Rescue Kitty had babies under the bed ...

goddessbast

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I took in a stray cat that has been living in the neighborhood for a while. I glimpsed her a few times this winter, very thin and scared, but apparently our neighbors had been feeding her. They said she was pregnant and had already had one litter of kittens that died.
I asked them if they could catch her so I could try to find her help through a rescue group.

I tried making various phone calls. One group wanted to spay her immediately, even though her kittens were clearly almost ready to be born. That seemed cruel, and I was looking for no-kill shelters and rescue organizations ...

Then she had her kittens. Four of them! In a little nest she'd created under the ripped-up mattress bottom of the bed.

I've been feeding her every 3-4 hours, wet and dry kitten food, keeping the room warm with a space heater, and just checking on her and the kits. I have not attempted to touch them yet, but I've peeked in on them and they seem to be doing fine. The mama is very friendly (she will even purr and let me pet her while she's nursing), so I really don't think she's feral--probably a "throw-away."

I have kept her and the kittens isolated in one bedroom, but there have already been a few "near misses" with my cats, and I'd like to have her checked for FIV and other illnesses and vaccinated, but I don't think that can be done while she's nursing. Does anyone know how long before she can safely get her shots?

I'd also like to get the kittens out from under the bed, but I'm not sure how to do that without traumatizing them or the mama cat. Someone said that if the babies get a human smell on them, the mother might kill them. That sounds like an old wives' tale ... but is it? Has anyone had experience with taking in stray moms with kittens?
 

feralvr

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You are a saint
and thank you for rescuing this girl and babies. She is definitely not feral by any stretch if she allows you to pet her while she is nursing and she purrs on top of that. She will make someone a wonderful pet. I really think since she is so trusting of you that you can move the babies into a box, open crate, large rubbermaid container or something like that and put blankets in it for mom and her kits. I am sure mom would be fine with that. Although, I don't have first hand experience with newborn kits. Hopefully someone will come along very soon with more info.
for mom and her kits!!! You are doing a great job and I am sure mom cat won't mind you touching babies.
 

kittkatt

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I really don't think you'd have any problems with touching the babies. It's highly unlikely that the momma kitty will kill her babies if you do. Salem was semi-feral when I brought her into the house pregnant, and I was there with her when she had her babies. She let me pick them up right after they were born: she actually didn't clean one of the babies off right away, so I took the baby and "showed" her that it needed to be done - which she did right away. I really don't think you'll have a problem handling your baby kittens, since the momma has already taken to you and allows you to pet her while she's nursing.

You are a sweetie for taking them in.
Bless you and the momma cat & babies.
 

mbjerkness

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Originally Posted by KittKatt

I really don't think you'd have any problems with touching the babies. It's highly unlikely that the momma kitty will kill her babies if you do. Salem was semi-feral when I brought her into the house pregnant, and I was there with her when she had her babies. She let me pick them up right after they were born: she actually didn't clean one of the babies off right away, so I took the baby and "showed" her that it needed to be done - which she did right away. I really don't think you'll have a problem handling your baby kittens, since the momma has already taken to you and allows you to pet her while she's nursing.

You are a sweetie for taking them in.
Bless you and the momma cat & babies.
I captured a semi feral Mom and she had her babies, in my downtstairs bathroom. I helped her clean the babies and touched them from birth on. Mom didn't want me to pet her , but she had no problems with me touching her little ones.
 

hissy

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Don't move them unless they are in danger. If they are warm, away from drafts and safe, leave them be. She may be purring and sweetness now when you a softly petting them, but if you try and move them she could protect that from happening. I have been on the end of a stray queen preventing me from moving her kittens several times and it isn't pretty. Keep feeding her in the same spot on a routine basis. Make some alternative nests in the room with cardboard boxes and soft bedding and let her choose to move them. Although it is awkward, just keep petting the kittens when you can (you want them to get used to human touch as they are easier to adopt out that way) But let mom bring them to you. Cats have been having kittens for centuries without our intervention. Just bond with the family the best you can, but don't move them. She will when the time is right.
 
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goddessbast

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Hi--thanks to everyone who replied. The kittens are one week old and seem to be doing fine. I wish she would take them out from under the bed, though, because they are way underneath and I can't reach them. I'm worried that mom may be sick because she has been having diarrhea. I don't know if it's a reaction to food or some kind of illness. I wish I knew a vet who made house calls!
 

jen

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I am sure she is a little stressed out, she just gave birth, who knows what she ate before you came along, and she probably has worms from living outside on her own. Just get her into the vet as soon as you are comfortable doing that. Have them all looked at. I am sure the vet will deworm her and take care of everything.
 

feralvr

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Profender is a spot on treatment for all types and stages of parasites and is safe for nursing cats. Check with your vet and you probably can just pick up a couple of dosages for her without having to bring her in. Give them three weeks apart. I am sure she is dealing with some parasites being a stray. Continued vibes for her and the kittens and you too for all the wonderful care you are giving
 
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goddessbast

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Thanks to everyone who posted!
The four kittens are 2 weeks old now and doing well. I did get them out from under the bed and now have them in a box lined with soft cloths. Mama is fine with me handling them, but as soon as they squeak she gets very alert and waits for me to put them back in the box, then she checks them out. I'm going to keep them all until they can find good homes.
 

herekittykitty8

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Originally Posted by GoddessBast

Thanks to everyone who posted!
The four kittens are 2 weeks old now and doing well. I did get them out from under the bed and now have them in a box lined with soft cloths. Mama is fine with me handling them, but as soon as they squeak she gets very alert and waits for me to put them back in the box, then she checks them out. I'm going to keep them all until they can find good homes.
You seem to be doing such an amazing job!


She is SO lucky to have found you to care for her and her little ones.
 

kittkatt

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Originally Posted by herekittykitty8

You seem to be doing such an amazing job!


She is SO lucky to have found you to care for her and her little ones.
Kudos to you for caring, and for caring for them!
 

stephanietx

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So glad they're doing well!! Did you get mom treated and is her diarrhea taken care of?
 
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goddessbast

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Update on the mama cat and her kittens: all four were adopted (two of them together) and are now in great homes. So is Mama ... in other words, I now have FOUR cats instead of three! She is just beautiful and so sweet and has become more and more of a "kittypet." She has been fixed and still goes out during the day, but spends most of her time indoors. She gets along well with my other cats and is happy and healthy. Fostering these four beautiful kittens--two boys, two girls--was such a wonderful experience. I recommend it to anyone!
 
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