how much should i help?

michelle mayall

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this could be a long one
i have read so much advice on here from expierenced people, yesterday at work i was talking to a collegue at work who breeds cats not sure which breed but there are pure breeds, i was telling her about missy and in conversation i mentioned that i had bought certain things ie sterile sissors, betadine syringes formula feeding bottles heat pad to name but a few JUST IN CASE we needed them i wanted to be prepared she then went off on one telling me who was i to act like god
she said that if missy didnt help the kitten then i should leave it because missy would know that there was something wrong with it, im prepared to do what ever it takes to revive a kitten if that is the case ie cpr mouth to mouth whatever. would i be wrong to do so ?????????
i understand that if she was a wild cat living in the wild then that would be nature but she is domesticated.
please can you advise me i have no expierence with pregnant cats or kittens so you are my guide.
 

gayef

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Originally Posted by michelle mayall

... i was talking to a collegue at work who breeds cats ... and in conversation i mentioned that i had bought certain things ie sterile sissors, betadine syringes formula feeding bottles heat pad to name but a few JUST IN CASE we needed them ... she then went off on one telling me who was i to act like god
she said that if missy didnt help the kitten then i should leave it because missy would know that there was something wrong with it ...
Well, first of all, let me just say this: HOW RUDE of this person! She has absolutely no right whatsoever to say such things to you. While, yes, it is true that nature will take it's own course despite our best efforts sometimes, the operative phrase in that comment is DESPITE OUR BEST EFFORTS. That means that we do make efforts, we don't ignore a problem and watch it suffer and die! There have been many a kitten who didn't come into this world under the best of circumstances and who have been helped by a compassionate person such as yourself - and a number of those kittens are now happy and healthy. So, don't let this discourage you, please. The chances are that everything will go smoothly, but being prepared is always - let me repeat that for emphasis - ALWAYS a good idea.

Originally Posted by michelle mayall

... im prepared to do what ever it takes to revive a kitten if that is the case ie cpr mouth to mouth whatever. would i be wrong to do so ?????????
No, IMO, it isn't wrong to try. However, there are instances where it is best to let nature do it's will - catastrophic physical defects would be one example. But again, many a kitten have come into this world under less than ideal circumstances and have gone on to grow up healthy because some caring person was there to assist.

Originally Posted by michelle mayall

... please can you advise me i have no expierence with pregnant cats or kittens so you are my guide.
Most kitten deliveries go without incident. So, take solice in that for now. Think positively and don't borrow trouble, for as someone very wise once said to me, trouble finds us well enough all on it's own.
 
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michelle mayall

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thank you for such a quick reply, im very much the type of person who would do anything for anyone or anything i couldnt see myself ever leaving a kitten to die unnessasary.
thank you again
 

beckiboo

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I've heard that Mom knows best, and if she abandons a kitten it is because something is wrong with it. I'm sure that is true sometimes. But with my last litter born here, I noticed one baby who had just been born, and the Mom did not seem to want to clean it up or anything. The kitten was still in the sac, and not moving. I gave it a bit of time, then decided it wouldn't hurt to try. So I cleaned it up, and tried to get Mom (Sarabi) to accept it, but probably due to my scent she rejected it. I spent a few hours warming baby, giving formula, etc. Finally I slipped the kitten in with its siblings, and Sarabi accepted him.


I named him Miracle, and the hardest thing after his first few hours was letting him go. I could easily have kept him!


I believe I almost lost another kitten from the same litter to worms. I think you try your best, and if they don't make it, it was their time. I have had some losses in the past few years, but don't regret for a minute the extra efforts made when it seemed it could help!
 

jessienkitty

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Originally Posted by gayef

Well, first of all, let me just say this: HOW RUDE of this person! She has absolutely no right whatsoever to say such things to you. While, yes, it is true that nature will take it's own course despite our best efforts sometimes, the operative phrase in that comment is DESPITE OUR BEST EFFORTS. That means that we do make efforts, we don't ignore a problem and watch it suffer and die! There have been many a kitten who didn't come into this world under the best of circumstances and who have been helped by a compassionate person such as yourself - and a number of those kittens are now happy and healthy. So, don't let this discourage you, please. The chances are that everything will go smoothly, but being prepared is always - let me repeat that for emphasis - ALWAYS a good idea.



No, IMO, it isn't wrong to try. However, there are instances where it is best to let nature do it's will - catastrophic physical defects would be one example. But again, many a kitten have come into this world under less than ideal circumstances and have gone on to grow up healthy because some caring person was there to assist.



Most kitten deliveries go without incident. So, take solice in that for now. Think positively and don't borrow trouble, for as someone very wise once said to me, trouble finds us well enough all on it's own.
i agree 100%. very well said
 
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michelle mayall

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i will do all i can i just hope im ther for the delivery missy has just slept today and hasnt eaten much she is very loving she sat on my chest for an hour this evening which was lovely the babies are moving around really well im just watching her every move
 

bluebells belly

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I know where you're coming from. I have done exactly the same thing and have got my kitten kit ready and waiting ( my husband thinks i've lost it!!!!) I think i have read to many stories of things that can go wrong. My main concern is my cat, i wish i hadn't let her get out now, i'm getting very paniky!! I purchased her with £250 left to me by my grandfather so she is very precious.
 

minxie

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I just think you are a good cat owner trying to do your best to ensure mum cat and the kittens are all safe and healthy. That person who made those comments to you is wrong for critisising you.

I am no expert, but having been through one cat pregnancy, its good education to know what to do in an emergency. However, I did find that mum cat knew best.

Fingers crossed all will go ok with your mum cat and her babies....if something arises however, you know the basics and more importantly, your vets number!

Good luck! When is mum cat due?
 

ms_joshica

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I agree with the woman that mom does know things that we can't possibly know about the baby, BUT that is a WILD mentality. When we decide to take these precious animals into our home they, to me, are no longer WILD, they are OUR children, our family. It is like her asking you to take and walk past a suffering person b/c their mothers didnt care for them. Some people really sicken me with that mentality. I am glad that you are prepared to do all you can for those babies! To me, that shows that you love them enough! If more people loved their animals as a part of their family, instead of having this "Wild" mentality, there would be a lot less people who leave these poor babies on the street for dead thinking that "nature" would help them find out how to care for themselves

I for one am proud that you have that attitude, and yes, cats have certain instinct, but we as the higher intelligence do to

I'm off my soap box now
 
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michelle mayall

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i have had missy for 5 weeks now
and when i took her to the vets 4 weeks ago they said soon. so im ive been thinking its going to be this week for the past couple of weeks missy had been visiting previously to us taking her in, i feel that once her owners new she was pregnant then they have thrown her out i advertised and knocked door to door but no one wanted to claim her
so we decided to keep her we have everything ready but its impossible to tell as to exactly when she is due

thank you all for your support without you im not sure what state id be in

i will do everything i can to see that missy has a smooth delivery
 
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