I trapped my stray, and I also need advice!

Okay, do you people remember that pregnant pregnant stray I was talking about a few days ago? I have grown to call her by the name Luna (Spanish for Moon).

I trapped her. I always have kept the cage which was Moab's former prison in working order for this type of situation, so I simply took her up and placed her there inside, and locked it all, and she is right there. That happened a few minutes ago. I already called the vet about it, and he says he can spay a pregnant cat, but since she's a stray with no previous records he will have to do a physical first. Fine, I will take her tomorrow for a physical and vaccinations and the next day have her spayed.

She's growling, an awful lot. But only when either me or my mom shows up at the garage which is where the cage is and she will start meowing at us desperately to get her out. If you leave her alone in there for a while, she will stop.

I have already read the other thread of the person who trapped the feral cat, and all of the sudden have the doubts of wether she's prego, or if she's actually nursing. Because her nipples were actually big. Not that big, just getting bigger, and they weren't like that a week ago. Kinda like starting to get big, just now. And she is fatter than before. I still feel its pregnant and not nursing, because I haven't found any sign of kittens, and she's getting fatter and fatter (big round belly), which isn't exactly a sign of someone who just gave birth.

And well, I must confess... that this is my first TNR effort ever.

What should I do now?

Keep it seperate from any other cats you have. Take it to the vet. Treat it very carefully, don't move real fast or suddenly. Keep it warm enough and provide fresh water and food. Good luck. I am sure you will get a lot more posts here with what else you can do to help.

Well done Victor.

It sounds like you have checked for all the signs of nursing (flattened, moist or missing fur around enlarged nipples), coupled with the fact that her abdomen is getting larger. I would recommend doing exactly what you were planning to do - a trip to the vet tomorrow for a check-up and, as hard as it is, a spay. For today, try not to go in and out of the garage too much, as this will stress her. Make sure she has all the comforts and leave her be until it's time for the vet visit tomorrow.

Originally Posted by Kumbulu

Well done Victor.

It sounds like you have checked for all the signs of nursing (flattened, moist or missing fur around enlarged nipples), coupled with the fact that her abdomen is getting larger. I would recommend doing exactly what you were planning to do - a trip to the vet tomorrow for a check-up and, as hard as it is, a spay. For today, try not to go in and out of the garage too much, as this will stress her. Make sure she has all the comforts and leave her be until it's time for the vet visit tomorrow.

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Nope, there is no flattened, moist or missing fur, in fact, the enlarged nipples are buried in the fur, and you have to look a bit to find them (You woulndn't see them at plain view due to the fur).

I have left her food and water, a small litterbox, and the cage always has a little cardboard box, with a towel so she can sleep on it if she feels cold (It gets down to the sixties in the night this time of year).

I have had to reinforce the cage by surrounding any part that can be opened with heavy hard to move stuff (Mostly 20 lb. bags of cat litter and boxes of canned cat food), because she is acting a bit persistent in getting out. More persistent than any other cat I've had to lock there before.

Hi Victor - Sounds to me like you're doing all the right things, especially about taking this kitty to the vet. Just move slowly and speak softly whenever you're around the cage and/or need to put fresh food in, etc.

The vet will be able to tell if this kitty is pregnant, or is a nursing mom cat.

Congratulations on your first TNR! Since you've done the trapping part, and are about to do the neutering, have you thought about the release of this cat? Is the area you trapped her in safe enough for her to return to? Will you be able to provide a sturdy shelter, and food & water for her continuously? These are important questions you'll need to consider over the next week while Luna recuperates from her spay surgery.

You're doing a great thing for Luna (pretty name, by the way) and you should feel proud of yourself! Way to go, Victor!

PS- Don't forget to ask the vet to give you pain meds for Luna to take at home (in her food).

BuenÃ:censor:simo Victor (Argentine Sp y'know) Kudos on having trapped and taking care of this kitty. All the luck in the world..and keep us posted, would like to know how it went. I haven't trapped a very pregnant female yet but there's always a first time..

Originally Posted by KTLynn

Hi Victor - Sounds to me like you're doing all the right things, especially about taking this kitty to the vet. Just move slowly and speak softly whenever you're around the cage and/or need to put fresh food in, etc.

The vet will be able to tell if this kitty is pregnant, or is a nursing mom cat.

Congratulations on your first TNR! Since you've done the trapping part, and are about to do the neutering, have you thought about the release of this cat? Is the area you trapped her in safe enough for her to return to? Will you be able to provide a sturdy shelter, and food & water for her continuously? These are important questions you'll need to consider over the next week while Luna recuperates from her spay surgery.

You're doing a great thing for Luna (pretty name, by the way) and you should feel proud of yourself! Way to go, Victor!

PS- Don't forget to ask the vet to give you pain meds for Luna to take at home (in her food).

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Yes, I can do all that. In fact, I have fed cats before for extended amounts of time... just that the two that have done that ended up becoming indoor cats (Saladina and Moab). I can provide her a steady supply of water and food for years to come, (In fact, I usually leave some cat food in the garage just in case there's some fella I haven't noticed). As for sturdy shelter, my garage is an open garage (very common type in this region) so she had always spent her nights in the garage. And if a hurricane comes I can always trap her for the duration of the hurricane.

Okay guys, I have just come from the vet checkup.

She IS pregnant. 40 days pregnant, in fact. I have got an appointment for the vet to have her spayed 7 days from now. She cannot be spayed sooner because she has to be deparatised, and I have been given the medication. Once a day, for three consecutive days.

Next Monday, the day of my 16th birthday I have to take her between 7 AM to 9 AM fasting.