Cat People: I need advice regarding pregnant feral kitty!

[cedahlia]

I thought I'd consult my fellow kitty-loving DUers on this problem.

Mr. cedahlia and I are moving out of our apartment next week and into our new house, which is about 10 miles away. Problem is, I have a pregnant feral cat named Daisy on my hands (who actually isn't really feral anymore...I've tamed her to the point where she is quite people-friendly.) Thus far, Daisy has been a completely outdoor cat because we aren't allowed to have pets in the apartment. She, and several other ferals live around our area, but she took a special liking to me, and I have fed and given her water every day for months now. Mr. cedahlia also built her a wooden box to live in on the front porch.

She is quite pregnant at this point in time, and I'm wondering whether we should attempt to take her with us next week, given her condition, or if I should just leave her be. Moving is traumatic for any cat, but I fear this could be especially unnerving for her given that she is pregnant and has always been a completely outdoor cat. I also have a fear that she might escape from the new house and try to come back here (which cats are sometimes known to do) which would be very bad and we'd probably never see her again. Oh, and to further complicate things, I have my cat who's been living at my mother's house, who we will also be moving into our new home...so that adds another problem of possibly introducing those two to each other...ugh, what a mess, right?!

Another thing I need to consider is the possibility that Daisy may have the kittens even before we move...as I said, her belly is very big and she has been spending all her time the past few days just resting under a shady spot in our front yard. That would complicate the problem even more so, because then I'd be dealing with moving mom and kittens to a new place. I really don't know what to do. I just want to do what's best for her, without causing her or her babies any undue stress.

Any advice you guys have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! O8)

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Call a vet to be sure what to do.

[Soloflecks]

2. Shelter.

Or if you can't take her do you have a local rescue org or shelter. It would be awful to leave her at the apt complex. She's lucky to have someone caring like you to take up her cause.

[Mara Steele]

3. jukes...

Where are ya, man?

(That man knows feral felines like the back of his hand :D)

[jukes]

17. Mara Steele

sorry, bad night last night & i drifted off w/ one of my cats. posted & PMd orig poster to cover. tx for the prop!

[Mara Steele]

19. I'm glad that you drifted off w/your kitty...

And I'm very sorry to hear about the bad night, my friend. :(

:hug: :hug:

[Bronco69]

4. I would take her to a shelter.

When you move there's a chance that no one else in the apartment building will feed and protect her the way you do.

[DenverDem]

5. Since you have built a relationship with her

I feel that you could take her with you.

Before transporting her, set up a good environment for her at the new place including her sleeping box. Also set up a protected place for her to have the kittens in and show her the new environments with food and water availability.

Cats are very intelligent and are looking for affection and protection from compassionate human companions. I'm confident she will get the idea that you want to help her by the move, if the new environment is more secure and comfortable than the curren feral arrangement.

She should be tested for health problems and vaccinated before exposing your indoor cat to her. If your indoor cat is totally indoor, which is the safest way to be, then it shouldn't be a problem.

Good luck. You are an angel to care about and for this kitty and her coming brood.

(On edit in response to other posts: Why risk the death sentence of a "shelter" when you can take care of her yourself?)

[Jo March]

7. Absolutely no shelters

if at all possible. I so agree.

A good vet should be able to point you to resources that avoid taking the cat to the shelter.

I used to have 8 cats - all strays or "dumps" and I can't stand the thought of the little pregnant kitty all by herself without you to take care of her. :(

[cedahlia]

10. "can't stand the thought..."

I really can't either! :) I really do want to take her with us so I can care for her and her babies. I just want to do the best thing for her, and I don't want to make a mistake that will really traumatize her. I think I will call my vet and see what she has to say about the whole thing.

[Shakespeare]

12. You should send a PM to SoCalDem - she has LOTS of experience w/ferals

And I know she'd give you great advice.

[cedahlia]

13. Thanks for the heads up! n/t

n/t

[SoCalDem]

15. Since you are moving...take her too

She will probably do fine.. Expect 4 or 5 kittens.. If she has had them before, she will be ok.. Has she had kittens before when you "knew her"??


The box prepared for her, may not be where she chooses to have them.. If you make sure she is fed and has water , she will stay close by.. Make sure she can get away from any dogs..(behind a gated fence).. The other cats will probably not mess with her or her kittens.
.
You can intervene and make sure the kittens are tame (so you can take them to petSmart for adoption).. Get her fixed A S A P or you will get back on the kitten merry-go-round..

The best thing would be to secure her in a separate room (maybe the laundry room.. she will use a litter box..and if the kittens are there too, she won't leave.. She may "move" them if they are picked up too much though..(unless she really trusts you)..

If you keep her inside, she will be healthier and safer.. She might not have any desire to return to the "old place" is she has everything she needs with you :)


Kittens are portable, (if you can find them all).. You might get a large dog crate (like we did) to secure them in while they get used to their surroundings..

Things will work out.. don't worry.. Are yoou in So Cal?? You could use our crate if you are ..:)

[cedahlia]

21. Thanks SoCalDem!

I think she did actually have a litter before, because when she first started hanging around she was sort of plump around her belly. She disappeared for a while, and when I saw her again she was no longer plump around the belly...I never did find any kittens, but this is a pretty rural area, so there's many places she could have hidden them.

I have definitely decided to take her with us, and I will keep her safely in a closed off room, so she'll feel comfortable and safe with her babies. I plan to get her to the vet for a full check-up and eventually for spaying, when the time is right. We're moving to a rural area with lots of wildlife, so for safety reasons I plan on making her and any other kitties we have be indoor only cats.

Here's hoping for the best! :)

[MuseRider]

9. I would agree with you.

Moving will be traumatic but moving her to a shelter wouldn't be any less so and the chances for her and her brood are not good. I wouldn't risk leaving her either. I would rather risk her moving to a place with food, water and her special shelter. She will know where to eat and drink if nothing else and she knows you.

[Jo March]

6. I'd call the vet

Moma Daisy would not like the move, I'm sure, nor the new kitty. Maybe your local vet has some type of program for cats like Daisy. She needs to be fixed so that she won't have anymore babies, that's for sure.

I'm in a situation with rabbits. A rabbit had her babies in my backyard. There are 5 baby rabbits and they don't even have their eyes open. I'm trying to figure out how to keep them all safe out there without interfering or making things worse.

Keep us posted as to what happens with Daisy.

[Claire Beth]

8. yes......

take her with you. She has become attached to you and it seems you have to her also. You can find good homes for the kittens and have her fixed so she won't be having additional litters. She and your other cat will eventually do okay. It takes a few days but I've had a multiple cat home and it all works out. I think it would be MORE stressful on her to leave her behind since she has obviously become attached to you all. If things do not work out you can always find a good home for her as well.

[cedahlia]

11. introducing cats

I think this will be okay if I keep them separated in different rooms for a while. But do you think two females will do okay together? I've heard that that situation is not ideal, but in this case, I have no choice as they are both girls.

I don't think the kittens would be a problem as I know of a couple people who would probably like one (myself included...but we'll have to see about that!)

[Claire Beth]

14. we had two females....

at one time and they did fine after a few days. I have a good friend who has 5 cats (males and females) and she adopted them at all different ages. It took a little time for them to adjust (maybe a week or so) but they do just fine now.

[jukes]

18. may be a bit

of a hissy fit if the non-mom shows to much interest, but she'll (non-mom) back off. males, esp non-fixt, are a much bigger prob. sires, in the wild, will someXs cannibalize kits to bring mom back into heat, so mom will be very aggressive w/ any male cat near her litter.

[jukes]

16. cedahlia

there are some serious problems to consider here, but i think your problem is resolvable.



you shd be able to discern if she's thrown her litter, her girth will decrease immediately, + you can *gently* fondle her tummy (since your her friend, she'll allow this as pseudo-nursing, shd flop on her side.

if her belly feels engorged, & if she rolls, gently nips or washes your hand, she's probably still preggie.

if you think she'll let you, pick her up, 1 hand under chest (to avoid pressing kittens, other supporting her bottom. if not, see next para.

gently guide her toward a carrier w/ a very sweet treat deep inside (sardines, deli meat like shaved chicken, etc.) she'll probably enter by herself, make sure the bait is way to the back so she has to enter fully. since your SO provided a feeding station/shelter box, this shdn't be a problem. slowly close the door, even if her tail protrudes. you can try to guide her tail inside 1st; talk softly in a sweet voice when yo do. if she startles press the door as tight as you can & *DO NOT* flinch or hesitate, the slightest opening 7 she'll get out; you won't see her for days. you will not injure her tail this way. mention it because i've had to do this often, tails just don't follow into the carrier easily. once you've got the door tight, ease her tail inside & clasp the door. wd help if you have an assistant (SO) she's familiar w/ to hold the carrier still in case she thrashes. if not, butt rear of carrier up against firm object.

during entire operation be as calm & cheerful as possible. cats feel neg vibes like they see in the dark, & she'll be even more alert due to the kitties in her womb, very protective.

i've done this dozens of times, if you're calm & resolute, it will go smoothly.

the trauma of capture may cause delivery. *not* a problem, if you're not moving that day, provide a box w/ toweling in a closet where she feels protected but can go in/out to other rooms. she shd nest w/ her kittens there, but may move them under a bed or something of her own choosing.

you're leaving soon, so hang the lease, there's nothing they can do in under 30 days, and she won't damage anything.

if it's her 1st pregnancy, she *may*, but probably wn't abandon the kits. keep them as warm as possible (box w/toweling & latex gloves/balloons/ condoms filled w/ hot water under the toweling & get them to the vet asap. i've raised 1 abandoned minutes after birth. it's doable, but big time investment involved. extremely rewarding though.

on moving day, kittens & mom should be secured in carrier and set in front seat w/ you or SO to lessen fear of vehicle. catnip or Felliway spray (synth facial pheromones) will help calm mom. vet can also supply trank, or 1/2 a 5 mg valium can be admin'd to mom in food. this *will not* hurt mom or kittens, they can tolerate a much higher dose than we can.


as long as you have kittens, she feels secure, and you keep things tightly latched, she won't try to escape because she won't leave kittens behind. if she doesn't throw the litter, or abandons it, you'll have to be super cautious. they can fit through any opening their heads will go through. *keep* all windows closed till she's settled; they'll kick a screen out easily, if they're determined.


if she has already delivered, you've got a hard choice. the nest will be hidden. if you can find it, take the kittens home & use above, perhaps w/1 kitten as bait, to trap her. if you can't find it, you'll have to let nature take it's course. alert a neighbor you trust to take over. 1ce the kittens are 3-4 weex old, she'll bring them out, neighbor can capture & you can return if possible.

but you may have to just let it go. harsh, but if you can't find th nest, you'll have to let her be wild.

hav-a-heart brand traps are pretty effective if you don't think you can be calm enough to get her in a carrier. feed outside trap (treated w'nip or felliway, covered w/ an unwashed t-shirt that smell like you0 for 1-s days, then food just inside trap, but not on paddle, then place the bait on the paddle. cat size cost about &60, but you can freq borrow from vet or animal control agency. if used before, was thoroughly to remove "fear" smell. familiarize yourself w/ the simple mechanism & lube the mechanical parts w/ light cooking oil, like "pam" so it closes smoothly when tript.


best of luck to you. PM me if you have questions, or unusu circumstances develop.

[cedahlia]

20. thanks so much for your help!

That sounds like great advice, and it is greatly appreciated by me and Daisy! O8)

[jukes]

22. kick