Nursing cat/spaying

Re: Nursing cat/spaying

Caro Laithwaite VN — Sun, 22 May 2011 23:42:15 GMT

When trapping ferrals if there is a mother with milk she still gets neutered and the kittens have to take their chance. As the baby is know just get mum done and if worried then feed the baby. As has been said time is so critical especially in hot countries they can pop out babies like a kangaroo .. (at foot, in pouch, inside mum)

Re: Nursing cat/spaying

Jo Moore — Sun, 22 May 2011 19:13:44 GMT

I have known cats get caught within a few days after giving birth so sooner rather than later needs spaying!

Re: Nursing cat/spaying

Dippy — Sun, 22 May 2011 17:15:41 GMT

Thnaks Elvira - I was pretty sure that theoretically she could get caught again within a couple of weeks even though she's still feeding although it's a bit different to most of the cats we see in practice here. I'm on the case now and sorting out trap etc!

Re: Nursing cat/spaying

Elvira — Sat, 21 May 2011 19:32:35 GMT

All cats are different. 'Normally' (if there is such a thing!) they call again from about 6 weeks after the birth but if they only have a one or two kittens they can call from about 2 weeks after. So yes, she could already be pregnant again, but hopefully not.

Re: Nursing cat/spaying

Dippy — Sat, 21 May 2011 18:35:17 GMT

I'm fine with the trapping and neutering info as that's what the charity do but it was just how soon she could physically become pregnant again I was more interested in. Thanks though.

Re: Nursing cat/spaying

Lesley Stinson — Sat, 21 May 2011 13:25:48 GMT

How old is the kitten? I would presume that if they are trying to feed the kitten then it is probably about 3-4 weeks old. At this age they should be able to catch the kitten even if it is feral. Trapping the mother and bringing her baby along as well so that when she is spayed they can be reunited.

We spey feral cats a lot and i have seen females with kittens of 4-5 weeks old who are pregnant again but only just.

There is no problem speying the mother while she is feeding as it doesn't interfer with the milk production as it does with dogs. We have neutered feral cats and kittens some as young as 8 weeks old as you only get the one chance to trap them.

the important thing when preforming early neutering is maintaning body heat and feeding as soon as they wake up to prevent hypoglycemia in such a young kitten.