Gracie's babies 2 weeks today - need advice

Hi everyone! Wow, I love this site, wish I would have found it a few weeks ago! Here's a little background on Gracie...

Found her starving, outside the house. Old softy here, took her for a feline leukemia test before bringing her back home with my 2 boys, Baby and Mr. Panther. We lost our last one (was a stray too) to the virus so I am very careful and cautious. Anyway, they made great friends. A little TOO great. Gracie and Mr. P did the dance before I could get either one of them fixed. I already had Mr. P's scheduled, but I wasn't able to get it done in time.

Fast forward to Feb 26, she FINALLY goes into labor at 7:45am in her box I prepared, thankfully. She had a very, very, long labor and had her fifth kitten at about 6pm. She didn't cut cords at all, open sacks, or eat all of the placentas. It was a mess with all FIVE babies, cords, and sacks. I think from my observance, this must have been her first litter. Then, we had an emergency. I was waiting for her to deliver the last placenta and she seemed to, but all the sudden, blood everywhere. Her uterus prolapsed. It was FAR out and she was freaking out. Trying to run with the babies and get out of the box. So, I scooped her up, in a kitty box and headed for the emergency vet. They fixed her all up pretty easy but she had to spend the night, so I had to bottle feed the kittens for about 12 hours til she came home the next morning. Went right back to nursing, all was well and normal. Meanwhile, the 2 boys have been locked in my room all this time with food, water, and litter box.

The vet said to keep the boys seperate, so I have been. It's not very fun though, for anyone. I'm afraid to be away from Gracie and the babies, and I feel guilty being away from the boys. The kids have helped by sleeping in my bed with the boys and I have too, but it's so very hard with 3 kids, keeping everyone in the correct rooms with doors shut. Anyway, Gracie's been begging to see the boys, so every day, I've been bringing her in here to socialize with them for a bit. They love it, she loves it. BUT, now the kittens are 2 weeks, thriving great it seems, and I really want to open the doors up and let everyone be normal. But, I'm very scared. In the first few days, Gracie moved her babies to my sons room, under his platform bed with drawers (which are removed) and she has them in the drawer spot. Nice and cozy, dark, etc, but very hard for me to monitor, but I do it. I'm worried if I don't move them to a more accessible place when I let the boys out, it would be hard to get to them if there's a problem or something.

I desperately need advice on how to handle this introduction. Leave the babies where they are and hope for the best and stop worrying so much? Move the babies to the original box in the dining room so it's more observable and accessible? Wait another week? I'm so torn on how to do it. One of the boys is older and more mellow. I think he'll hiss a few times and then not give a crap lol. Mr. P on the other hand is very playful, and very affectionate to Gracie, bathing her etc. I'm a little worried about him. Neither one are the slightest bit aggressive, but you never know with kittens. I keep hearing horror stories.

I didn't mean to make this a novel, but what do you guys think? I really appreciate any advice you could share.

Karen

Oops forgot to post a pic


Daddy

Very nice it went so well with the babies, although this difficult start!


About letting the boys meet the family.

I too had heard some of the stories. I believe a couple of forumists here did had unpleasant experiences.

But afaik the usual is, if the male and the mom are friends, there is no real danger and seldom real problems.
Some hissing at first at most, as many cats are a little afraid of small kittens.

It is very common they are taking on the role of extra mom, or at least, of a well wishing uncle. Especielly common among friendly, neutered males. But also whole toms had been known to help with kittens.

So, my guess is, do keep a close observance and be watchful at the first meetings, but if the mom think everything is OK, let them meet.
One boy at a time.
IF you want they do meet already now.


Good luck!

Thank you. Your advice made me feel a bit at ease. I'm still unsure exactly HOW and where to do the introductions though. I'm leaning towards waiting one more week, til they are 3 weeks. I mean, we've waited this long. I don't know.

Hi, I don't have any advice as I'm having my very first pregnant cat right now.
But I would like to say WOW at your story and this has made me a little worried!!!
But also YAY that everyone is happy and healthy now!!!
Good luck!!

I would put momma & kittens in my room with the door shut and let the boys have the run of the house. I personally would never let another cat around such young kittens... A long time ago my mothers cat had kittens and another cat killed/ate them. A un-neutered tom is more likely to do this. Why did the vet want the boys seperated?

I am glad that she & the babies made it through, it sounds like you/her went through a lot! They are ADORABLE little monkeys!!!! Congrats!

Thanks for the responses!

Desirai, don't worry too much. What happened to me, isn't super common. I've had a few litters over my lifetime, and this is the first time I've ever even heard of it. Just be prepared for emergencies with a transport carrier, towels, emergency vet # for after hours, and you'll be fine. If you have any problems, call and the vet will tell you what to do. I'm just glad I had money, because I had a suprise $300 vet bill. Good luck, I know it's a super stressful time.

Kat, thanks for the advice. I tried doing that when they were born and Gracie freaked out. She didn't want her, or her babies in my room for some reason. Both boys are neutered, and they have a great relationship with Gracie, so I don't think either one would kill the babies, but I'm just so nervous. I really don't think Baby would do a thing or even care. Mr. Panther, on the other hand, I think would be super nosy and try to lay with the kittens in their area, maybe even run off with one, and tick Gracie off. He tends to take off with things, such as shoe strings, toys, Wii remotes, etc.
I think the vet wanted them separate because Gracie was Mr. P's first mate umm partner, and he became quite obsessed with mating, even up to days before her delivery. He would NOT leave her alone, and even tried to mount Baby, who is a boy. He was never mean, but he was just very one track minded.

The kittens are SO stinking cute. They're playing, biting with tiny teeth, climbing on each other, and wobbly starting to venture a little outside their area. I'll feel SO much better about everyone together once they're prob about 4 weeks, steady of their feet, and can see and hear good. They just still seem a little too newborn for me to feel comfortable. Their area is very dark and I would love to bring them out into the living room in a large box to play for a while. It may be a little too early for that though. I'll be posting new pictures soon.

If they get along well, try bringing in Baby first(The toms are neutered now right? ) and see how she reacts to another cat near her kittens. I can't tell you what she'd do, it just really depends on the cat. If she shows any signs of agression, then take him out, and wait a few weeks

I am glad she is ok after her rough start with her babies.
I had a male cat that loved kittens. He would help the mom cats in the neighborhood with their babies like he was a nanny. He lay in the box with her while a stray that he brought home gave birth, licking her face and allowing her to use him as a pillow. His brother was not as loving, but would not be mean to the kittens. Another male I had was afraid of tiny kittens.
Maybe you could try letting the friendliest male sniff at a baby while you hold it. If he shows any aggression, you could pull it safely away. Some scent swapping for the babies and mom might not hurt. It would allow them to be at least a little familiar with each other.
I am sure some of resident experts will have great advice, this has just been my limited experience with male cats and kittens.
Please keep us posted on your progress.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I'm still gradually introducing the boys to the kittens and they're mostly just afraid of them LOL. Baby keeps his distance and gets brave enough to sniff once in a while, then hisses and runs. Mr. Panther, as I expected, sniffs and sniffs and is obsessed, yet still scared and growls a little. I think once they know the kittens aren't a threat, all will be very nice and peaceful. Just taking it very slow. Here's some new pics. They are out almost all the time now, Gracie even is feeding them out of their area, in the middle of the room. They play, jump, run, roll, omg they are just too cute for words. I'm going to have a hard time letting them go....

Just too cute for words...

OH MY GOODNESS They are too cute for words!! lol...How adorable..and momma and daddy are very pretty as well