HELP! Need advice/help for safe kittens and Mom.:

doglover

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I am really a dog person.
But recently this cat kept coming around and asking to "come in". Finally we let her. She was obviously not stray/feral but had not tag. We called the police and no one was looking for her. We were going to bring her to the aspca but while we waited we noticed she was the SWEETEST cat. I've "known" cats and this was one of the sweetest ones we'd ever seen.
We didn't know if she was spayed but planned to bring her. Then suddenly we noticed that she had (though we had kept her indoors) swollen nipples and a large, round belly. We had her for three weeks and the vet said she probably got pregnant just before she came in. The earliest appointment for spaying is too late so she will probably have to have the babies. I think I can manage alright but I have a few concerns. This is probably her first litter (Doc said she is "just" a year) so Doc said I may have to help alot. I have read about cutting cord and tearing open sac if she does not. But my concern is which comes first? I REALLY don't want any kittens dying on me. The cord is still attached to the mother before it is cut right? Do you cut the cord first? Or tear open sac first/ and get baby breathing (i.e. rubbing, sucking our fluids etc.)..... My concern is that if I wait while the cord is being cut the baby will suffocate but someone said that the baby can't breathe untill the cord is cut. HELP! I am nervous! I want baby and mom to be okay.
 

etcrame

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Hello!

You sound the same way I was when I found out that my cat was actually pregnant instead of having a 'false pregnancy' like we had thought. There is a 'welcome' thread I believe the second post down in this pregnant board. In there you will find a link to caring for pregnant cats and labor and delivery. What I did was print it up and had it by me when the time came so that if I needed it, I'd have it at hand instead of running to the computer! I also printed up info on kitten feeding and keeping them warm. But, I think the latter information was on another site. I wanted to be prepared only for the fact that this was my girls' first litter.

I hope all goes well! You'll find this place is the best!!!


Take care and welcome to the boards!
 

etcrame

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Just thought I'd add....
My girl ended up having a c-section last Thursday and had I not been reading up on this site, I might not have known what the heck was going on with her. I was able to post on here my concerns and even added a picture for reference and was immediately made aware of what it was and what to watch for. You have definately came to the right place!
 

jen

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Have you looked around for another vet to spay her or a low cost clinic? You can still get her spayed while pregnant and then she will not have the babies and you don't have to worry about then spaying and neutering her AND all her kittens, plus vaccinating all of them AND testing momma and worming them all...that will be expensive! Plus then you have to find them new homes when they are 10-12 weeks old.
 

charmed654321

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There are sites where you can find low cost spay neuter clinics in your area. Try http://www.lovethatcat.com/spayneuter.html and look for your state. They might be able to find one that can accommodate you immediate if you want to do that, but you should act on it as soon as possible, as the later the pregnancy gets, the more difficult.

If you do end up letting her have the kittens, I don't think you're going to have to help as much as you think. A year-old cat should be okay, unless there are complications.

Also, please do not give any cats or kittens to the aspca, where they might end up euthanized.

There are a lot of no-kill rescue groups that will be happy to help. Go to www.petfinder.com, and click on rescue groups and shelters in the upper right hand area, then to your state. They might also be able to help with finding a spay resource also.

Good luck
 

mommaoftwo2006

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Originally Posted by Charmed654321

There are a lot of no-kill rescue groups that will be happy to help. Go to www.petfinder.com, and click on rescue groups and shelters in the upper right hand area, then to your state. They might also be able to help with finding a spay resource also.

Good luck
Not all of the shelters on that site are NO-KILL shelters..I know for a fact that one of the ones listed in my city/state put them down if they are not adopted in a certain amount of time...I would suggest calling and asking if they are a NO-KILL shelter before taking any animals to any shelter
 
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