cat question

[Tracy]

Hi! A couple of weeks ago I found a cat. I think someone dumped her so I am going to keep her.
Anyway, my question is, how can you tell if she is spayed or not? I am going to take her to the vet next week but how does the vet tell? She is pretty fat so I am a little worried she could be pregnant...
Thanks!
Tracy

[Mona]

Well you can feel the babies inside, and a vet can tell if she is pregnant. Could be she needs to be wormed or is malnutritioned. Is she eating right and using the litterbox regularly? A checkup is a very good idea as soon as possible.

Mona, Honeybun and Chloe

http://aolsvc.petplace.aol.com/Articles ... sp?artID=7

this link tells you many things about pregnancy in cats.

[paulette2]

I just want to say God Bless You for taking in this poor animal. How kind hearted you are. With winter coming this poor baby would be lost if not for caring souls like you. The vet will give her a complete check up and take care of any problems. I'm so happy for kitty and congratulations on your new family member. From experience I can tell you that strays usually make wonderful pets. They are so grateful for being rescued and once you've bonded you can look forward to many days of love and laughter! Best of luck to you.

[Tracy]

I took Cindy (the cat) to the vet today and found out she is not spayed and the vet thinks she might be pregnant! He is not 100% sure but he said we should know in about ten days because if she is pregnant she will start getting really fat then. Does anyone have any advice for me? I haven't ever had a pregnant cat before so I am not really sure what I need to be doing.
Thanks,
Tracy

[Traci]

Tracy, did your vet not recommend spaying her? Did he say she is in otherwise good health? No parasites? No nutirtional deficiencies? Was she tested for FELV/FIV?

Once parasties are ruled out (you need to get a fecal done), once tested negative for FELV/FIV, and once pronounced in excellent health, you truly should opt for spaying her immediately.

[Tracy]

She is otherwise in good health. I want to get her spayed ASAP but I can't have her spayed if she is already pregnant.


Tracy

[Traci]

Love Your Pets - Spay & Neuter

Before this goes any further, please read the link....cats can be safely spayed in early gestation, and allowing her to come to full term and deliver is a risk taken on your part. (link explains those risks). Not to mention what are you going to do if she delivers 7 kittens, or they develop serious disease and you lose them...or that you can't committ to their constant needs....or that you cannot find proper homes for them and ensure that THEY will also be spayed and neutered.

[Tracy]

The vet said he thought she was at least mid-term.
I am sorry she is pregnant but I only found her! If she had been my cat before I would have had her spayed as a kitten like I had done with my other three cats.

[MA]

Depending on the age of the cat, another litter can put her into serious health consequences. There is no shame in taking her in and getting her spayed right away. Vets do it all the time, and in the past I have taken pregant cats in and taken them to be spayed. Am I heartless? No, I am realistic. I have had to many instances where the cat has developed complications, kittens have died, and for the most part it is the safest thing for all concerned to have the cat spayed.

[Auntie Debbie]

I agree that she should be spayed immediately. The world is already saturated with unwanted animals. And not knowing the mama's history, her health could be at risk. You're doing a wonderful thing by taking her in. I just hope you aren't taking on more than you've bargained for with her.
I have some links on "Kittens", "Kittening" and "Fading Kittens" under the Feline section of my website (Debbie's Feline Health, located under Favorites on the menu of the left side of this board) that may offer some help to you if you do decide to let her deliver. Please read them thoroughly, including the sections of what could go wrong. Maybe some of those items will dissuade you from letting her deliver; maybe not. Also keep your vet's number handy and don't be afraid to call if something is going wrong.
Whatever you decide I hope things will work out well, and thanks so much for taking her in!