinct, not because they like being mothers. Mating hurts, pregnancy is a huge stress on their bodies, as is nursing, and giving birth is dangerous for them.

Cats do not feel the emotional needs of humans as far as having babies. It's chemical and instinctual.

Yes they form loving emotional bonds with their humans and other cats (or other pets even) in the household. But they don't care about having babies.
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post #5 of 8
9/14/09 at 4:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by otto View Post
I agree with getting this kitty spayed as soon as the kittens are weaned. And the kittens should all be spayed and neutered before adoption too, so as not to continue the problem on down the line.

I don't understand why you would even consider putting her through it again, after the complications already experienced. And the other kittens should be fixed as soon as they are big enough.

Cats are excellent mothers, but it is instinct, not because they like being mothers. Mating hurts, pregnancy is a huge stress on their bodies, as is nursing, and giving birth is dangerous for them.

Cats do not feel the emotional needs of humans as far as having babies. It's chemical and instinctual.

Yes they form loving emotional bonds with their humans and other cats in the household. But they don't care about having babies.
I see what Otto is saying, actually, about instinct. I guess that makes sense, that they don't care about having babies. It's just those hormones that are released while in heat. But they do care for their babies... I suppose that is instinct too. All well But since your cat did have problems before, it's not a good idea to let her mate again. You could lose your cat... and that wouldn't be too good. Maybe you could foster kittens... I'm going to do that when I get all kitten hungry
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post #6 of 8
9/14/09 at 4:48pm
You should discuss this with your vet, but yes there is a good chance she will need assitance again unless she was very young for her first litter.

As long as you're close to a good emergency vet & she's of some value for breeding I'd have a talk with vet about your options, however because of her history any future pregnancies will be risky for both her and the kittens.
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post #7 of 8
9/14/09 at 4:49pm
If this cat is NOT a purebred show quality cat - this litter should be the LAST litter she ever has. Its irresponsible to breed mixed breed cats or pet quality purebred on purpose.

Reputable breeders will test their breeding cats for genetic problems and only breed the best to the best. They have homes lined up BEFORE the kittens are born.

So there is no real need to answer the question about if she needs to be medicated again to deliver....is there????

BTW NOT all cats are cut out to be mothers. I've had a Cornish Rex queen who had a litter of kittens (2) and she dumped them in with her mom's kittens and walked away - she had NO desire to mother the kittens at all; not even share with nursing her mom's kittens at the time. This female was spayed ASAP.
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post #8 of 8
9/14/09 at 5:23pm
I absolutely agree. If she had complications this time there's absolutely no need for her to go through that again. And why are you thinking about another litter if she JUST had this one? Give her time to recover and once the kittens are weaned please get all of them fixed!
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