Stray Mama Cat without her kittens

penny67

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I am so lost here, I have had cats all my life, but have never experienced anything like this.

I trapped a stray mama cat after her babies were taken away from her (not sure how old the kittens were but I am sure they were way too young).  The mama cat is in my basement, doing quite well, however, I find her to be acting strange.  When I bring her up to my living room.  I am not sure if she is still calling out for her kittens, if she is calling my male, or if she is calling out because her teets are hurting (she is still full of milk and quite hard).  She meows constantly.

She calls out in the basement but not near as much, not sure if that is a lonely cry or a hurting teets cry.

She loves her tummy rubbed and will flop down like she is nursing, she kneeds and purrs like crazy.  She follows me around like a little puppy and will come to me when I call her.  She will also take treats from my hands.  The strangest thing I have experienced with her is a protectiveness and I am not sure if she is protecting me or if it is because she still has milk and thinks she is protecting babies.  She gets very aggressive around my fixed male cat, more so when she is on my lap.  She will charge at him, swipe at him and scream at him.  Again..not sure if she is protecting me, kittens, or trying to get him interested in her as she walks around with her butt high up in the air as if she is in heat but doesn't howl like she is.  

Am I doing more harm that good by keeping her to socialize her and get her used to people before I find her a forever home?  Will she become so attached to me that she will not do good once moved into a permanent home?  How long does the socialization process take?

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks, Penny
 

clynn11

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There are many different factors here. Depending on how long ago she gave birth, she can definitely be in heat again which could explain the aggression, crying, butt up in the air. She also could be showing aggression towards the male as part of her motherly instincts. I wouldn't be surprised if she's calling out for her babies- especially if they were taken from her so young. Also, if she's filled with milk she's at a very high risk of getting mastitis from the milk no being emptied/drank causing an infection- which can be very painful and would need veterinary care immediately.

As for the socialization part, it's really different for everyone and every cat. I've seen threads on here from 1-2 weeks to months and months to years... but from the sounds of it- your kitty is a stray and not a feral so socialization should be a lot easier on you. You're already way far along into it with her allowing you to rub her belly, etc. She will become attached to you- most definitely. And you to her i'm sure. But if you cannot keep her the best thing is to place her in a loving home that can, and she will adjust.
 
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penny67

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Thank you for replying so quickly.  The kittens were taken away from her on Saturday June 2nd and I trapped her on Wed June 6th.  I am curious if in that time of running free if she could have gotten pregnant again so quickly.  I am told if she is not nursing or the kittens have been weined then she can go back into heat and get pregnant right away.  Is this true?  Is there a possibility she could have become pregnant within those 4 days?
 
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penny67

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Also not exactly sure how long ago she had her kittens.  I was told the kittens were 3 weeks old and someone said 5 weeks. 
 

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To your second question:  It is very good you do socialize and foster her.  She will attach to you, but she will surely also attach to the next person too after awhil, if the forever adopter is nice and good Ma to her...  She will miss you some days after the adoption, but that is the price all rescuers and fosterers do pay.

The adopter  dont need doing fostering any longer.

So proceed with the fostering part.

About the heat etc...  theoretically she may be pregnant anew already.  Although my guess is sooner she is in heat now.  Attacking the male may be part of the courting play...

So, you should also spay her, as soon as this heat is over.  IF it was not heat, spay anyway, even if you suspect she may be pregnant already.   For a vet it is much easier to spay in early pregnancy then during heat.

Good luck!
 

feralvr

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Welcome :hugs: :D !!!!!!!! I think she is in heat and not pregnant, although not sure. I think if she were pregnant, then she would not have the desire to be calling out and wanting to be bred. She may be newly in heat. OH dear, those babies were taken away too soon. 3 weeks possibly :eek:hno: Hope someone is bottle feeding them. :cross: BUT better that they are taken from the outdoors and will be safely raised and socialized. :clap::clap: This momma cat must be an abandoned stray as she is way too friendly to be feral. So that is great news and she will be a very loving kitty for someone once she is spayed and settles down. If the kittens were taken from her too soon and she is still producing milk, then I wonder if she is in pain :dk: I would just try to get her to the vet for an exam and then get the surgery scheduled.

You are doing everything right by this girl :nod: She will adjust to you and anyone else who shows her love, care and the comfort of a home. It is wonderful that you are going to see this through for her. :hugs: :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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penny67

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Thank you both for your comments.  I just cannot take her in for the spaying if she is pregnant, I just can't abort.  I will find homes for all of the babies if that is the case.  She is quite possessive of me around my other cats, in fact she will chase my neutered male away if he comes to close to me.  She is quite the sassy little kitty. 

I had been calling her Little One...but I do believe Sassy is a much more fitting name for her.  I will post a picture of her as soon as I can.  As for her milk, she is losing it, she is not near as swollen and I rub her tummy a few times a day and she seems to just love it.  I am hoping the possessiveness will go away once she is spayed.
 

feralvr

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Little Sassy One :lol3: She WILL calm once she completely adjusts to you and your home. Especially once she is spayed. I do hope that she is not pregnant :cross: You will know soon enough, I hope. :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes: Keep updating us :)
 
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penny67

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Just wondering if anyone knows if I can use polysporin on Little One.  She has something wrong with her leg and it looks raw but not oozing, she won't quit licking it so it is getting worse.  I have been using epsom salts and water and cleaning it daily but it is not healing.  I have no idea what happened as to why she got this sore on her leg, perhaps my male cat bit her and she just won't leave it alone.  
 

StefanZ

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 she got this sore on her leg, perhaps my male cat bit her and she just won't leave it alone.  
If the licking is a big part of the problem, an elisabethanian collar should be a big part of the solution.

About polysporin I dont know much, although here are also some good home remediers. Someone knows for sure. (although better perhaps if you make an own tread of this question, and put it in Health forum).

Do you have possibility to phone and ask your vet and ask this question?

(I suppose you dont afford to visit this vet - although it is the best if possible)).

Good luck!
 
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penny67

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Yes I will be bringing her to the vet this week.  Thanks
 
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