Stray cat & 4 kittens - advice please :)

rising_from_the_ashes

tankgirl1 wrote: »

Not at 3.5 weeks though! Did the vets ask the owner how old the kittens were? Did she tell the truth? I have never ever known a vet or VN who would advocate spaying a queen with such young kittens

Personally I would wait until at least 8 weeks - as I said - even if she is pregnant again, it should still be a straightforward op at that stage.

I've no idea what she / the vet discussed about it but I was horrified! (needless to say, it's not the vet practice I use)!

charlie-chan

The OP hasn't had the cat done yet, they are just checking out the options.

pinkcandyflossprincess

definately get yourself over to the purrs forum as suggested:o

well done for caring for these cats.
If it was me i would firstly get mom into the house and then the kittens and give them a bathroom or spare room/kitchen corner. keeping mom in your home will ensure she doesnt get pregnant again till the time comes for her to be neutered.
the fact that shes more friendly is good news but she does need a trip to vets asap to be checked over for dieseases etc and just to see if shes generally ok.
Im sure if someone on purrs is local to you they will pop round or just be there for any advice you need.
be warned though on purrs..PICTURES are needed of your little furrballs:p

peachyprice

tankgirl1 wrote: »

Not at 3.5 weeks though! .

Sorry, thought you meant in general

podperson

My mum had a very similar situation (though the mum 'adopted' them while she was still pregnant and had the kittens in her porch so at least she knew how old they were). The vets she spoke to advised getting her done when the kittens were around 8 weeks old, also if you try local centres they will often do them cheap or even free for you if you let them know that the cat is a stray (would agree to that but not to taking the cats or kittens). Also might want to think about whether she would be ok with being inside for a few days after the op - as most vets would recommend this.

crayola

4nnabella wrote: »

As far as I know, you can't neuter a nursing queen

This is incorrect; ours was taken in as a rescue cat with her four newly-born kittens and was spayed at the same time. She is still nursing the kitten we've adopted along with her.

ETA: really surprised by all the comments saying you can't spay a lactating cat! I'd be interested to know why there is this belief - our kitty is having no problem with milk supply (her remaining little one is still merrily suckling into his twelfth week) so I doubt it can be to do with that!

tankgirl1

crayola wrote: »

This is incorrect; ours was taken in as a rescue cat with her four newly-born kittens and was spayed at the same time. She is still nursing the kitten we've adopted along with her.

ETA: really surprised by all the comments saying you can't spay a lactating cat! I'd be interested to know why there is this belief - our kitty is having no problem with milk supply (her remaining little one is still merrily suckling into his twelfth week) so I doubt it can be to do with that!

It's because the milk will dry up after ovary removal. It is the ovaries which produce the hormones that stimulate milk production - spaying removes the ovaries, therefore removes the hormones = no milk!

I am bamboozled as to how your kitty is still lactating after spaying - I'm not disbelieving you - I'm genuinley confused!?

How old were the kittens exactly when she was spayed?

tankgirl1

Just to add - it is not uncommon for kittens to suckle way after the milk has dried up - I have known them do for up to a year afterwards! It's a comfort thing.
Just because your 12wk old kitten is still suckling, doesn't mean he is actually getting any milk from it

peachyprice

Yes, I can confirm this ^^^

My cat let her kittens suckle for 3-4 months, even though she was spayed when they were 8 weeks, she and the kittens seemed to enjoy it, they eventually grew out of it.