Mama cat + son or daughter?

[Mama Zoe]

Hi- I am wondering if anyone has advice about living in a multiple cat house. I am currently fostering a mama cat and her 9 week old kitten (a little boy). I was planning on adopting this mama and her other kitten (a little girl) who is currently with another foster mom getting over ringworm. Of course what is happening while I wait for my little girl kitten to get better is that I'm falling in love with the little boy. In my past cat experience, when I've had 2 cats they were sisters. When I've had boy cats they were "only child" boys. Right now mama and son are great together (a bit of rough-housing goes on but gently). In the long run, how do mama and sons get along? Is there any difference in having a mom and boy versus a mom and girl in the family? What about if I can't bear the loss of any of them and keep all 3?
Thanks for any advice on these family dynamics!
Eileen

[E's]

IMO if your household can adjust to 3 indoor-only cats, then go for it and see how things work out. But with two important provisions:

1. Reunite the family ASAP before the female kitten becomes an outsider to mama and the sibling. Cats are not like humans in this regard: once weaning occurs, whether natural or forced, the dynamic changes. Better to continue the ringworm treatment yourself than to wait and find the mama won't accept the female kitten back in her 'nest.' (BTW: in any event, you are going to have to be alert to the possibility that the ringworm infection is already present in the two cats you have.).

2. Spaying and neutering MUST be done as soon as feasible after weaning occurs, whether you keep 2 cats or all 3. Traci can better advise you on the timing for these procedures.

The above is as I say, just my opinion. Good luck to you and the kitties, either way.

[Traci]

Have you had momma and baby examined by your own vet? If not, I'd advise to do so immediately.

Just curious, is the third kitten spoken for, or have a home ready for her? (your initial post said three kittens)

There wouldn't be a problem adopting them all, as a matter of fact, it is oftentimes beneficial for moma and babies to remain together for life, just as it is for siblings to remain together.

I would adivse that if not already done, that mom is spayed immediately, providing she is in excellent health and the kittens are totally weaned (not depending on her for milk). Depending on your vet's personal preference will depend on when the kittens should be altered. For females, this should ideally be before their first heat cycle. Your vet may prefer spaying at or around 3 months of age, or wait until 6 months of age, please discuss that with him. For males, the same, 3-6 months of age, or sooner if the male starts spraying in the house or attempting to "mate" with an unspayed female.

I do agree that all the cats are together as soon as possible, to prevent seperation anxiety and to prevent problems with re-introductions, etc.

Of course, please also get them ALL tested for FELV/FIV, and vaccinated accordingly. (do NOT vaccinate for FIV nor FIP, the vaccines are too controversial depending on the environment and risk factors).

[MJ]

I'm not sure about the mom and son dynamic, I haven't done it before... But boys can do quite well when they're not only children. My two boys are entirely unrelated to each other, and they're good brothers. ^^

I usually lean towards six months on fixing cats... I've rarely seen any *beep* behavior before that. I could maybe go a little sooner if someone blossomed early though. :P

[Mama Zoe]

Thanks for the advice! I am glad to hear that siblings of either gender can get along.

I have the mom and the littlest boy kitten now because they were the first to be "clear" of the ringworm. I took them back to the original vet that the foundation usually uses last weekend. Although he said he could not find any ringworm, I am continuing to use the malaseb shampoo on them just in case. The foster mom from the foundation didn't think the other two kits would pass the test of light or the culture, so she still has them. The foundation is going to cover the spaying and neutering and the first series of vaccinations. Once I officially "adopt" the cats then I will continue their treatment at a vet of my choice.

I have sent an email to the foster mom of the other two kittens to ask for an update on their condition and to get a timeline of when the foundation usually spays etc. (The third kitten is not adopted yet b/c of the ringworm but is listed as "pending.")

Thanks again for your help. I am so glad I found this forum!
Eileen (with Mama Zoe and Rocko)

[Tina B and crew]

I'm guessing it all depends on the cats and their personalities. I've seen cases were it works out just fine with male cats and siblings/parents. In my case the mother of the son turned on him when we moved and they were never close again. Tolerated each other but never were close. I attribute it to the move however and don't think it would have happened outside of that stressful situation. I say give it a shot....they should be just fine

[Traci]

I have the mom and the littlest boy kitten now because they were the first to be "clear" of the ringworm. I took them back to the original vet that the foundation usually uses last weekend. Although he said he could not find any ringworm, I am continuing to use the malaseb shampoo on them just in case. The foster mom from the foundation didn't think the other two kits would pass the test of light or the culture, so she still has them. The foundation is going to cover the spaying and neutering and the first series of vaccinations. Once I officially "adopt" the cats then I will continue their treatment at a vet of my choice.

Well, I hate repeating myself, but the first vet only diagnosed them by "sight", so I sure wouldn't trust that (nor him for that matter), as the only way to determine negative ringworm infection is via culture. At least two subsequent cultures should be done, because this is the only way to determine resolution, and prohibit the infection from remaining, spreading, exacerbating. He couldn't "see" ringworm on Zoe and Rocko, is he going to "diagnose" this way with the other kitten? This isn't directed at you, it's about the vet, and the foster mom who is um, pardon me, waiting for the vet to tell her he doesn't "see" ringworm. Zoe and Rocko could still indeed be infected.

While I can understand IF you may be getting reduced costs for alters and vaccinations, the vet's approach at diagnosing ringworm has me worried. I'd have to wonder at his experience, or lack of proper skills when it comes to kittens and their followup care. It's for this reason, amoung others, that I always recommend your own vet for these procedures. Discounted or spay/neuter clinics often have sub-standard procedures and no aftercare/followup options should problems occur, you'd have no recourse. If this is a rescue organization, ask about getting a certificate to use with your OWN vet toward spaying/neutering, exam etc.

[Mama Zoe]

I know, I totally hear you on this. I am concerned that Zoe and Rocko could still have it, too. I think mentioned that after the first visit I was not impressed with this vet. It is not a low cost center, there seemed to be lots of happy returning customers in the waiting room, and I think the fact that he is working with this rescue organization is admirable...but I did feel that these cats didn't get the same treatment they might have gotten had I been a "regular" paying customer.

Before I took the two cats back to this vet, I called a neighborhood VCA hospital with a great reputation. It was going to cost $55 per cat for a check up and an addtional $52 for each culture. I just couldn't pay over $400 for cats that I wasn't sure I was even adopting. So I went back to their vet.

When he said he couldn't find any ringworm I was really happy because that was what I wanted to hear. I wanted to bring the cats home. I was having a hard time being patient!

Part of the reason I was willing to take his word for it was not only that I really wanted them, but that I wanted to help what was becoming a difficult situation for them at the foster mom's house. All four cats were quarantined in her small bathroom. I'm sure they were all, cats and human alike, quite miserable. I realize that I was taking a risk bringing home Zoe and Rocko.

I have been shampooing them in the malaseb and vacuuming and washing daily in the hopes that I can keep them from getting reinfected, or if they are still infected, that I can get rid of it. Is this just wishful thinking on my part??

I will ask about getting an authorization or certificate to take them in to my own vet. That would be great.

Thanks,
Eileen

[Traci]

The problem with ringworm is that it can go on and on and on forever. And the only way to determine if it has resolved is a negative culture. May I suggest asking your own vet about just one culture from the cat/kitten who seemed to have the worst of it? That might at least give you some indication if the specific treatment is working. Remember, you still have yourself and your children to worry about, as well as lingering infection for the mom and babies.

Another thing to keep in mind is that every time you take them back to the current vet, if still infected, that puts the vet's premises/clinic/patients at risk too.

I can understand the situation, and I can't blame you, getting the cats out of a crowded environment like that will certainly help. The less stress they have, the more likely they will have a better chance of the ringworm eradicating sooner.

[Mama Zoe]

That is a good idea. I'll call tomorrow and make an appointment to have a culture done on one of them. Is it correct that it takes a week or so to get the results? Is there something I should be doing besides the shampoo in the mean time? You are right, I can't tell you how bummed I'll be if my kids end up getting ringworm after all this! (bummed is putting it MILDLY!)

I still haven't heard back about the other kittens. I'm very curious to hear how they are doing....

Thanks,
-eileen