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- May 22, 2004
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Hi there! My name is Nicole and I am new to this forum. I am a SAHM to my beautiful dd Taylor, and have quite a few pets... We have a dog, two cats and six kittens. The six kittens were a litter that a feral cat had which neighbors called animal control on (which of course we couldn't let happen). We took them in at ten days old, bottle fed them for weeks, and seven months later still have our loving babies. We have grown so attached and can not give them away now, as originally planned. We do have a few problems though, which I would like to ask your advice with...
1. My one cat (Holly) does not like the kittens at all. Holly was the baby in the past. She hisses at them, attacks them, tried to scratch one of their eyes out along with Cinnamon's nose and throat, it is just non stop. We have had them separated since day one, as the babies have the run of our garage, and we flip flop them out so we can minimize problems. I would really like to integrate them, but don't know where to start, and the safest way to try it. Any advice or books out there that I can consult?
2. Our next problem is a major one. We had the two boys neutered on April 16, so we thought we were okay. Well, one of the kittens is pregnant (I am pretty sure of it). I honestly did not know they could get pregnant at six months of age, as I was told in the past to wait to neuter or spay until they were six months! I feel so irresponsible. Anyway we of course will let her have the litter, and plan on finding homes for them at eight weeks of age when they can be weaned from their momma. Here are my questions
a. Because she is pregnant by her brother, is there a risk for anything that I should be aware of?
b. Are there any good books out there that deal with pregnant/labor for cats?
c. What do I have to do for her, to make her comfortable during delivery and thereafter?
d. She is pretty round right now, and I am assuming that she is at least 40 days. Her nipples are starting to protrude and have a milky substance below them. How far does she have to go, round about?
e. Should I take her to the vet for a checkup, or will he be able to tell me the same things I already know?
f. Is she at risk giving birth so young?
As you can tell, this is really eating at me, because I had no clue and feel awful that this happened to my poor little Piglet. And then it is the explaining to my daughter how she got pregnant by her brother! Oh, that will be a fun coversation!
Thanks in advance for all your help and advice on these issues... I love my pets as if they are my children, and want to make sure all of them are okay. Thanks again!
Nicole "craftydoodle"
1. My one cat (Holly) does not like the kittens at all. Holly was the baby in the past. She hisses at them, attacks them, tried to scratch one of their eyes out along with Cinnamon's nose and throat, it is just non stop. We have had them separated since day one, as the babies have the run of our garage, and we flip flop them out so we can minimize problems. I would really like to integrate them, but don't know where to start, and the safest way to try it. Any advice or books out there that I can consult?
2. Our next problem is a major one. We had the two boys neutered on April 16, so we thought we were okay. Well, one of the kittens is pregnant (I am pretty sure of it). I honestly did not know they could get pregnant at six months of age, as I was told in the past to wait to neuter or spay until they were six months! I feel so irresponsible. Anyway we of course will let her have the litter, and plan on finding homes for them at eight weeks of age when they can be weaned from their momma. Here are my questions
a. Because she is pregnant by her brother, is there a risk for anything that I should be aware of?
b. Are there any good books out there that deal with pregnant/labor for cats?
c. What do I have to do for her, to make her comfortable during delivery and thereafter?
d. She is pretty round right now, and I am assuming that she is at least 40 days. Her nipples are starting to protrude and have a milky substance below them. How far does she have to go, round about?
e. Should I take her to the vet for a checkup, or will he be able to tell me the same things I already know?
f. Is she at risk giving birth so young?
As you can tell, this is really eating at me, because I had no clue and feel awful that this happened to my poor little Piglet. And then it is the explaining to my daughter how she got pregnant by her brother! Oh, that will be a fun coversation!
Thanks in advance for all your help and advice on these issues... I love my pets as if they are my children, and want to make sure all of them are okay. Thanks again!
Nicole "craftydoodle"