Adopting a VERY pregnant cat.

Also, two questions, one can I use one of those dry bean/rice heatpads for the kittens as long as I make sure its not too hot? And when can I introduce Arnie and her babies to my other cats? One cat, Callie, I'm afraid she'll hurt or kill the babies, and I don 't want to let her around them until the babies are big enough to slap her back with their paws. The other cats will probably just sniff the babies and leave well enough alone, they're pretty mellow and really don't have a care in the world.

I lied, another question. I keep reading that if Mama doesn't do it, I'll need to help the kittens poop? I don't mind doing it, just what exactly does that mean? Correct me if I'm wrong, but that doesn't mean literally helping them poop, right? Just wiping their butts clean?

Okay, in preparation for the births, I've made a newborn kitten box. I've got string to tie umbilical cords, scissors to cut them, gloves, honey in case kittens need an energy boost, making a heat pad tomorrow, going to wash towels/blankets/ect, going to borrow a scale from someone or other, the rescue is going to bring KMR and a bottle or syringe, I have a 10mL syringe. What else do I need? I've got a box set up for her to have her babies and once they're all born, I'm tossing that box out since it'll be all bloody and transferring them to a bigger box to stay in. I have a smaller box in case there's a large litter and I need to rotate nursing kittens, I'll stick half in the little box while the other half nurses. What else?

You are really excited!

First thing to know is Arnold is not going to want any other animals near her before the birth or  near her or the kittens for the first 3 or 4 weeks.  She will need somewhere dark or with low lighting for the first few weeks, like a closet or spare bedroom with curtains drawn.  Temperature is important, the kittens need to be kept warm, so if there is AC make sure it's not chilly where the kittens are.  She will need food (wet and dry - kitten food is best), water and litter box nearby.

Some unflavored pedialyte would come in handy in case the kittens get diarrhea, also a can of pumpkin - not the pie spice for mom in case she has diarrhea.  Olive oil or veggie oil for constipation and to soothe mom's nipples if the litter is large.

Lots of kitten food!  Mom will be very hungry before giving birth and while nursing.  Kitten food has more vitamins, which mom will need and will also be passed on to the kittens through her milk.

Keep us updated.

Try scared to death.

You'll be fine. Keep using this thread for any questions you have.

Stormy Bledsoe said:

 
I lied, another question. I keep reading that if Mama doesn't do it, I'll need to help the kittens poop? I don't mind doing it, just what exactly does that mean? Correct me if I'm wrong, but that doesn't mean literally helping them poop, right? Just wiping their butts clean?

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What about that^?

Kittens can't pee and poop on their own.  Mom usually takes care of that when she cleans them.  You rub their belly gently to get things moving.  then using your finger tap gently above their anus and wipe with a warm slightly damp cloth.  You can use the damp cloth to rub their belly using strokes like mom does when she cleans them.

Did Arnaldo have her kittens yet?

We have kittens!!!

Unfortunately, Arnold is not yet in my custody. She had her babies in someone's speedboat and the lady who was feeding her has decided that she and the babies are perfectly okay in a boat. The woman at Furbaby Rescue cussed her out and I have to agree. Yeah, they're safe, until the owner drives off with the boat!!!

Furbaby Rescue is going to go get her this weekend.

Also, since these kittens were born "in the wild" is there any extra care they'll need? I'm in Nebraska and its due to get cold and they're in a boat. I know they're probably going to be cold and hungry, so heat pads/water bottles and KMR feedings, but anything else?

with a little luck, not much else. But the customary deworming when its time, defleasing if necessary.   Outside born has sometimes problems with eye infections, so some standard antibitic oilment us useful.    And they may be infested with some micro-parasites, like giardia or coccidia.  Not all, even not most, but it happens with the outside born.

Stormy Bledsoe said:

 
Also, since these kittens were born "in the wild" is there any extra care they'll need? I'm in Nebraska and its due to get cold and they're in a boat. I know they're probably going to be cold and hungry, so heat pads/water bottles and KMR feedings, but anything else?

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Is the rescue group bringing mom and kittens? They need their mom!

If mom's been feeding them well they should not need supplementing. Mom's milk is best. Once you get weights and see how well they nurse you'll know.

How many kittens are there?

It's a shame no one could get the mom before she gave birth.

No idea how many kittens there are[said the woman only said they were born, not how many]  and yes, the rescue will bring mama and babies, they won't seperate them.

That's good to know. The kittens are too young to know they were born outside.

Let us know after you get them later.

I have good news and bad news.

Good news first. We have six healthy kittens.

Bad news. Before Furbaby Rescue could go get Arnie and babies, the boat owner took the boat away.

Back to good news. The boat is currently in the same city I am.

More bad news. My city has 430,000 people.

Good news. Arnie is with her babies.

I am trying everything I can to find her and the babies, including posting on Facebook, posting on the local Buy/Sell/Trade Facebook, posting flyers, and wandering around looking for anyone who has a boat and banging on doors. The kittens are about 2 weeks old now. I'm scared something is going to happen to one of them or Arnie.

Try your local news station and see if they will put the story on the air to find the boat owner.

I cannot imagine who would be feeding the mother cat! I also don't understand why the cat and kittens were left in the boat for so long once it became known that they were there.

What's the update on this unfortunate situation?

I've got an ad in the paper, and I'm trying ton convince the news channel to air a bit about Arnie and babies, but no luck so far. Still driving around banging on the doors of anyone who lives near the river or a lake or anyone with a boat near their house.

What about where the boat was parked?

Wasn't it parked near the home of a woman who was feeding the mom cat? Does no one in that neighborhood know the boat owner? Seems someone would know the owner if the boat was parked in a residential neighborhood.

The boat should be registered to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Owner could be traced if you know an address. Could have been traced through a boat tag.