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Spaying Cat Whilst Pregnant is it Advisable?

13 replies

ZaraW · 30/07/2014 18:19

Just asking for some help on behalf of a friend who is living overseas and there are no animal shelters to help.

There is an abandoned cat who is very friendly but sadly was dumped. My friend started feeding her as she was so neglected and hungry(the cat and now her kittens). She was going to get the cat spayed but the kittens are still dependent on her she hides them and only brings them out at night. The kittens are now around 12 weeks old an my friend was going to take the mother to the vets to get spayed and then try to get the kittens and mother adopted in the local community. On returning from a short break the mother is definitely pregnant again her belly is swollen quite noticeably. Is it advisable to get her spayed? Not sure how many weeks pregnant she is.

She would have taken the cat in herself but her own cat who was abandoned also is very nervous and on edge as she was always coming home with injuries and cuts she can't accept any other cats in the house as it has been tried on a previous occasion.

I've googled but getting mixed opinions. Any first hand experience would be appreciated.

TIA

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thecatneuterer · 30/07/2014 18:26

Absolutely. We spay/abort all the time. It's not nice, but it's much better than bringing yet more unwanted kittens into the world.

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ZaraW · 30/07/2014 18:31

thecatneuterer thank you, can you abort at a late stage? I don't think the cat is at a late stage but just checking is there a limit that the procedure can be done?

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thecatneuterer · 30/07/2014 18:33

We have no time limit. If we think the cat is likely to give birth in the next few days then we generally don't do it, unless it's really unavoidable (which it sometimes is). But generally we always consider that it's the lesser of two evils.

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ZaraW · 30/07/2014 18:40

Thank you I'll let my friend know and she can call the vet so she can bring her in for the procedure.

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villagecorner · 31/07/2014 11:04

I adopted two cats on Saturday, who were both spayed by the Cats Protection when they came in. We were told that the youngest, who they estimate to be 1 and 2 months, was pregnant on arrival and that, as it was in its early stages, it was dealt with when they spayed her. It's not nice to think about but she's so tiny and kitten-like that I can't imagine her being a mum herself. We think we adopted a mum and daughter pair and she's always looking to her mum for reassurance.

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villagecorner · 31/07/2014 11:06

Just to add - she seems fine! She's semi longhaired and has a patch where the fur hasn't grown back yet but she doesn't seem to have any ill effects from it. We were told she could be growly in new environments as she can be quiet nervous but she hasn't growled at us once. We're just letting her do things at her own pace and she's already nudging our hands for a fuss. She seems quite happy to me!

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ZaraW · 31/07/2014 15:43

villagecorner I didn't even know it was possible for a kitten to get pregnant so early! Good she is doing well. Congratulations on your new additions, always makes me happy to hear about stray cats finding loving homes.

I have one myself she turned up at my house 7 years ago and refused to leave.

Friend made appointment at the vet and now the fun starts she has to put her in the cage, should be fun! She will be away from her kittens but they are over 12 weeks old so they should be ok away from mum for a couple of nights.

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villagecorner · 31/07/2014 15:55

Our local Cats Protection spays/neuters kittens at around 14 weeks old to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Maybe your vet can neuter and spay the kittens too.

Our cat must've only been a year old when she was pregnant/spayed. They weren't strays either - apparently relinquished by a family who couldn't cope any longer. They're easy going, laid back cats who've been great since we got them - can't imagine anyone not wanting them!

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villagecorner · 31/07/2014 15:59

Cats can get pregnant at about 4 months old so be careful rehoming a brother and sister together if they're not neutered and spayed or at least make sure to warn the new owners.

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thecatneuterer · 31/07/2014 16:05

That's a good point actually. We neuter kittens at 12 weeks. It's definitely a case of the sooner the better - and by five months at the very, very latest.

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ZaraW · 03/08/2014 18:40

Good news the cat was caught and will be spayed tomorrow. Just hope her kittens don't miss her too much!

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thecatneuterer · 03/08/2014 18:43

That's great. I can't imagine what it must be like to live in a country where there are no animal charities. I couldn't cope. It's bad enough in a supposedly first-world, animal-loving country. Well done to your friend.

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ZaraW · 05/08/2014 16:17

Yes, I am delighted also. Hoping she can find someone to adopt her.

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