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Pregnant spaying

post #1 of 12
6/21/11 at 7:34pm
Thread Starter 
The stray I brought in turns out to be pregnant. Vet is adamant that the right thing to do is spaying, particularly because he's positive she couldn't be more than nine months old, if even. If I do this, I'm adopting a shelter cat to try and reconcile this with myself, if that could even be possible... Opinions?
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post #2 of 12
6/21/11 at 7:44pm
Hw far along is she? If she's not too far along, I don't really have a problem with it. It is excessively hard to find good homes for kittens, and the chances of them ending up dead in a shelter are fairly high even if you do find them "good" homes. Better to end it before they're even born rather than let them have a chance to suffer like that. My policy with new strays is that if I can't immediately tell they're pregnant, off they go to be spayed and I don't ask any questions.

If she's within a couple weeks of delivering. . .I do find it hard to reconcile that in my mind. Would you be able to afford an emergency c-section (chances are higher since she's so young)? Do you think you'd be able to find decent homes for the kittens? It really is VERY hard.
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post #3 of 12
6/21/11 at 8:56pm
I've done spay/aborts before. It's not an easy decision, but given the sheer number of cats/kittens in need of homes - I think in many cases it's the 'right' thing to do. Especially given how young she is, I'd think the pregnancy itself would be riskier.
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post #4 of 12
6/21/11 at 10:51pm
Pure medically, not too late spay/abortions is no big deal. Many vets prefer this before spaying when in heat. (yes they recommend this in their handbooks) Late abortions difficult, but for an experienced surgeon not too difficult.

The ethics are trickier, of course. Especielly late abortions.

there are also practical considerations. Do you have place and good homes awaiting for the kitties?

To summarize: you do have a vet willing to spay / abort, the mom very young, the pregnancy not late...

for a human mother it would be a great schock, even if young girl (prob with exception of unwanted pregnancy.)
for a cat mother it is relief. for a cat mother taking away her kittens when they are already delivered is a shock, not while in pregnancy.

My advise is to go on and spay.


Good luck!
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post #5 of 12
6/24/11 at 3:51pm
Thread Starter 
I went through with the pregnant spay. It was difficult for me. I haven't slept well the last three nights. She never looked pregnant, the nipples gave it away, and now that she's been spayed you can see how very thin she is... She looks gaunt. After Cat recovers, we'll be adopting another cat, so that those kittens (I think she was ~ 4 weeks) didn't die in vain. Plus, I've got to say, after learning all I have about cats and understanding the misconceptions that exist about them... I really love and respect them.
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post #6 of 12
6/24/11 at 6:33pm
You really shouldn't beat yourself up about the decision you made.If they were born at that stage,they would not have survived,and in the long run,it really was better for her health.Much better to have this done than what could happen to them in a shelter.You were being a good mama!She will recover,gain her weight back and be bouncing around before you know it.Give her a hug for me....and one for you too!
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post #7 of 12
6/24/11 at 7:34pm
I think you did the right thing, she's only a baby herself and shouldn't be having babies. We spay/abort too but it's necessary in shelters because the overpopulation problem is SO bad especially with cats.

I see so many young cats with litters at the shelter I work at.. it breaks my heart because they are just babies themselves. We don't euthanize though thank god and we have foster homes that will take on moms and litters. I am sure you will feel guilty for awhile I would too, but it's not your fault she got pregnant.
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post #8 of 12
6/25/11 at 3:11pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you for all of the support! It means a lot when I've frustratingly heard so many insensitive people say things like,"It's just a cat," or despicably, "I wouldn't care, it's a damn cat, euthanize them all." And, yes, somebody REALLY said that to me.
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post #9 of 12
6/25/11 at 6:35pm
That person was probably a rat in a former life!
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post #10 of 12
6/27/11 at 8:31pm
That is just disgusting someone said that to you. A rat in their next life for sure if they are cat haters.
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post #11 of 12
7/2/11 at 3:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by lizzie View Post
That person was probably a rat in a former life!
My two rats actually enjoy keeping company with their kitty siblings

People are just ignorant and insensitive.
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post #12 of 12
7/2/11 at 3:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by anita1216 View Post
My two rats actually enjoy keeping company with their kitty siblings

People are just ignorant and insensitive.
^This!

Rats are awesome pets
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