pregnant stray cat (HELP!)

[liontamer]

We just took in a cat who has been on the streets since her owner went to the hospital. She's very pregnant and is used to being an indoor/outdoor cat. Right now she's in our spare bedroom with food, water, a bed, and a litter box.

If anybody has any advice, it would be gratefully appreciated.

[dorktv]

1. Sounds like you have done what needs to be done. Do you

know the owner?

[liontamer]

2. no he's the super of the building next door

We've seen the cat on the street and have been feeding her. Today somebody told us what happened so we took her in. the guy has another cat that hasn't been seen for days, we'd take her in too when we find her :(

[dorktv]

3. Because you might want to take her to the vet and see how she is

doing but I was not sure what kind of monetary investment you want to make in this cat. She will be fine as long as she has food, water, shelter and a place to go to the bathroom. The vet trip would just tell you how many kittens, and if she is healthy.

[liontamer]

7. I want to get her to the vet

Is there anything special about how to carry her. I generally just put my cats into their bags and carry them to the vet on foot. What special care should I take with her?

[dorktv]

10. Just take her in the carrier you have. Put something soft in there

though.

[DRoseDARs]

11. I would say get a carrying case or just a cardboard box; something with...

...a flat bottom and some towels/blankets for padding. If it were a regular cat then the bag would be fine, but a pregnant cat? I'd err on the side of caution. :)

[liontamer]

13. I think I'll do that

and take her in a cab

[SoDesuKa]

4. Cats Like to Hide When They Give Birth

You might want to consider some "hidden" places where the cat can bring forth. Try to think the way a pregnant cat would think.

[brainshrub]

6. I don't even understand how non-pregnant cats think. EOM.

[liontamer]

8. she has the closet

as an option. hopefully that will do. She can also go under tables in that room

[DRoseDARs]

5. Just keep doing what you've been doing, but also contact a vet...

...For professional advice. Let him/her know the situation. Keep trying to speak directly to the owner if possible, or a relative/co-worker if available. This super should be made aware that someone is taking care of at least one cat in his absence.

[liontamer]

9. From what I heard

somebody is supposed to be taking care of his cats, but they just locked the cats out instead and are chilling in the apt (BASTARDS)

[dorktv]

12. Well now you can utilize one of our public service agencies and

call the Animal department and report them for neglect!

[DRoseDARs]

14. Definitely let the owner know that at some point, but being that he's...

...in the hospital, might be better not to mention that just yet. Of course, then again, strangers taking care of the cats your apartment-sitter should be taking care of might tip the super off that someone isn't doing their job...

[miss_kitty]

15. a box with clean bedding in a spot where she wants to be is good

they'll pop into a closet or under a bed, and something there that will give her even a more 'sheltered' feeling might make her feel more safe. also save you a duvet wash! :)

ps you are a saint for doing this liontamer...i'd let the guy or a family member know his kitty is ok...that will help HIM get better faster too...

[liontamer]

18. i'm hesitant to tell him that one kitty is doing okay

when we don't know where the other one is, and he when he had every reason to believe both his cats were fine.

[davsand]

16. Depending on how close she is to birthing...

It might be a real good idea to make her a nesting box so that MAYBE you can urge her to not kitten in your closet. Cats like dark places to have kittens and they like enclosed places. (Dark is good for the kittens' eyes while they finish developing, and enclosed places are easier to defend--remember--adult male cats can and will kill kittens so as to bring Mom back into heat sooner.)

Your best bet is to take a cardboard box and cut a door out of one side of it. Be sure to leave a lip of about two inches on the bottom of the doorway so the kittens won't fall out. Put some old towels or t-shirts on the bottom of the box so Mom has a soft place to lay down, plus it is absorbent material for the kittens to lay on.

Cover the top of the box if it is open--so mom will rest easier--and put the door facing away from traffic. If you think she is attracted to the closet, then put the box in there or else just keep the door closed. Same way with under the table or under the bed...

I would urge you to put Mom on a high quality Kitten Chow now so her milk will be better nutrition for the kittens. Plus the extra calories and vitamins will be good for her while shes carrying those babies.

Mom's milk will stat to come in (her teats will fill) 24-48 hours before she goes into labor.

Good luck to you all, and DO call the vet if you are worried at all.

Bless you for taking her in!

Laura

[liontamer]

17. thanks for the tips

We have a nesting box for her, but we didn't think to cover it. We have her in the spare room to keep her away from our other two cats. I don't know if her milk has come in yet , but to my untrained eyes she looks ready to have babies within the week

[flvegan]

19. Ugh...

Here's where I become hated...

Take her to a local spay/neuter clinic and have her spayed now. The kittens will be euthanized by the knock-down dope. Why would I, animal lover, say this?

She's about to bring 6-12 kittens into a country that euthanizes 5 million animals a year due to a lack of homes. Sure, it'd be great if you/anyone could find homes for her kittens, but then, that's exactly that many homes that don't have a spot for a cat ALREADY in a shelter. Also, the homes that might be found for these kittens...they'll "promise" to spay/neuter them, right? So this doesn't happen again? Or they'll be done before they go to new homes, right?

[liontamer]

20. you may be right

Before she became pregnant, I often saw her and wanted to snatch her and have her spayed, but I didn't and the inevitable happened. Although i've taken her in, she still isn't my cat and if her owner was expecting kittens I don't want the responsibility of denying them. Copout I know, but it's hard to make such difficult decisions. Considering how she's been treated I doubt she'll have six kittens. She's a very scrawny cat. But you're right, even 1 kitten would be unnecessary. If she's still in our care after she gives birth, I'll definately get her spayed. I'll even offer to get her spayed if we give her back, but I don't think I can have her spayed right now.

[DRoseDARs]

21. Your options are pretty crummy at the moment...

Do you tell the owner you have only one of the cats? Do you wait until he's out of the hospital, after the kittens are born based on what you're seeing with the cat? Do you potentially go against the wishes of her owner by having her spayed?

My thinking would be to keep the cat isolated in a room of your apartment where she'll have a place to eat away from a place to crap and pee and away from the birthing corner. Keep them there (except when taking them to the vet to make sure they're alright) until you've spoken with the owner and cleared things with him. My cat was spayed when she was 1 so we never faced kittens, but if we hadn't gone that route we'd probably take her to the vet and see if they'd watch over her during labor. I'd be scared shitless not knowing what, if anything, to do to help. Don't let the cat anywhere near the outside until you've spoken with the owner. You already can't find the one cat, lord knows you'd be tempting fate with the other.

You have a good heart and a sound mind for taking this stranger's cat into your home. Baring - God forbid - complications during labor which can and do happen now and then, I'm sure the cat and her kittens will be fine under your care and watchful eye. :thumbsup: