when do you start feeling the babies?

I just got a kitten from the humane society yesterday. They estimate her to be around 5 months old.
She came to the shelter as a stray. They seemed to think she might be pregnant. Her belly is a little round and her nipples are sticking out (not swolen though). I'm pretty sure I can feel something moving in her belly.
If those are really babies I can feel, how far in her pregnancy would she be?

I do not want her to have kittens. She's just a kitten herself. Plus I wouldn't be able to keep the kittens and the shelter is already overwhelmed with cats. I will get her spayed as soon as possible. I will call the vet today... but I'm not sure how long I'll have to wait for an appointment. It's usually around two weeks. Would that be too long to wait?

I think if you explain the situation to the vet's office when you call for an appointment (tell them that the kitten is pregnant and that you want to spay/abort the kittens) they should be able to get an appointment sooner than 2 weeks.

If they can't get her in before then, perhaps there is another vet nearby that will? There are also plenty of low- or no-cost spay/neuter clinics around the country ... one of our members, TNR, may be along later with a listing of them if you like - where are you located?

~gf~

well, I just called the vet and they can get her in on Monday.

They were a little hesitant because she still needs some vaccination next month, and said it was unlikely she was pregnant at five months but I told them I'd rather not take any chances.

Hopefully all will go well.

Excellent. I am glad you called and that they could get her in quickly. I feel certain she will be just fine and will appreciate having loving, caring people to look after her needs.

And if no one else says this to you today, please allow me to ... You are doing the right thing. And I appreciate it.

~gf~

Originally Posted by gayef

Excellent. I am glad you called and that they could get her in quickly. I feel certain she will be just fine and will appreciate having loving, caring people to look after her needs.

And if no one else says this to you today, please allow me to ... You are doing the right thing. And I appreciate it.

~gf~

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I do think I'm doing the right thing but I never wanted to have to make that kind of decision. It's not easy.
Thank you for the kind words. It means a lot.

I know quite well the heartbreak of having to make such decisions ... it is never easy to do. There are so many people who seem to believe that our cats are like little humans when in fact, they couldn't be any more different from us. Cats certainly do not share our moral codes or standards of personal ethics. They don't have religious or other morally-defined reasons to be pro-life or anti-abortion. Many people seem to think that a female actually forms the thought, "Gee, I wanna grow up and have a bazillion babies and be a wonderful mommy cat!" - and I am here to tell you, it just doesn't happen that way.

While aborting kittens can and often is a gut-wrenching decision, it is most often done in the best interest of the pregnant female and in the future interest of her offspring. But even knowing that it is done for the best can be a double-edged sword when you feel the heartbreak of losing the kittens.

Sending you healing hugs and peaceful light - don't ever let anyone tell you what you did was wrong. It wasn't. It isn't. And it never will be.

Originally Posted by marie-p

I do think I'm doing the right thing but I never wanted to have to make that kind of decision. It's not easy.
Thank you for the kind words. It means a lot.

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Marie...I understand...and I agree with Gaye....I think you did make the right decision. One thing you may want to do later on is join a rescue group and foster a pregnant or nursing mom. That is what I am doing right now...it's saves lives and I know the rescue will find them good homes and they will be spayed.

Katie

Good idea, Katie!!

Originally Posted by marie-p

I do think I'm doing the right thing but I never wanted to have to make that kind of decision. It's not easy.
Thank you for the kind words. It means a lot.

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Yes, you are definitely considering the needs of your cat. You are right that she is too young to be a mom. She is lucky to have been chosen by such a caring, thoughtful Meowmie. Thank you for being responsible enough to do the hard thing in this situation!