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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / April 2005Unfolding Feral Cat Drama
I trapped the cat per Megan's advice; she was right about hunger overcoming caution. I couldn't get a good look at the cat in the trap because she was crouching. So, I went under my trailer and ripped out a bunch of insulation and unused ducting to make sure there were no kittens, at least in the most likely spots. (Believe it or not, I am renovating this trailer, since it is basically a stick house under the metal, so this tearout is part of the plan and seasonal to boot.) Then, I took the cat in the bathroom and tried to transfer the her from the trap to the pet porter so I could get a better look at her, but my cat-handling skills are not up to "Animal Cops" standards. Nor do I have a rabies pole. The cat leapt out of the porter, scrambled up the wall, bounced off the ceiling and took refuge behind a metal wastebasket under the bathroom sink. That is where she is at this moment. I put the nannycam in the pet porter along with some food and turned off the lights. This was about half an hour ago. I want to confirm that this cat is pregnant and release her immediately if not. Any thoughts on how I should do this? Charlie > I trapped the cat per Megan's advice; she was right about hunger > overcoming caution. [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > Charlie If you can re-trap her or even get a good look at her... well, if she's hugely pregnant, her sides will bulge. Fat cat belly hangs down and looks very pouchy. Pregnant cat belly bulges to the sides and looks very round and sorta tight. If you can get in there, close the door behind you, drape a dark towel over the porter. Make that her dark little hidey hole. If you move slowly enough, you can probably scoot that wastebasket aside and scoot the porter forward at her. Slowly. Just make sure the bathroom door is securely closed, and once she's in the porter, make sure that's good and closed, too. >I trapped the cat per Megan's advice; >she was right about hunger overcoming >caution. Yay! <snip> >Then, I took the cat in the bathroom and >tried to transfer the her from the trap [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >ceiling and took refuge behind a metal >wastebasket under the bathroom sink. Don't worry. You did nothing wrong. Wall climbing is very typical of ferals. She'll settle down. >That is where she is at this moment. >I put the nannycam in the pet porter [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >not. Any thoughts on how I should do >this? When you saw her yesterday did she still look pregnant? If so it is unlikely she had the babies this quick. The reason I say that is because in my experience, when ferals have their kittens, they usually disappear for a few days before eventually showing up to feed again. If you can manage to get a good look at her via the nanny cam tonight or first thing in the morning you should be able to tell if she is still pregnant. If not see if you can quietly slip into the bathroom and get a look at her (really be careful about watching the door when you enter so she doesn't get out.) A cat that has just had kittens usually looks a little thin and drawn so it should be easy to determine. If she's still pregnant it will be obvious. I also should mention that a pair of welding gloves (for handling purposes) would be a good investment. :-) Hang in there. it does get better. Megan  Signature"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu's Cats Photo Album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22 "Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." - W.H. Murray > Then, I took the cat in the bathroom and tried to transfer the her > from the trap to the pet porter so I could get a better look at her, [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > wastebasket under the bathroom sink. That is where she is at this > moment. I have absolutely *no* advice to offer you...luckily there are many others here skilled at dealing with ferals and strays. However, I just wanted you to know I am reading your story and eagerly awaiting more details as they come...and ROOTING LIKE HELL for you and the kitty! Best of luck and thanks for trying to do a good thing! :) Pam (and Luna and JasperDudley) >> Then, I took the cat in the bathroom and tried to transfer the her >> from the trap to the pet porter so I could get a better look at her, [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > >Pam (and Luna and JasperDudley) Thank you. The big question is, did she have her litter yet? I haven't gotten a good enough look to tell. If she had the litter, it was only within the past day or two, and they will die quickly without her. That is better than a litter of ferals who grow up to breed, IMO. I'm 90% sure there are no kittens under my house. If she didn't have the litter yet, everything ought to be fine. My bathroom is a safe enough place, as long as she and I can share it peacefully. It's also a relatively easy place to clean up messes. We will see where this goes. I may be making and compounding a lot of mistakes. But this is a two-cat household at the moment. The one I scraped off the road is calming down and getting adjusted. He will be a nice pet: www.geocities.com/wallofgrays/napcat.jpg Charlie > If she had the litter, it was only within the past day or two, and > they will die quickly without her. That is better than a litter of > ferals who grow up to breed, IMO. No. That philosophy is exactly what TNR was developed to prevent- unnecessary deaths. Sometimes it can't be helped regardless of how hard we try to save the kittens, but allowing kittens to die that could have been saved is nothing short of neglect and cruelty. Young feral kittens are very easy to socialize and home and there are many low-cost mobile vet clinics - some even neuter ferals and strays and their kittens for free. Let me know your area- I'll try to locate a low-cost or free mobile clinic close to you. Please try as hard as you can to save the kittens. Phil. >> If she had the litter, it was only within the past day or two, and >> they will die quickly without her. That is better than a litter of [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > >Phil. My fondest hope is that she has not yet had them, in which case they will be born in a safe, warm place with plenty of food and every prospect of a good future. If she has already had them, however, they are gonna die because I don't know where they are and I have decided not to release her until she has been spayed and vetted. Charlie > >> If she had the litter, it was only within the past day or two, and > >> they will die quickly without her. That is better than a litter of [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > Charlie Charlie--have you had a good look at her? A very pregnant cat is hard to miss. Her sides will be swollen out to the side. > We will see where this goes. I may be making and compounding a lot of > mistakes. But this is a two-cat household at the moment. The one I [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Charlie He looks pretty happy! > I trapped the cat per Megan's advice; she was right about hunger > overcoming caution. [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > Charlie You will still want to see if a vet would spay her even if she is not pregnant. As long as you have her, why not. Or do you mean, you wonder if she has had the kittens already? > I trapped the cat per Megan's advice; she was right about hunger > overcoming caution. <snip> I would get her in the carrier and take her to be spayed asap - whether or not she is pg. You can use a fishing net to trap her - put the over her and slide the ring up and around so that she is enclosed in the net, but can't get out. Then put the face of the net to the opening in the carrier (you have to be quick), and she should run in with some prodding. (This is a technique often used by vets.) If you can get a look at her while she is in the net see if you can see teats. if they are sticking out and engorged, she has had kittens. if not, she likely has not. Get her spayed so that you don't have to do this again in a couple of months. Cats will have 2 litters a year. -L. >> I trapped the cat per Megan's advice; she was right about hunger >> overcoming caution. [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > >-L. Believe me, this cat is only going to have one litter in 2005 and that is one more than she will have next year. She's in my bathroom, and I have decided not to rush things at this point. It's a tiny area and she could inflict a very nasty injury. If she has had the litter, it will die. If not, she can have it in my bathroom. I don't want to consign a litter of newborn kittens to death, but it is the risk I have chosen because I can stop the cycle and then release the cat to stay around or go somewhere else as she pleases. Charlie > Believe me, this cat is only going to have one litter in 2005 and that > is one more than she will have next year. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > and then release the cat to stay around or go somewhere else as she > pleases. Very sensible. It sounds to me like you're doing great! Keep that food and water available, and if you've got a spare cardboard box and some old towels, maybe shove a prospective birthing box in there with her. Do you have somewhere else for when *you* need to use the bathroom? ;-) Priscilla Signature"You can't welcome someone into a body of Christ and then say only certain rooms are open." -- dancertm in alt.religion.christian.episcopal "Charlie Wilkes" <charlie_wilkes@users.easynews.com> wrote in message > > Then, I took the cat in the bathroom and tried to transfer the her > from the trap to the pet porter so I could get a better look at her, > but my cat-handling skills are not up to "Animal Cops" standards. Nor > do I have a rabies pole. The cat leapt out of the porter, When transferring a cat from a trap to a cage or carrier, open the carrier gate and block the opening with a piece of cardboard. Butt the rear sliding door of the trap to the carrier entrance raise the door or the trap and slide out the piece of cardboard. P. > "Charlie Wilkes" <charlie_wilkes@users.easynews.com> wrote in message > > > Then, I took the cat in the bathroom and tried to transfer the her [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > door of the trap to the carrier entrance raise the door or the trap and > slide out the piece of cardboard. LOL! Too much catnip for me! When transferring a cat from a trap to a cage or carrier, open the carrier gate and butt the carrier to sliding door of the trap. Raise the sliding door of the trap. After the cat enters the carrier, slide a piece of cardboard across the carrier opening. Slide the piece of cardboard out slowly as you close the carrier gate. P Sounds like an eventful night at your place. I think her hunger will once again rule if you either try to trap her again or just put the food in the carrier and watch from a distance. Poor thing is likely wondering what the hell is going on but you are doing her such a good deed. Let us know what happens Signature.oO rach Oo. >I trapped the cat per Megan's advice; she was right about hunger > overcoming caution. [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > Charlie Update: The trapped cat is still hiding behind the wastebasket in my bathroom. She comes out to eat and use a litter box, but she hides whenever I go in the bathroom. I still can't get a good look at her because the nannycam angles are too close. My bathroom is a spartan arrangement with cement-board on the floor. She won't damage anything, and she is safe. She seems to be calming down. My other salvage cat, Tweaker, looks like a pure success story. He is a pest and wants to be in my lap all the time, but his personality is pure delight. My dog has shone throughout this experience. She has gone beyond well-behaved to the point of being actively helpful. By shying from Tweaker when he attacks her, she has made him completely unafraid of her. Now he has decided to be her friend, which is what she wanted all along. Charlie > Update: > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > Charlie Hang in there. It really takes a lot of time. As long as she's eating and using the litterbox, the rest will fall into place. As one (of many here!) who trapped a feral (not pregnant, though) it took two weeks in a bathroom while nursing her through a URI that she got at the clinic when she was spayed until I could even get her into a carrier to put her in a better room (in a cage). I hope you can determine if she's still pregnant soon, and I'm happy to read about Tweaker and your dog! What good guys! SignatureCheryl "The clever cat eats cheese and breathes down rat holes with baited breath." - W.C. Fields > Hang in there. It really takes a lot of time. As long as she's > eating and using the litterbox, the rest will fall into place. As [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > you can determine if she's still pregnant soon, and I'm happy to > read about Tweaker and your dog! What good guys! I don't know much about pregnant and mom cats. The only time I was ever around a mom cat with kittens was when I found my cat, Emily, and her 4 babies (one of whom was my late Cory) but if I took one of the kittens into the other room or something, she would look panicked and desperately try to get to it. If this kitty of Charlie's has had her babies already, wouldn't she be desperately trying to get out and go to them? From what he says, it only sounds as though she is afraid of him, he isn't mentioning that she is trying to get out at all so doesn't this probably mean she is still pregnant? Candace > > Hang in there. It really takes a lot of time. As long as she's > > eating and using the litterbox, the rest will fall into place. As [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > > I don't know much about pregnant and mom cats. Then STFU. All you can do these days is spout off about things you know nothing about. LOL >> Hang in there. It really takes a lot of time. As long as she's >> eating and using the litterbox, the rest will fall into place. As [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > >Candace After being released from the trap and escaping the pet porter, this cat hid behind the trash can and did not come out for quite a few hours. Then, as far as I can tell, she examined the room, but I have not seen evidence that she is frantic to escape. She is eating well. But I have not gotten a solidly gynecological perspective on this animal since she has been in captivity, and I cannot tell if she is still pregnant. I posted the best pix I could get tonight at: www.geocities.com/wallofgrays/catcam.htm Opinions wanted. Charlie I think she looks about the same. She is either pregnant or extremely well fed. > After being released from the trap and escaping the pet porter, this > cat hid behind the trash can and did not come out for quite a few [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Charlie I posted the best pix I could get tonight at: > www.geocities.com/wallofgrays/catcam.htm > > Opinions wanted. She sure looks pregnant to me. She is not carrying them as high as I have seen many cats, but unless she was very fat before she got pregnant, what else could it be? > I posted the best pix I could get tonight at: >> [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >high as I have seen many cats, but unless she was very fat >before she got pregnant, what else could it be? My concern has been that she might have had the kittens just before I trapped her, on the night of April 16. If that is the case, they are dead by now. If she is still carrying the litter, everything ought to be fine. If she is merely obese, eventually she will calm down enough so I can get her to the vet and he can confirm that. Charlie > > I posted the best pix I could get tonight at: > >> [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > My concern has been that she might have had the kittens just before I > trapped her, on the night of April 16. But Charles, even so, every normal-sized cat I have ever seen that had kittens did not stay swollen after birth, like many woman do--they went back to their normal weight and look right away, with maybe some hanging skin from the underside of the tummy. This cat is still fat. I think the choices are: still pregnant, or just fat. If that is the case, they are > dead by now. If she is still carrying the litter, everything ought to > be fine. If she is merely obese, eventually she will calm down enough > so I can get her to the vet and he can confirm that. Or perhaps the kittens are still in there but not viable, which may be dangerous. I sure wish you could get her to the vet soon. > My concern has been that she might have had the kittens just before I > trapped her, on the night of April 16. If that is the case, they are [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Charlie She's still pg. If she had had them, her sides would have been sunken in - not round and distended as they are. If she had them already she would most likely be *howling* to get out. Based on her size I will bet she has them within the week. Do you have a dark place she can hide to have them - like a carrier in the bathtub or something like that? Also when she has them disturb her as little as possible. Being feral if you disturb her too much she may cease to care for them. Please keep us posted. -L. >> My concern has been that she might have had the kittens just before I >> trapped her, on the night of April 16. If that is the case, they are [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] >already she would most likely be *howling* to get out. Based on her >size I will bet she has them within the week. That's what I thought. She hasn't made much (if any) effort to escape. >Do you have a dark place she can hide to have them - like a carrier in >the bathtub or something like that? Yes, I set up a deep cabinet with the swing doors facing upwards and one of the doors propped open just enough for a cat to go in there and hide. I put a nice clean towel down. Alternatively, she can choose to have the litter in the niche behind the bathroom wastebasket. >Also when she has them disturb her as little as possible. Being feral >if you disturb her too much she may cease to care for them. Yes. I want her to feel safe. As of now, she can see that I'm bringing her food and taking an interest in her by talking to her, but not approaching any closer than I have to. Tonight I see she has abandoned her hidey-hole behind the wastebasket in favor of a perch atop the shower stall, where she crouches and glares at me with saucer eyes. In a few weeks I can release her, and she can resume her previous life without the burden of future pregnancies. >Please keep us posted. I will do so. My other project cat, the one I scraped off the road, got neutered and vetted today. I thought he was a youngster because he is so tiny and unafraid of my big dog, but the vet says he's about six years old. He has crystals in his urine and requires special food, but he tested negative for feline leukemia. He is the opposite of the cat in the bathroom -- entirely trusting, with no desire to leave the premises and a great desire for affection and social interaction. Charlie >As of now, she can see that I'm > bringing her food and taking an interest in her by talking to her, but > not approaching any closer than I have to. Tonight I see she has > abandoned her hidey-hole behind the wastebasket in favor of a perch > atop the shower stall, where she crouches and glares at me with saucer > eyes. Now this is a really good sign! > In a few weeks I can release her, and she can resume her previous life > without the burden of future pregnancies. Super. You are a good man. > My other project cat, the one I scraped off the road, got neutered and > vetted today. I thought he was a youngster because he is so tiny and [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > bathroom -- entirely trusting, with no desire to leave the premises > and a great desire for affection and social interaction. He sounds like a total sweetie. He was probably lonely, hungry, and miserable out there--maybe for years--from when he got dumped to when you took him in. I just brings tears to my eyes, and makes me wonder--again--why more people do not adopt strays when it is so rewarding. Just a word of warning -- she will have them where you least expect it! We set up 4 nice, hidey nests for our pregnant stray last year. She ended up having the litter between a box and the wall (where she could barely fit.) Luckily, Walter noticed she was having them after the first one, because she could not even lay down for the kitten to nurse! He pulled the box out, she laid down, and the kittens kept coming... Good luck with your new additions. Rhonda > Yes, I set up a deep cabinet with the swing doors facing upwards and > one of the doors propped open just enough for a cat to go in there and > hide. I put a nice clean towel down. Alternatively, she can choose > to have the litter in the niche behind the bathroom wastebasket. >Just a word of warning -- she will have them where you least expect it! >We set up 4 nice, hidey nests for our pregnant stray last year. She [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > >Rhonda Thanks for the tip. I will close up a couple of small gaps just like what you describe. I assume I should stay out of the room when she is having the kittens. Will she make a lot of noises when she goes into labor? Charlie >> Yes, I set up a deep cabinet with the swing doors facing upwards and >> one of the doors propped open just enough for a cat to go in there and >> hide. I put a nice clean towel down. Alternatively, she can choose >> to have the litter in the niche behind the bathroom wastebasket. > Thanks for the tip. I will close up a couple of small gaps just like > what you describe. I assume I should stay out of the room when she is > having the kittens. Will she make a lot of noises when she goes into > labor? > > Charlie No. She will "nest" by making a soft spot to birth. Then she will hide to have the kittens. She will be quiet, so as not to alert predators. -L. > >Just a word of warning -- she will have them where you least expect it! > >We set up 4 nice, hidey nests for our pregnant stray last year. She [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > having the kittens. Will she make a lot of noises when she goes into > labor? Charlie, haven't you seen this before? It's weird and wonderful. She may get a little excited at first--some cats don't quite understand and kind of circle around looking at their hindquarters. But after that she will lie down and purr, cleaning up after each kitten is born by helping to free them from the sac they are each born in. It is my understanding that cats purr during good and just plain powerful emotions and physical feelings. Neat stuff. > news:92tl61lotjkej4g3nst7q95u5q8kele66t@4ax.com... >> [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > understanding that cats purr during good and just plain powerful > emotions and physical feelings. Neat stuff. I've never seen it either although I would love to. To be honest, I'd be a bit more than nervous that everything was coming out ok ... I guess they just know what to do on their own. :) > Thanks for the tip. I will close up a couple of small gaps just like > what you describe. I assume I should stay out of the room when she is > having the kittens. Will she make a lot of noises when she goes into > labor? > > Charlie Hi Charlie, You are doing a wonderful thing for this kitty. I so hope that she will stay with you. Her behaviour certainly points to her becoming more trusting. Since you don't know how far along she is in her pregnancy and she does look quite big, be on the alert for any signs of distress/illness in case things are not progressing as they should and/or the kittens are not well or alive which means that she will need vet care. Here is a very good web site with excellent links: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/9352/owners.html - scroll down to "Caring for Newborns and Orphans" and you'll find a lot of info on pregnancy, birth, care of newborns, etc. You may find some of the hints and tips very helpful and you'll continue into this adventure well-prepared. With wishes that all will go well. M. Our stray was not feral, and she started being friendly to us very quickly. She was very big when we caught her, but did not have the kittens for two weeks. In the last week, she would jump up on my lap and sit, and I could feel the babies kicking and squirming. Since we knew she trusted us, we were in the room while she gave birth. If your kitty really is feral and doesn't warm up to you quickly, I'd probably stay back and not disturb her. You will want to check on them at some point -- you might call the vet and ask for advice about your situation. The mom stays with them almost constantly for a week or so, so it will be hard to check for awhile if she doesn't want you near. The bedding will also need to be changed, we just took out the old towels and replaced them every few days as they got older. Let us know what happens! Rhonda > Thanks for the tip. I will close up a couple of small gaps just like > what you describe. I assume I should stay out of the room when she is > having the kittens. Will she make a lot of noises when she goes into > labor? > > Charlie > I don't know much about pregnant and mom cats. The only time I was > ever around a mom cat with kittens was when I found my cat, Emily, and [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > babies already, wouldn't she be desperately trying to get out and go to > them? Not necessarily, especially if this is her first litter. What I would expect is she would do the "confused cat" howl at the door - and may or may not try to get to them. But looking at the cam shot, she's still pg. *Very* pg. -L. Ahhh, what a great story! How wonderful that you've saved 2 cats (and more once there's a litter...) and your dog is doing so wonderfully. Rhonda > Update: > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > Charlie What about her tits... isn't that a visual clue > What about her tits... > > isn't that a visual clue Only in a pet forum could you get away with that question. LOL |
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