stray? kitten

pinkteapot

You know what? I was SO hoping for a pic.

Feral_Moon

GwylimT wrote: »

Three months old? Then she isn't old enough to be out for another nine, shes only just old enough to be away from mum. Hopefully the poor thing will find a nice home.

I agree three months is far too young to allow a kitten out unsupervised but I think waiting a year is a little over protective. My previous kittens all had supervised access in the garden from a very early age but weren't allowed out on their own until around six months (and neutered) and never allowed to stay out overnight, even in the middle of summer.

Feral_Moon

mellymoo74 wrote: »

She's lovely pink.
Neighbours have pointed out she seems to like me (dive bombs, plays with hair whilst purring then bites me and runs off usually)

Just taken them some dreamies round she already looks a thousand times better.

Only problem is the wife is wavering on allowing this pregnancy to go to term. (Husband isnt) she feels uncomfortable terminating it. She's way to small to easily have them.
Will go round again this evening see what they have decided.


Eta - when she stands still for 2 mins there will be a pic.

She's far too young/small to be having kittens even though it's likely she'd only have 2 or 3 but what if she got into trouble in the middle of the night trying to give birth? Her life could be in danger.

Would they be able to get her to an emergency vet in time, given their age? Could they even afford that? Much better to spay now and get it over and done with. It's an extremely safe procedure.

SensibleSarah

Definitely a spay is the best option for one so young & tiny. Carrying a litter to term could be hugely detrimental to both mother & babies. I've known situations where all have died during labour and another where the mum never recovered physically & suffered lots of health issues throughout her life. Only one kitten from that litter survived & was also very weak health wise into adulthood.

One of my cats went into season at 16 weeks and the vet didn't want to spay until she was 6 months (this was 12 years ago) despite me having a male kitten of the same age too who was also not neutered yet. I persuaded them to do it at 5 months thankfully. Now the rescue I foster for neuter as soon as the kittens weigh enough, usually about 10 weeks of age which seems so young - but the young kittens bounce back so quickly it's amazing.

Feral_Moon

Female cats can be spayed as young as 8 weeks but it takes an experienced vet to perform the procedure and is usually done only in extreme cases such as curbing a feral population that has got out of control. The kittens are trapped, spayed and released. No harm done but prevents thousands more unwanted kittens.

ETA: the reason some vets refuse to spay cats already pregnant or in season is because of the increased blood flow to the parts they need to cut, therefore increased risk of bleeding. Any competent vet worth his salt wouldn't hesitate, ethics aside, and would take every precaution necessary to ensure the cat was safe throughout the operation. If you need to spay a young cat or one which you suspect may already be pregnant then shop around and you'll find a competent vet to perform the operation.

GwylimT

Feral_Moon wrote: »

Female cats can be spayed as young as 8 weeks but it takes an experienced vet to perform the procedure and is usually done only in extreme cases such as curbing a feral population that has got out of control. The kittens are trapped, spayed and released. No harm done but prevents thousands more unwanted kittens.

ETA: the reason some vets refuse to spay cats already pregnant or in season is because of the increased blood flow to the parts they need to cut, therefore increased risk of bleeding. Any competent vet worth his salt wouldn't hesitate, ethics aside, and would take every precaution necessary to ensure the cat was safe throughout the operation. If you need to spay a young cat or one which you suspect may already be pregnant then shop around and you'll find a competent vet to perform the operation.

Most vets will neuter at eight weeks, virtually all pedigree cats are neutered from 8-10 weeks to ensure they are fully healed before going to their homes at 14 weeks.

donnac2558

GwylimT wrote: »

Most vets will neuter at eight weeks, virtually all pedigree cats are neutered from 8-10 weeks to ensure they are fully healed before going to their homes at 14 weeks.

Not true. I have Burmese and a friend has Persians. In the agreement when sold as kittens we agreed to spraying and neutering at 6 months of age. I have never heard of a pedigree kitten sold and ready to leave Mum at 12 weeks already neutered, they will have their injections though. Pedigrees do not leave to new homes until 12 weeks.

paddypaws101

donnac2558, you may not have heard of pedigree kittens being neutered and rehomed at 12/14 weeks of age but it is increasingly common these days.
mellymoo, I hope the vet can convince the owners that the spay is indeed in the little one's best interest as she is far, far too young to give birth

mellymoo74

She's been done
Didn't react well to being knocked out so they are keeping her tonight.
I have no car (bloody steering sensor went whilst I was on way to interview) have arranged a lift to collect her though.
Fingers crossed.

And yes we have had a lot of 'told you she shouldn't have gone Inshes too little'

I am tongue biting because she's just worried and it's sweet

Froglet

mellymoo74 wrote: »

She's been done
Didn't react well to being knocked out so they are keeping her tonight.
I have no car (bloody steering sensor went whilst I was on way to interview) have arranged a lift to collect her though.
Fingers crossed.

And yes we have had a lot of 'told you she shouldn't have gone Inshes too little'

I am tongue biting because she's just worried and it's sweet

So what would people rather happen? That she give birth to weak sickly kittens that may not even survive,and could even kill her, being so poorly herself.? Are there not more than enough cats and kittens in this world that have no home and struggle to survive on the streets ?


You have done a wonderful job,taking care of her,getting her to the vets and finding a good home. You should be very proud that one less cat is now suffering and can look forward to a better life.