My cat will give birth in less than 10 days and I have to move...

Just one month ago I rescued an abandoned cat. The day after, I brought her to the vet, and we discovered she was pregnant of already one month. The vet told me it would be dangerous to spay the cat before giving birth, because she was very weak.

I contacted local shelters and the only thing they could offer her was some cages, so I decided to keep her with me.

The problem is that I have to move in 1 week, next weekend. And I know she will give birth for sure in the next 10 days.

I already have the keys of my new house, and I could start bringing my things this weekend. But I will be still living in the old place because of my job until next weekend.

So I dont know what to do...

Should I bring the cat to the new house so she will have time to explore it and have the kittens there. But knowing I may not be there when she is giving birth (i could visit her every 2-3 days).

Or wait until she gives birth and move her next weekend with all the kittens and all the risk of moving them...

poes said:

Or wait until she gives birth and move her next weekend with all the kittens and all the risk of moving them...

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The risks arent necessarily that big. You have the little family in the nest (or a big carrier) and move...

It is not more complicated than if you must rush in them in to vet for a emergency.

The problem may be if the mom is easy to stress, or if she doesnt manage transports well.

Moms stressed into extreme may be dangerous to the kittens.

Is the move very long?  You can plan on precautions to lessen the stress.  Feliway spray, classical har music in the car and new place, etc...

People who must move with their cat, everything at the same time, are recommended to first they do, set in the cat and his things in the bathroom, close it etc, and proceed with the moving in while the cat is in this bathroom, decently undisturbed by the moving helpers, etc...

You too can do so, including Feliway...

You can also do so BEFORE the move still in the old place.  While everything is a mess, or packed in.  The batroom  being the only undisturbed place.

Nay, I think the real problem is, what if she doesnt deliver before?  Ie, the delivery comes just in the moment you MUST move away...

IF she were semiferal, moving her before and giving birth alone could be an alternative. Her situation would still be better than most homeless semiferales outside.

But if she is an dumped ex home cat, she will surely want your protection....  she doesnt want to be abandoned again.

Tx for caring!

Good luck!    *vibes*

ps.  Welcome to the TCS site and our Forums!

Thanks for your reply,

I don't really know if the cat is semi-feral, but she approached humans really easily when i got her. I just needed some food to attract her. At the same time she was also scared of people after she was with me. as the girl that found her told me, she was kicked several times by people passing by (i found her in a very crowded zone, close to a train station). She is a really young cat (6 months old) and she's been really nice with me the last month, even if I could only offer her a very small place to live.

The main problem with moving is that I don't have a car anymore, so I have to do it by train, and I have to take three trains to get there, full of people and noises.

I'm thinking about a third option, like moving myself with her this weekend. It will take long for me to go to work... but I think its worth it. The new place is much bigger and I think much better for her

Cant you lend a car just for the moving? Or ask someone to give you the ride, together with the cat family? 

People often do if they do get a good excuse.  Even people who arent friendly to you, and would probably not do you any favor.  But as you explain the need for the cat family - many do weak.

They had these psychologial experiments. for example. Standing in a queue people almost never allow  others to get in before their time.  But if the other gives an excuse - most do let them in. Even if the excuse is really no excuse...  Essentially being a "Because numble numble."..

You do as you can. 

She doesnt sound semiferal from what you tell. Almost surely an abandoned or astray.

Good luck!   *vibes*

Poes, this is SO good of you to take in this cat.

My advice, is to call the shelter(s) you originally called.  They may have a volunteer who would welcome the opportunity to help you with the transportation issue--and provide some advice about this very issue.

Ritz said:

My advice, is to call the shelter(s) you originally called.  They may have a volunteer who would welcome the opportunity to help you with the transportation issue--and provide some advice about this very issue.

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Yeah, this is a piece of good advice.

If you got her from a shelter, this is a naturaly way.  If you are a spontan adopter, you can try with this anyway.  You do already have the telephone numbers, and names of people in charge, so almost half of this work, phoning them, is done.

Good luck!
 

If you can safely move with her, I agree this is hte best option, even if it means a longer journey for you to work. But do get someone to take you by car and put her in a really comfortable large carrier or cage for hte trip. Good luck, it is great what you are doing for her.

poes said:

<snip>

I'm thinking about a third option, like moving myself with her this weekend. It will take long for me to go to work... but I think its worth it. The new place is much bigger and I think much better for her

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Sounds like a plan to me, but make sure you can get her to a vet in the unlikely event of her needing help.
 

Hello everyone, thanks for your answers...

I finally moved yesterday. A colleague of mine helped me with the car

Now, news about her:

Early this morning a green mucus started to get out from her vulva. I suppose its the mucus plug. Now she is on my bed and i found a dark stain on it. There's no more mucus, but a darker liquid coming out... Birth imminent?

Update:

She finally gave birth!

The first one was born death, or died immediatly. It didnt move at all, but I could see something pumping inside its belly... The mum tried everything, but didnt work. Later 2 red ones, a blackie and a calico were born All look very healthy, and the mom exhausted. I'm not really sure if she still has more to come... I wouldnt be surprised.

They can come several, even many, hours apart.

So if mom seems ok and contend, no need to panic.

But if mom pushing and nothing comes out, or very tired unusually long...

Be observant, but dont be too anxious.  

Sad about nr 1, but it happens quite often. Not so seldom nr 1.

Good luck!   *vibes*

I am glad you were able to be with her - you found a good solution. A shame about the first kitten, but congratulations on four healthy ones.