Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: JackSpratt on March 08, 2010, 00:03:01 AM
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Talked to a lady today who has an unspayed female ( :tired:) I'm helping look for a home for. I asked if she'd be prepared to get the cat spayed before it came to me, and she told me she couldn't because the cat still has a kitten feeding from her. Apparently the kitten is three months old but refuses any attempts at weaning. Anyone got any experience of weaning stubborn kittens?
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Maybe you could try warmed raw meat? I am no kitten expert but some of the tiny tots on YouTube are seriously enthusiastic about their raw diet.
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I don't have the cat - it's got to be something a "bog standard" cat owner (I use the word owner not carer, because that's how some people see a cat) would be prepared to do.
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Time for the vet, then. Something is wrong there! :doh:
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Time for the vet, then. Something is wrong there! :doh:
I can suggest it, but can't guarantee she'll listen. The cat is being listed on our local Freecycle for a new home.... :tired:
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Hi
Is the kitten having any food at all - if not then that is not right and a vet visit as Julie says.
My girlie (who came to me 6 months old and pregnant) was an over-indulgent mum to her 3 kittens. Although the kittens were eating fine, she kept on calling them over to feed from her. At 7 weeks the vet suggested we spay her which we did and at the 12 week stage (when they kittens went to their new homes) she was still doing it. Of course the kittens ate fine in their new homes.
So could be an over-indulgent mum - and again a visit to the vet probably needed.
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Firstly why is the mumcat being rehomed and not the kitten.
I have dealt with this sort of thing before and afraid you have to be cruel to be kind to get kitten weaned,but first you need to know kitten is healthy.
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The lady said the mum cat can't be spayed because she's producing too much milk - is this a viable reason for not spaying her?
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Its not fair to spay a heavily lactating queen, but neither is it fair to allow this kitten to continue feeding from mum.
I asked earlier why is this owner keeping kitten and rehoming mum ? I can see a plea on here in the future to rehome kitten after she has matured and produced her own litter. I understand the need to help an animal but I also understand that BSB take unsuspecting well meaning people for a ride.
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:hug: you think I should leave the lady to her own devices? Sorry, the kitten is being kept back because it's been coughing. The lady says she wants the cough to clear up before it goes to a new home. (He's a tom kitten, by the way.)
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Would she hand mother and kitten over together ?
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Have PM'd you a little more info, Teresa. Thank you for your help - I class it as invaluable. :hug:
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Hi
My girl was not heavily lactating - hence why the vets would do the spay in an attempt to stop the over-indulgence. From a neutering campaign I did, I know that most vets say it is not good to spay a heavily lactating queen and would wait til the milk dries up.
Agree with all what Teresa has said - something does not seem quite right here.
Hope you can sort it out :hug:
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I am so out of depth with this it's unreal to be honest; as I have no experience whatsoever of nursing mums I can't really offer any real help.
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One thing you can be certain of when dealing with 'the public' is that you never get to the bottom of anything. :innocent: It all sounds like a pack of lies to me. :tired:
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I assume that usually - after I got a lift to pick up a "fluffy grey cat" that was on Freecycle and came out with a stunning specimen now known as Noni Baroni....
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Esther was still lactating when she was spayed. But at three months the kitten really ought not to be suckling (though Smidgen was quite shameless about accepting favours from Esther when he arrived and found her offering milk still!!). A few days apart would sort out the lactation as without demand she will not continue producing as her hormones will take over and dry her off. If there is an underlying health issue then medication will dry her off also.
If you take the cat away, then the kitten can not access her and the problem will be resolved. But then you are stuck with the neutering costs unless by prior arrangement with the owner.
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Spaying voucher has kindly been offered. The issue is that I have nowhere to keep this girl separate; am waiting to hear back from a friend to see if she'll care for this little girl - but it seems that there are other issues to be concerned with if some of the advice I've been given is correct. I asked the lady if she could get this girl spayed and she said no because of her lactating - I don't think she's prepared to put up with the disruption of both cats in her house separated.
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I asked the lady if she could get this girl spayed and she said no because of her lactating - I don't think she's prepared to put up with the disruption of both cats in her house separated.
When my girlie's kittens were weaning, we were on kitten milk and then a mush of coley mixed with kitten milk (with the milk reducing over time). Don't think she is going to be successful on weaning the kitten if she does not separate. Seems to have an excuse for every suggestion you make.
So if you find somewhere for the mum to go, what is she going to do about the kitten eating (and also the cough) ? I would be getting a vet to look at them both, which could be under the guise of a pre-spey check. A vet will be able to say whether she is lactating too heavily for the spey.
Think you may have someone here who is perhaps being economical with the truth.
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Edd, I think you're probably right. How would you deal with the situation? (That might sound confrontational - sorry. I'm just very worried about the poor mother cat.....and also the kitten a little, now I think about it.)
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Don't know if this helps. I am presuming she wants you to take the mum and leave the boy kitten with her. Now something has to change (from what she has told you)for that to happen.
It is very difficult but I would be telling her as a rescue, you have to spey the female before rehoming. So if you find someone to take the mum cat in - then you could suggest to the lady that both the kitten and mum are checked at the vets under the guise of the pre-spey check. And him being checked out is best for her when mum cat leaves. Would your rescue be prepared to pay for that consult?
I am afraid that I would not trust her to go under her own steam (even if the rescue was paying) and would have a rescue person take them.
If she is agreeable to this, she could accompany the rescue person to the vet - she might listen to a vet or at least tell the vet the whole story of what is going on. That may get things moving forward.
Also if the mum came into care and she kept the boy kitten, I would be contacting her in a couple of months to get the boy kitten neutered.
Unfortunately some people take rescues for a ride and no matter what help you offer, there is always a reason for not doing it - but I can see you are concerned about these cats.
PS
Also you could play the card "Need to sort something out as in a couple of months the kitten will be developing and there is a danger of in-breeding and deformed kittens if mum gets pregnant by her son."
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I'm not an official rescue, Edd - I think I come under the heading "sucker." ;) I think this might be sorted, hopefully - (for both the kitten and mum cat.) will let you know as soon as I do.
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Sorry, misunderstood thought you were part of a rescue :hug:.
Hope all gets sorted - let us know, won't you.
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If you have a voucher for the spey - some nice vets will do a pre-check on a lactating queen for nothing - if they are going to do the spey. Might be worth checking that if you are going to arrange the spey. :)
Edited to add P.S.
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That's OK, Edd. :hug: And will do. :)
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I'm pleased to say that someone with a lot more experience stepped in from the site, and this little girl and her boy (complete with a racking cough, poor lad) are on the way to the quarantine pen at Paws Inn. :)
Thank you, Teresa. I can't express how pleased I am that these two will be cared for by you and found safe, loving homes. They're utter stunners too. :Luv:
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That is fantastic news - well done both of you. ;D
:yayyy: :yayyy: :yayyy: :yayyy: :yayyy:
So glad a rescue was able to help you and you managed to get the boy as well. From what I have read on this site the poor babies could not be going to a better place.
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Very pleased. I had a potential home for the Mum cat, but after PMs between Teresa and myself and under Teresas (very sound) advice I asked the lady to let me take both.
The little boy is soooo small, and a little bit smelly it has to be said. Mum Cat is a stunning black girl......oh, if only I had more money and a bigger house!
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Poor little mite - well both mum and baby boy are in expert hands now. :)
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Only just sat down after settling Pepsi and son in, both decided to toilet in car so we stopped on route to clean them up.
Been to vet, Chico (kitten) has pneumonia and may have a bit of lung damage but hes had antibiotics and just dived into a bowl of whiskas kitten food and LAPPED and lapped, hopefully he will be alright now he is receiving all he needs but I dread to think of the outcome had JS not got him out of there.
Pepsi the mum cat, well what a little Flusey, am afraid vet has confirmed she is pregnant maybe as much as 6weeks.
Both are in an isolation Pen together until they are more relaxed then I`m afraid we will have no choice but to seperate them due to Pepsi`s condition.
Modified to add that vet also weighed Chico ,hes just under 900grams.
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So glad they are with you T. I'm sure they will get the best care. You have saved the day again :hug: :hug: xx
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Ergh, toileting in the cat carrier. Suppose they didn't know they were going on a car journey, though.
Glad Chico is already lapping. It does annoy me that this lady said he wouldn't stop feeding off Pepsi; makes me wonder what option he was given.
And poor Pepsi, more babies. Although she seems a good mum, bless her heart.
If Chico's already lapping it's less of a worry to separate them - and after his illness has cleared up he might get on with another young cat.
Thank you SO much, Teresa. :hug:
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Glad to hear they're in good care and hope that little Chico is soon well :)
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I'm glad they are in your safe hands T and pleased the little boy is lapping away immediately, makes you wonder if they ever actually bothered offering him food! Such a shame about the Mum though, poor girl but at least her and her babies will get the best of care with you.
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Fantastic news! :wooooo:
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Well done all of you and Teresa you were out in the dar rescuing cats again with a cold!
My goodness you are norty but wonderful :hug: :hug:
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I am glad there is a happy ending to this, lets hope going through another pregnancy so soon isn't too hard on Pepsi.
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Both happy and eating well this morning; we put 2 dishes of wet in Pen one kitten and one adult whiskas and suprisingly Chico goes to kitten and Pepsi to adult one, how clever is that, mum is also enjoying Royal Canin kitten food Chico just sniffs that at present but its early days. Both have very smelly loose motions and terrible wind so we are going to give them some prokolin too. Chico`s chest is terribly noisy, I know JS could hear it over the sound of car engine in a quiet room its unbelievable.
Gill I merely sat in the car , JS did the rescuing.
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Hope Pepsi and Chico will be ok now they're with you, Teresa. :hug: Poor mom, tho, more babies and so soon :(
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oh bless you T and JS, wonderful news, more kittens is a bit sad but on the other hand more kittens for Paws Inn and for me to see when I go up and visit for the day xxx
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What a surprise, the little man will eat....sheer laziness not helping him to stop feeding from Pepsi. Yep, Chico has a bone rattling cough, hope he's improved soon, and that Pepsis' pregnancy is complication free - poor girl.
In a bit of a rush today, but wanted to check on these two and see how they were getting on. And Teresa, I didn't do the rescuing; I just went in to get the cats. You and Rob are doing all the hard work, and I appreciate it a great deal - especially when I saw these two gorgeous bundles. ;)
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How're these two doing, Teresa? (Let me know when your typing finger's less tired. ;)) :hug:
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Just read through this saga - wanted to say well done, guys. Mama and baby are safe, getting needed care... hopefully the little lad's pneumonia will clear up soon. :Luv:
The Purrs A Team strikes again!
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Just caught up on this -
Well done JS, yes you WILL take some credit for this :evillaugh:
.....and T, wonderful as always
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:P you can't make me....
Am looking forward to pictures when Mum Cat and Little Boy are more settled. :Luv: (And Teresa's up to it, obviously. :))
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Pepsi and Chico are doing well,both eating well and now doing solid poops. Pleased to report that Chico`s breathing isnt as noisy as it was but it will take time for infection to clear completely.
Both absolutely adorable and very loving; Claire not here this week so will attempt to get pics myself later today trouble is I usually miss the heads off :rofl:
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Not brilliant be pics as promised.
Have decided to leave Chico in with his mum for a couple more days.
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They're gorgeous :Luv2: The expression on Chico's face in that top picture so reminds me of Korky :Luv: Glad his breathing is improving but poor Pepsi being pregnant again.
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Oh they are just beautiful :Luv2: :Luv2: :Luv2: but Chico is so SMALL!!!! Is he really 3 months old? Glad he's getting better but poor Pepsi, pregnant again........... >:(
Well done to Teresa and Jackspratt for rescuing these little sweethearts! :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Yes hes 3 months old and size of 7-8 week old.
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Yeay, pictures! Thanks Teresa. :) So pleased there's been an improvement in the Little Guy and hope Pepsi is feeling settled.
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Lovely pics! Bless them both- bet they're so glad to be with you. When are the next lot of kittens due?
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:Luv: :Luv: ;D gorgeous black kitties
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They are lovely, never have too many photos of Black cats, I love them, ermm thinking about it I dont have a black cat ............ :Luv2:
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Oh how lovely lovely lovely .... both Chico and Pepsi :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: but swooning over the little fella :Luv2:
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Oh how lovely lovely lovely .... both Chico and Pepsi :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: but swooning over the little fella :Luv2:
They are lovely, never have too many photos of Black cats, I love them, ermm thinking about it I dont have a black cat ............ :Luv2:
Got to be seen to be fair here, Chico would be a wonderful playmate for Ripley but equally he could camouflage himself very well at Rosellas wonderful home, so ladies start fighting for him :evillaugh:
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I'd love to take Mum Cat on..... :shy: She's quite obviously been allowed to breed indiscriminately for the six years she's been unspayed, poor little madam. (Probably not practical; dementia cat and lack of finances are a potential issue - doesn't stop me pondering how I could juggle finances. ;))
But the Little Guy does remind me of Jack a bit with his features so whoever is successful in the battle for Chico better keep regular pictures coming.... :Luv:
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Oh how lovely lovely lovely .... both Chico and Pepsi :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: but swooning over the little fella :Luv2:
They are lovely, never have too many photos of Black cats, I love them, ermm thinking about it I dont have a black cat ............ :Luv2:
Got to be seen to be fair here, Chico would be a wonderful playmate for Ripley but equally he could camouflage himself very well at Rosellas wonderful home, so ladies start fighting for him :evillaugh:
I think Ripley would have a right mood on if he wasnt the baby of the family, but Chico .... oh I dont know, must have another kitten ! :shocked: