stray pregnant kitten

I know she may be half way thru, but I can not keep her from "Straying" and getting pregnant right after having kittens. This litter was less than a week old when she went in heat and run off with another stray. I can not keep her confined since she is a stray. My vet said she could be spayed now.

Do it! One litter is enough. The unborn kittens are nowhere near able to survive on their own. And you've got your hands full already. When can the vet take her?

ok, Heres a big!! problem. the web site for the peta neuter/ scooter says that ferals and strays will be checked for FIV & FeLV and if positive they will be euthanized. omg I can not take that chance. what should I do? Ive read it can be treated, so why would they just kill her? help!!!

also, you say the unborn kittens can not survive on their own. what!? of course unborn kittens cant survive, what did you mean

Do you have a spare room you can keep her in? Possibly if she is not your cat, offically, can you look and see if the local Humane Society has a foster that will take in a pregnant cat?

@sarthur2   please do not push her into having it done, I think its a rather, personal matter between her and the cat.  There is guilt that comes with such a decision, I say so, because once, I took a cat in to be spayed, I thought she wasn't pregnant, I wasn't told and she was spayed. I was upset as I would have taken the kittens. I still feel badly even though it wasn't my fault.

nansiludie said:

 
@sarthur2   please do not push her into having it done, I think its a rather, personal matter between her and the cat.  There is guilt that comes with such a decision, I say so, because once, I took a cat in to be spayed, I thought she wasn't pregnant, I wasn't told and she was spayed. I was upset as I would have taken the kittens. I still feel badly even though it wasn't my fault.

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Honestly, @sarthur2  is a rescuer as I am, and that is what our instincts tell us without another thought. When you see first hand, ALL of the endless kittens who are euthanized every single day at the shelters, it conditions you that way.

It is never without caring, or carelessly thrown out there, it is the reality of the overpopulation, there are not even close to enough homes for all of the kittens born, which means, for every kitten born and taking up a home, an adopter, another will be euthanized for it.

It doesn't come easy. Many years ago when I was first getting into rescue, I was the very same way. I couldn't bare to have a pregnant cat spayed. I fostered her, allowed her to have her babies, then had her spayed.

But eventually, I have been exposed to litter after litter after litter, sent to the shelter, their foster homes are filled, as all of us who have rescue groups are, and they all meet their death. Sweet, innocent kittens and cats.

It's horrifying. 

The OP's cat JUST had a litter, there is no reason for another litter again. Her vitamin reserves are depleted now, having babies takes so much out of them.

I will spay a cat through her 6th week of pregnancy, and sometimes am forced to make that decision to do it even later. It never feels okay at that point, but sometimes it's necessary.

Rather than seeing already born kittens killed, and I believe once they are born they have the right to life, if the choice is between fluffy kittens or unborn, not fully developed babies, I would choose unborn.

Truth be known of course I would rather NOT have to make that choice, that is why I am so pro spaying and neutering all of them!

Also, if you didn't know she was pregnant, then it was very early on in development, it does still feel sad, but it really is best. That's why a vet will just automatically spay/abort anyway once they discover a pregnancy.

Kat Thompson said:

ok, Heres a big!! problem. the web site for the peta neuter/ scooter says that ferals and strays will be checked for FIV & FeLV and if positive they will be euthanized. omg I can not take that chance. what should I do? Ive read it can be treated, so why would they just kill her? help!!!

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This is because they are considered unowned, uncared for. While I do NOT agree with killing an fiv positive healthy cat, felv is another story. (Unowned of course)

If you plan to put her up for adoption, or keep her yourself, be sure they let you know the results BEFORE they do anything in case of a positive test.

If she is healthy, not sickly or skin and bones when you got her, she will likely be negative.

But allowing her to mate is a risk each and every time, as it is the unneutered male cats who fight and contract/spread fiv more than anyone else.

Mating causes males to bite the neck of the female, often too hard and puncturing the skin, which is how he passes these viruses to her.

She in turn will have felv positive kittens, who will not have much time in life, but fiv is not given to the kittens that way.

Not to worry, she's likely fine.

sarthur2 said:

Do it! One litter is enough. The unborn kittens are nowhere near able to survive on their own. And you've got your hands full already. When can the vet take her?

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Kat Thompson said:

also, you say the unborn kittens can not survive on their own. what!? of course unborn kittens cant survive, what did you mean

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It was a little quickly written  But is entirely correct.  It means, abortions as such on cats, and even late abortions, although unpleasant,  isnt as bad as it sounds, comparing with humans.  A human child may survive if delivered or cut out halfways, if the hospital is good enough. Even at in the end of the 5 months as I know.  7, months, no problem, even in a so so hospital in third world country.  The Cangaroo carrying method does marvels with many prematures...   But a kitten? no way!   More than a couple of days too early, and its  is fight uphill.  The record of premature whom made it here on this forum,  without big hellu was  4 days.  That is the record, usually the 4 days too early are goners.  Even if the owners fights on....  

Compare the human months with the weeks of the cats, and you will see a big difference.  

And its in part why human late abortions are so very unpleasant, while on cats its not the same problem.     Not because we care less about cats (we DO care!) but because of  big medical differencies. Not the same strain on the conscience, they arent anyways able to survive.

Kat Thompson said:

ok, Heres a big!! problem. the web site for the peta neuter/ scooter says that ferals and strays will be checked for FIV & FeLV and if positive they will be euthanized. omg I can not take that chance. what should I do? Ive read it can be treated, so why would they just kill her? help!!!

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They cant really be treated these contagions, but being in a controlled home milieu, you can usually manage the situation, if you know what and how to do it.  Its true. 

If you are willing to give her a home, IF she has some of these problems, make sure they know it. 

It may perhaps mean, they will charge you a higher rate, as she is no longer a homeless  TNR, but a protected and owned cat.

But still its worth it, having access to vet with deep experience of this type of  surgery.  (and probably also of obstetricks and  small kitten care).

I hope I had answered your questions!

Good luck!

@catwoman707  I'm sorry but to me its just the same as them being born or not. A kitten's life is a life. For all the kittens, the ones I have rehomed, not many. All were fixed, all went with papers, stating that if no longer able to keep to contact me and please don't leave at shelters. All that I can see is being done is taking the cat's life sooner. Rarely is there reason for kittens being born but they are. Only usually breeders are planned litters. 

@Kat Thompson   Regardless though, I still think that you've done so much for her and her babies as is. That in itself is very commendable. Another thing, I am confused as you say that you can't keep her confined as she is a stray? Ferals are the ones that usually put up a great deal of fuss being confined as they are free spirits, with strays, they were once a pet, and socialized which is why I'm confused. They all are crated in a large dog crate right? If they can be crated, they can be fostered.

@StefanZ  With that I think the program she is using does this as they may only do true feral cats not strays or pet cats or anyone they consider adoptable. There is a program near me that just does that. If able to be handled they won't do it. I'm not sure, is this the case @Kat Thompson?

Hi cat friends.  I took momma cat to my vet and had her tested today.  The FeLV/FIV/HW all came back negative.  This was such a relief to me.  Now I can have her spayed tomorrow and not worry about them euthanizing her because she had the contagions.  The vet said she is healthy and friendly and most likely pregnant too.

The place I am taking her to is a PETA Mobile Clinic.  I had my other 3 females spayed at a Neuter Scooter too.  They told me that the spay surgery is free for the month of May.  They can give her vaccines if I want.  What vaccines should I allow them to give?  They also tattoo spayed females but I can get ear tipping if I want.  Since she is an outdoor cat maybe I should do this since she may stray away from my home.

I am keeping her and the kittens in the crate until the kittens are weaned and adopted.  AT this time, I will allow momma free reign of my back yard with the crate for refuge.  I really can't bring her in my house because of my other overly territorial cats.

I am doing the best I can for this feline family.  I am starting to introduce the kittens to mush so that momma can have a little help in case she dries up after the spaying.  The vet said she should still have milk, but we shall see.

I am glad to hear that she is reasonably well. I am somewhat relieved and then again sad to hear this, but by vaccines, rabies for sure and also FVRCP. Since the vet said she is friendly and healthy, after the kittens are weaned, will you rehome her since you cannot keep her?

why are you sad by this news? It is the best thing to get her spayed. at least there will not be any more unwanted kittens. I will try to find her a forever home, but I dont know if she will do well inside. she does not use a litter box. Ive tried.

Very true but I worry too much. Maybe since she was in the crate with kittens and food/water close by she didn't want to use it?

Kat Thompson said:

why are you sad by this news? It is the best thing to get her spayed. at least there will not be any more unwanted kittens. I will try to find her a forever home, but I dont know if she will do well inside. she does not use a litter box. Ive tried.

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Excellent! It truly is best, you know this as well, good decisions.

FVRCP vaccine and a rabies is all she needs.

I figured she would be negative, but I understand the concern from hearing they will euthanize if positive.

Kittens during weaning process are a MESS!    Food in their eyes, ears, just everywhere! You will be bathing them often during this transition! 

Goodmorning.  Well today is S day for momma.  Pray it all goes well and she can still nurse the babies after.  I know this is the best thing to do for her since she will basically be an outdoor cat.  If I can find a forever home for her I will, but until then, looks like I have a yard cat.

I hope it goes well for you too! She seems happy to be a yard cat, and will have no need to wander off and mate after her surgery. Just had my stray mama spayed 2 weeks ago today. Her kittens were 7 weeks old. It followed a week of mating behavior, which was tough to live with but she was not let out. She was back to nursing within a day. The kittens wanted to nurse right away, but mama wasn't feeling it for about 24 hours, and I did give mama some pain med the evening of the surgery, and once on Sat & once on Sun. (Metacam). Most cats are willing to continue nursing, and easily produce milk afterwards. So hopefully your cat will too! It's wonderful that the spay is free for you! What a blessing! Good luck today!

nansiludie said:

 
I am glad to hear that she is reasonably well. I am somewhat relieved and then again sad to hear this, but by vaccines, rabies for sure and also FVRCP. Since the vet said she is friendly and healthy, after the kittens are weaned, will you rehome her since you cannot keep her?

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I suppose by FVRCP  means what is also often called for the Core Vaccine, in laymans language it may be said its a sort of triple vaccine against distemper and two types of "cat flu".   All three are common diseases and highly congestive, with distemper as the big killer.  That type of vaccine is also the common in Sweden.

And Rabies, as rabies may occur in the USA and the law demands it in many situations.

I dropped momma cat off at the Peta Neuter Scooter this morning for her spay.  They are aware that she may be pregnant and that she is still nursing the first litter.  The vet said she should go back to nursing within a day, so I am going to try to get the babies to eat from the bottle or eat the mush.  So far that has not been too successful.

Since the spay was free I opted to pay for the vaccines.  She will get the FVRCP, Rabies, and FeLV vaccines.  With donation, I only paid $50.  Much better than the $325 I would have had to pay at my regular vet.  So now I have a $100 momma and $200 kittens.  Wow taking care of strays is more expensive than taking care of my own brood.  But I am happy that I am taking care of God's creatures.

I'm a little concerned that the babies will not eat the mush or take the bottle.  Will they be ok with not nursing for 24 hours?  Seems a long time to me.  Hopefully they will be hungry enough this afternoon that they will eat.  Pray they will.
 

It just may be the push they need. Or mama may let them nurse. Otherwise, you can use the syringe to get some formula or mush into them gently and carefully so that it is swallowed and not inhaled. They will need to have something for sure.

Kat Thompson said:

 
I dropped momma cat off at the Peta Neuter Scooter this morning for her spay.  They are aware that she may be pregnant and that she is still nursing the first litter.  The vet said she should go back to nursing within a day, so I am going to try to get the babies to eat from the bottle or eat the mush.  So far that has not been too successful.

Since the spay was free I opted to pay for the vaccines.  She will get the FVRCP, Rabies, and FeLV vaccines.  With donation, I only paid $50.  Much better than the $325 I would have had to pay at my regular vet.  So now I have a $100 momma and $200 kittens.  Wow taking care of strays is more expensive than taking care of my own brood.  But I am happy that I am taking care of God's creatures.

I'm a little concerned that the babies will not eat the mush or take the bottle.  Will they be ok with not nursing for 24 hours?  Seems a long time to me.  Hopefully they will be hungry enough this afternoon that they will eat.  Pray they will.
 

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Great to hear.

I am NOT  one to give the vaccine for felv personally. It is odd to me that she will be given this one.

The ONLY time it is apprpriate is when an felv positive cat lives with other cats inside a home who are negative, otherwise certainly not needed.

I don't know how you feel about this but if it were me, I would call asap and request she not be given this unless it's too late, which it may not be since she will get it after surgery.

Bottle will be impossible, she may nurse right away since they are younger and won't be too rough on her as a bit older kids would be, but a good time to try to get them to eat the formula with kitten canned pate smashed into it making it like a very thick milkshake.