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Oldest Age to safely breed first litter

post #1 of 4
1/28/11 at 4:08am
Thread Starter 
Hi All
Despite having sent my BSH Silver Tabby to two different stud boys, and having actually witnessed mating, my queen still has not caught. She will be four next month and I am worried that she may be getting too old for her first litter.
Having never had this problem before I would normally have a first litter around the 2 years mark and have 2 or 3 litters before retiring the queen, its a first to have a stubborn lady!

What would you say is the oldest age she could safely have her first litter (should she ever catch that is!!!)

Thanks
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post #2 of 4
1/28/11 at 4:38am
IMO its pushing it as most breeders will retire breeding females at 4-5 yrs old. Since you have tried a few times with different males (am assuming these boys have sired kittens successfully), then its probably safe to assume there is something wrong with your female.

Personally, I'd be spaying her and if you don't have room to keep her as a pet, then rehome her as a pet. Not all cats are successful breeders and you can't just keep trying.

She's at higher risk the more you let her have heat cycles to develop pyrometra.
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post #3 of 4
1/28/11 at 5:17am
As Brits are slowly maturing breed, the situation isn't as bad as in some other breeds. However I would have to agree that 4 years is pushing it.
How old was she when her heat cycles started? Mine started when she was 14months old, now she is 1,5 years old and just had her second heat so she's not in a hurry to grow up (just tried to mate her for the first time, still waiting to see if it was successful)..

My friend bred her Scottish fold female for the first time when the female was 4 after the vet said it was ok. It took 2 tries and the second was successful. She did have some problems with the labor though, 7 kittens, 2 of them dead and one placenta didn't come out so she got an infection. It was treated and she was fine. While she was waiting to be spayed she got pyometra, but is now doing fine (is spayed). Kittens are fine too, just had their 2nd birthday. There was definitely some luck involved.

Oh, almost forgot: Can we see some pictures of your cat(s)??
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post #4 of 4
1/28/11 at 2:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45 View Post
IMO its pushing it as most breeders will retire breeding females at 4-5 yrs old. Since you have tried a few times with different males (am assuming these boys have sired kittens successfully), then its probably safe to assume there is something wrong with your female.
I'm inclined to agree with GK, however, have you consulted a feline specialist and looked into why she may be infertile?
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