New to this site, need advice on first time queen.

therobotpenguin

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My cat is not quite a year old yet, and just today I realized she's pregnant. She's only in her third/fourth week, and I feel that she should see a vet. Now, I must tell you another short story in order to finish this one. I am in school to be a Vet Tech, and am currently unemployed, living with my parents. My school schedule doesn't allow for employment and I have no money. I haven't had this cat but for maybe 7 months, and she has had no shots, treatments or medication of any kind aside from Acarexx for ear mites about 2 weeks after I got her. I realize that I've been terribly irresponsible with this cat and that I know better. I have planned to get her spayed for months now and do my very best to keep her indoors when she's in heat, but recently she escaped by pushing the screen out my open window and now she's pregnant. I still have absolutely not a penny, and I'm worried I'll never be able to get her to a vet for a check-up or any of the things she needs. I'm really at the end of my rope. Advice?
 

speakhandsforme

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Here's my opinion: I would borrow some money from your parents, if that's at all possible, and do a spay/abort at a low cost clinic. I see you live in Orange City; I can help you find some low-cost clinics in your area (I live in Orlando).

Here is another option for money. http://www.carecredit.com/ Many of us use it and have been very satisfied.

If you have no money for a spay, caring for kittens will be entirely out of your financial reach. It's very sad, but it's really the best thing for them.
 
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therobotpenguin

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I'm checking into this care credit site right now! Thank you so much for the info, I'll keep you posted with how things go :) 
 

missymotus

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Is there government assistance for students? Or borrow from your parents perhaps.

It does cost much more to raise a litter than spaying, especially if things go wrong - c-section ($1000) or sickly kittens requiring vet trips
 

StefanZ

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I do agree with my collegues above. Especielly as spaying now  is medically no big deal as yet, the vet doesnt  need be any great surgeon.

In a way its very good it happened to you now. It is a great Memento "Do Remember" for your future career as vet tech.  Be lucky this is a relatively cheap lesson!

See to it you get the highest mark on THIS here course.     :)

Welcome to our Forums!

Good luck!
 

eb24

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I hope you were able to find a solution with Care Credit or via your parents. I very much commend you for owning up to the responsibility of what has happened with your girl- it takes a lot of courage to admit when we have made mistakes and I applaud you for that.Sometimes our mistakes end up being our best learning experiences so I hope you take something really positive away from this and that you are able to carry it over into your profession as a vet tech. Your story may help clients you encounter not to make the same mistake by waiting! 

If you have not yet found a solution another option would be to start calling around looking for a no-kill shelter that will pay for the cost of the kitten's care and adopt them out in exchange for you keeping them as fosters. I know Florida has one of the largest number of no-kill shelters in the country so it's a feasible option if you are willing to do the leg work. 

I wish you the best of luck in finding a creative solution and doing what is in the best interest of your furry friend. I hope you stay on the forums and use your unique perspective as a vet tech to help others- we can use you! 

Welcome to TCS! 
 

chrystalcar

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I did some research after "my" cat recently gave birth to one kitten and raced off to the vets office in fear of all the negative articles i read online about one kitten litters. I say "my" cat because I have only had her 2 months and believe the owners may still turn up. I'm in a situation a bit like you.

Found a cat, not fixed, now has a kit. What did I learn...I have a happy mama cat that just "glows" with proud delight. And I worried and visited the vets office twice,(got the carecredit card), for no reason at all. Mama cats have a wonderful natural instinct to take care of kits and I am positive your cat will do just purr-fect! Cats do not need to go to the vet like a women goes to check ups.

Also, even though your in a broke bind, I'm happy you are taking care of this cat and doing what you can. I live in public housing, and the feral cats are everywhere and get abused/hit often.

I would rather a cat find a safe home w/out vet care or spay, then be left a feral. There are so many cats and not enough safe homes.

Keep up what your doing, I think your being a good cat owner! you are concerned with the well being of your pet and you no what to do!  You may not be able to afford a spay or vet care now, but nothing lasts forever. I think your cat and future kits will get all the care they need. Your doing what you can and not everything can be done over night, or well 7 months sometimes.

 I struggle with finances,just like 99% of the population and I don't know when my cat will get her shots/fixed but I have no intentions of placing the cat elsewhere. 

So what do I think the best solution is for the current situation ~ keep the cat as an indoor only pet.

As soon as you can afford the vet, go. 

Search for  "special's" like mama kitten combo discounts, maybe a cheaper cost will get your parents to help out.

Best wishes!
 

missymotus

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Mama cats have a wonderful natural instinct to take care of kits and I am positive your cat will do just purr-fect! Cats do not need to go to the vet like a women goes to check ups.
Sorry, but no not all female cats have wonderful natural instincts, things can and do go wrong all the time. No one can be positive things will all be fine.

Singletons are usually fine to begin with too, but mum can come on call a week later, and stay that way ignoring the baby. 

Found cats do require a vet visit, to ensure they are flea & worm free, and healthy. Also to see if they are able to have a spay/abort.
I don't know when my cat will get her shots/fixed 
Just be aware she's at serious risk of getting Pyometra, a sometimes deadly infection if not caught soon enough, from coming into heat. There are low cost programs around the US to help you spay/neuter the mother and kitten.
 
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bigperm20

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I did some research after "my" cat recently gave birth to one kitten and raced off to the vets office in fear of all the negative articles i read online about one kitten litters. I say "my" cat because I have only had her 2 months and believe the owners may still turn up. I'm in a situation a bit like you.   Found a cat, not fixed, now has a kit. What did I learn...I have a happy mama cat that just "glows" with proud delight. And I worried and visited the vets office twice,(got the carecredit card), for no reason at all. Mama cats have a wonderful natural instinct to take care of kits and I am positive your cat will do just purr-fect! Cats do not need to go to the vet like a women goes to check ups.   Also, even though your in a broke bind, I'm happy you are taking care of this cat and doing what you can. I live in public housing, and the feral cats are everywhere and get abused/hit often. I would rather a cat find a safe home w/out vet care or spay, then be left a feral. There are so many cats and not enough safe homes.   Keep up what your doing, I think your being a good cat owner! you are concerned with the well being of your pet and you no what to do!  You may not be able to afford a spay or vet care now, but nothing lasts forever. I think your cat and future kits will get all the care they need. Your doing what you can and not everything can be done over night, or well 7 months sometimes.    I struggle with finances,just like 99% of the population and I don't know when my cat will get her shots/fixed but I have no intentions of placing the cat elsewhere.    So what do I think the best solution is for the current situation ~ keep the cat as an indoor only pet. As soon as you can afford the vet, go.  Search for  "special's" like mama kitten combo discounts, maybe a cheaper cost will get your parents to help out. Best wishes!
I disagree 100% Cats are NOT people. They are animals complete with animal instincts that they have absolutely no control over. You are very lucky that you didn't have to bottle feed that kitten.

Mother cat's do need to go to the vet to be wormed at the very least. Otherwise the worms will be passed to the kittens. You do understand that dormant roundworms lie in most female cats and they are awoken by the pregnancy cycle... Right? They are then passed to the kittens through mom's milk.

If the OP can't afford a vet then a spay/abort is the best thing for the kittens. My town has several low cost spay neuter clinics that will fix a cat for $25-$30. Anyone can afford that.

I'm currently unemployed. Things are tough all over. My 7 mo old has been to the vet 3 times in 2 months. I've eaten A LOT of pork n beans... I make do b/c I love my cats and they come first.
 
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