,New to caring for a very pregnant cat who happens to be semi-feral

chaucer

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I've been reading this forum a lot and I've started a couple of topics on here about my semi-feral rescue cat but they had to do with specific issues like her shots and toilet habits, but I'm very nervous about the upcoming births, which should be any day now. I've read so much about mothers and kittens and some of it is disturbing.  I'm not a stranger to having cats and have a neutered male at the moment, but having a pregnant cat who is also semi-feral has been worrisome as I am not so comfortable doing things that I might do for one that I've had for a long time or raised from a kitten.

Henryetta has been "mine" since early April, although I'd been feeding her since early December. She is very friendly to me but I expect that may change once the kittens arrive. I'm hoping she does not revert to her more feral side. She was most likely abandoned when the people across the street moved out in November. Everything I do has to be geared to keeping her trust in me.

She's nesting right now in one of the birthing areas I've set up for her in the storage room. It's a box turned on its side with a rug and some towels in it. The den is located under a desk that has a blanket partially draped to give more privacy.  While I don't want to disturb her nesting box, I don't want the kittens to be suffocated by the mess she has made of the towels. Should I fix the towels back or leave them alone?
 

lolasky

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I have set up about 3 birthing spots for Lola, will see if she chooses one!  Also got one like yours under a desk with a blanket draped over..am sure Mamas will re-arrange the bedding to suit them 
 
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chaucer

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I guess they will, LolaSky. Since I don't really "know" Henry, I'm not sure of her reactions to things. I also don't know if this is her first pregnancy. The vet and I think she is maybe 2.
 

lolasky

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We have had Lola for a year, she was taken from her mum far too soon and was struggling so we took her in (she was only 7 weeks) she can be a bit feral in that she isn't a very hands on cat, am hoping motherhood calms her down but must admit I am worried in case she is as snappy with the kittens as she is with us!
 
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chaucer

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I see. She didn't have socialization early on. That's something I hope to be able to do with Henry's kittens, if she will let me. Henry has been with me for nearly a month. Staying in my laundry room was too much for all of us - her, Chaucer and me. She wanted out of there, he wanted in and I wanted to do laundry. The storage room is large and I've added rugs for her. When the kittens get bigger, I'll have to do some blocking of places to prevent them getting stuck or installing some baby gates in one area to contain them.
 
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chaucer

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Today I went out to the storage room and she had turned her food bowl, still full of dry kitten food, over and it was all over the rug.  She'd dug through more of the "den, kicking the towel completely out and bunching up the bath rug that was under the towel,  and then in another box she messed up the towel and newspapers, but she seemed to be spending her time on the fleece throw that was under a chair.  However, she also seemed to have had diarrhea, as it was along the sides of her litter box, for which I was grateful after the food spill, and the box was "full," even though I'd cleaned it the day before. I filled it with fresh (and non-clumping which makes things look worse anyway) this morning. I did not see the kittens moving today and while she was still purring and rubbing around my ankles, she was not quite so loving this morning.  I have a feeling the kittens will come tonight or tomorrow. would hold out until Saturday because I have to go out-of-town tomorrow morning and will be leaving my house before 7:00 AM. I'll be gone all day. My yard person is coming today so if she has them sometime today and there is a problem, he could help me.  See, I'm a little nervous about all of this, but after the shots, the sedation, the trauma of being an outdoor cat brought inside and the trip down the fireplace ash chute, I have my reasons.  Also, several days ago I noticed what I thought was some blood on the storage room floor. Now, it could have been stains like on the driveway, but it seemed to be more of a trail, but it could have been there a while and I just didn't notice.
 
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chaucer

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True, LolaSky.

Henryetta is acting odd with all the digging and dumping  over her food, and the diarrhea kind of worries me. I can now touch her sides a little and can definitely feel kittens, but they aren't moving. I hope that is "normal" as it is 63-64 days now. If the kittens don't come by Sunday night, I will take her to the vet (not the one I took her to who wormed her, sedated her and gave her shots knowing she was pregnant without my authorization.) 

Are you able to feel the kittens moving?
 
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chaucer

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She had her kittens on May 1st. I think there are five but it is difficult to tell since they are about the same color, wiggle around, pile up and are on a fleece under a chair. Hopefully, after everything she went through, the kittens are healthy, but I haven't been able to check them  yet since I don't want to upset the new mother.
 

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  Thank you for the update!!! Glad to know that the birthing was uncomplicated, especially with all the big changes in Henryetta's  life.  My heart soars every time  I learn of one less homeless mama kitty fending for herself & her little family. Her babies are safe and she has food & shelter and I'm sure there will be lots of toys & scritches for all, when the time is right. Bless you for caring for her/them
 
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chaucer

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Thank you, catsknowme!  I don't know how much I've done but Henryetta is still sweet to me and since the room is big, there's plenty of space for them to play. My concern is that I have a lot of things store out there and kittens could get stuck under things, so I've got to come up with a way to contain them in one area.  I've thought about those big kitten/cat cages and then could donate it to the local shelter, but then what about Henryetta. She's too big to be in there with five (or six) 5-10 week-old kittens, and she would want to get out for a while.   I've considered getting several baby-gates and putting them in an area, but kittens could climb them when they are older. I hope someone here may have a good suggestion.

We've come a long way from when Henryetta would run if she saw me through the glass patio door back in early December!  I think I probably could have gotten her inside before she became pregnant but then I was a little uncertain about trapping her, not knowing what her reaction would be. I don't know how long I'd have gone if I hadn't found her lying on the doormat looking a little ill. I really thought she had lost the kittens and felt I HAD to get her to the vet. I put a towel in Chaucer's carrier, which has chicken-wire sides and made of wood and iron. It was the open mesh that worried me with claws and teeth, but it went really well. I put a little wet food in the back and in she went. Barely made a sound on the drive to the vet's. She remembered me two days later when I picked her up. I brought her into the house, putting her in the laundry room, where she stayed about 10 days with an occasional visit to the rest of the house, but it wasn't working with two cats at that time.   Now Chaucer was another story.  He was curious and then got to where he "attacked" her briefly on two occasions. He "knew" her from the outside and they'd touched noses and she'd hissed at him through the screen, but they ate breakfast "together" every morning through the glass or screen. Currently, I let him smell my hands when I come in from the storage room to keep her scent around.
 
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chaucer

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Should I move the kittens to a box?  They are still on the blanket under the chair, but they were born the evening of May 1st and going on 5 days old. Two or three are starting crawl around and moving off the blanket. One was headed into a box nearby. I turned the box so it could not get in and blocked another possible "exit," so now it's just the front that is open. I'm concerned that since Henryetta is a semi-feral, although she seems to trust me, and I don't want her to harm the kittens or reject t hem if I move them to a box, assuming she will even let me do this when she is drinking or in her litter box. What should I do?  I don't want them to move off the blanket and get lost or stuck somewhere. 
 

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Should I move the kittens to a box?  They are still on the blanket under the chair, but they were born the evening of May 1st and going on 5 days old. Two or three are starting crawl around and moving off the blanket. One was headed into a box nearby. I turned the box so it could not get in and blocked another possible "exit," so now it's just the front that is open. I'm concerned that since Henryetta is a semi-feral, although she seems to trust me, and I don't want her to harm the kittens or reject t hem if I move them to a box, assuming she will even let me do this when she is drinking or in her litter box. What should I do?  I don't want them to move off the blanket and get lost or stuck somewhere. 
I think I would do the same and move them to a large box. Can you put the pink blanket in the box or is the blanket too big? No matter, I bet Henryetta would approve of some new clean and soft bedding. :cross: I think the box will be a good "nest" for the little ones and they won't fall out when they wiggle about. Give it a try for sure and maybe Henryetta will approve. :) Start handling those babies everyday too, don't be afraid to do so. Henryetta trusts you explicitly and this will only solidify your bond - being a helpful nurse. :D

SOOOOOO happy to hear that all is well and Henryetta has five very healthy babies. What a great momma. :heart2: Can't wait for more pictures when you get a chance :pix: :clap:
 
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chaucer

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I managed to pick up the kittens while Henryetta was eating. She came over to see what I was doing and then went back to her breakfast. I got the fleece blanket and moved the kittens onto the large fleece dog bed with it's rounded edges. I still don't have them in a box but this should help for now. I've started to name them: Gulliver, Magellan, Viking, Celt and Harry (for Prince Harry, naturally).
 

feralvr

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BE STILL MY HEART !!!!! :thud: Look at how happy and relaxed Henryetta is and it appears that she is kneading too. :lol3: The names are just perfect for them - very strong and distinguished !! :clap: They are all so darling - little red and white tabbies and a couple of buff and white tabbies. Very, very darling. I am sure that Henryetta does not mind one bit you handling her babies. She trusts and loves you. :D Thanks for sharing the picture in this thread. :hugs: :hugs: This went SO well and you have done a wonderful thing for Henryetta and her new little family. :heart3:
 

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They are a darling little pile of cat fur. Love those yellow babies and she is one proud looking mama.:nod:
 
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chaucer

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Thank you, guys.

Yes, she is kneading. She reaches out her paw to me and gives me a soft "high-five." She was kneading in front of me back in early February. I'd talk to her and she would stand there kneading on the ground. She kneads the kittens, too. She's a "kneader." 

There are five kittens,- one is almost all buff-colored and the others orange or buff.  They all appear to be male when I've glimpsed their undercarriages.
Wish one had looked like her because she does have interesting markings.

I hope she and Chaucer can make friends after she is spayed. I'd like to keep her in the house and not the storage room or laundry room.

Thank you all for being so helpful. I've had cats before but never one who was a stray/semi-feral and certainly not one that was pregnant. We've come a long way since early December.
 
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chaucer

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A few concerns/questions

One of the kittens doesn't seem to be as mobile as the others. I don't mean he is crippled but perhaps has mild CH. I noticed some mild head tremors.

Henryetta could go into heat in a couple of weeks, so when should I have her spayed?  I  I have read that a new mother could be spayed when the kitten are 6-7 weeks, but since she would have to be at the vet's overnight, at least, and have the fresh incision, that doesn't seem like a good idea.

The kittens eyes are opening and they are becoming more active. I've helped redirect them back on the fleece bed, which has a small roll around the edges and have protected out from that with rolled-up towels, but the kittens tiny claws can get caught in the towel.   I have fixed a dresser drawer with Henryetta's original fleece towel in it but she seems uninterested, even though it is very close to where she is now. Should I move the kittens and hope she will join them or will this distress her and she will  move the kittens back to the floor on that fleece bed or, worse, move them somewhere I can't find them?

As always, any ideas, advice, suggestions or own experiences with these things would be very appreciated.

Thank you!
 

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A few concerns/questions

One of the kittens doesn't seem to be as mobile as the others. I don't mean he is crippled but perhaps has mild CH. I noticed some mild head tremors.

Henryetta could go into heat in a couple of weeks, so when should I have her spayed?  I  I have read that a new mother could be spayed when the kitten are 6-7 weeks, but since she would have to be at the vet's overnight, at least, and have the fresh incision, that doesn't seem like a good idea.

The kittens eyes are opening and they are becoming more active. I've helped redirect them back on the fleece bed, which has a small roll around the edges and have protected out from that with rolled-up towels, but the kittens tiny claws can get caught in the towel.   I have fixed a dresser drawer with Henryetta's original fleece towel in it but she seems uninterested, even though it is very close to where she is now. Should I move the kittens and hope she will join them or will this distress her and she will  move the kittens back to the floor on that fleece bed or, worse, move them somewhere I can't find them?

As always, any ideas, advice, suggestions or own experiences with these things would be very appreciated.

Thank you!
Your SUCH A SUPER dad right now and SO very caring, it warms my heart to no end. :heart3: :hugs: :heart3: Don't worry about the little kitten just yet - I think that as long as that particular kitten is able to nurse and get to momma then all will be well. Another week or so will tell you much more on this kitten. :nod:

What about finding a large, tall box and cut out the middle so Henryetta can easily climb in and out but the kittens can't roll out? If you keep the same bedding, etc, then Henryetta probably won't mind. You could try it and see if mom agrees. No harm will be done. OR - take the drawer out that you are speaking of and put it where the fleece bed. Replace the fleece bed with the drawer. Is it big enough do you think?
 
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