New Ferrel Catch

[ratchet22]

This is what I caught Saturday. She is very young, scared and ferrel. She looked pregnant before we trapped her, so fat she waddles. Was wondering when I check her later if she isnt pregnant, is there any other reason for being so big and bloted I should check for? I finally touched her this morning, I think she may come around sooner than my mr. meanine, Im just taking it really slow, you know how ferrels can be. Also can I put front line on her if there is a possibility of her being pregnant? She has major fleas.....

[jazzcat]

She's very pretty.

[sirrahved]

What a gorgeous kitty!

I know sometimes cats that come into AC&C can look pg but are actually full of worms. But I've also heard that the cats around here are coming into heat... so you never know!

I know frontline can be used on little babies and nursing moms, (according to our vet at least) but I don't know about pregnant cats.

[ratchet22]

anyone else know about frontline and pregnant cats? I am so excited, she actually let me pet her, I have been feeding her for awhile. Maybe she already trust me, or to fat to care But Im totally ecxcited, i tried to feel her tummy with out upsetting her, but didnt feel anything, will try again later. I want to take her out, but not until I know what you guys think about the frontline plus, because if I can put it on her, I will do it all at once. Frontline, and check for babies......

[kt_luvs_kitties]

She is very pretty. I would think that it was either being pregnant, or worms. As too the frontline, At my vet we always were told not to use it, even if the packaging says otherwise.
Good luck with her!

[Kristl]

Angel is preggy and she will not let me touch her tummy. I've tried to feel it, see if I can feel the babies, but she won't have it.

[ratchet22]

is angel ferrel? The one I have is ferrel. So far she will let me from the outside, but in the cage, no way-lol

[catmandu]

Bless you,for helping That Poor Little Cat,and a Star goes beside your name,and you,will be rerwarded,when,you come to The Rainbow Bridge,Years from Now!

[ratchet22]

Well so far she has let me touch her, today I used a towel and some how she let me pet her, I was able to feel her tummy, but not well enough to see if shes p.g. I tried to pick her up, and thats where she draws her line! I will keep on, no purring yet and still unsure. But She IS one of my better ferrels. Will keep you updated

[Laura's Babies]

ewwww... don't try to pick her up YET!! Far to soon! She is beautiful and she really don't look that scared. Mike got Wally to accept him "picking" him up but he started by just putting his hand under the tummy and moving it away until he got use to that.. Now we are at the pick him up until his feet leave the floor of the cage and sitting him right back down.. ONE small step at a time!

[val]

I would worm her regardless of whether you believe she is pregnant or not as intestinal parasites are no good for her. As a feral she most likely has them as I'm sure she's been eating wildlife, etc. to survive. Is she urinating enough? If she has a urinary blockage of any type her belly could swell from backed up urine. If you have lots of time and patience and you can just sit by her and watch her tummy you may see kittens move. If not, of course it still doesn't mean she's NOT pregnant. Ultrasound would be the best way to find out. Also would tell you how close to birth. 45 days or older you will see skeletons. I know she won't let you squeeze her nipples but she could be producing milk. She sure is a beauty!

[ratchet22]

Thanks Val, for the first time ever, I would prefer worms. Kittens are by the tons, and lord knows we dont need more. I am gaining her trust very quickly, so I intend to check her withen the next few days. I hate this sloooowwwww stuff, my paitence's are SLIM , especially when you just want to hold and love them after there horrible life on the streets. I am to the point with my other ferrel that he is going to be a barn cat, that breaks my heart. I can pet him most of the time, but other times he still hisses and refuses to be picked up. I am at a lost, its been 8 months, and I cant keep it up with him. It will break my heart to have to part with him, but i think it will make him happier, i will wait till it gets warmer.

[mruffruff]

She's very pretty.

Is she going to see a vet soon?

I have a feral that has been in my bedroom for 2 years and I still can't touch her. She's getting better. I can't let her loose now or she'd probably starve. No barns around here. She gets along with the rest of the semi-ferals so I'll just be patient.

Mary

[val]

OK, I am about to get crucified for saying this but I just HAVE to: if there is any way to get her to a vet to check on the extent of the pregnancy (if there is a pregnancy) it may not be too late to spay her. Yes, there are way too many kittens in this world that will never have the chance to have homes and be loved and be someones pet. I can never advocate putting any more on this planet. Once they are here, any one that knows me knows that I do anything to get them well when sick and find them homes. I know from my experience with the nonprofit spay/neuter organization I help with that this can be a very touchy subject and I don't want to start a prolife/prochoice debate here. There are countless couples waiting for babies to adopt out there. There are no waiting lists for homeless kittens and puppies. If there were more homes than homeless all of the shelters, animal control facilities and rescues could just lock their doors. So there you have it folks.

I'm so sorry your other feral has not come around. Some that have never had human contact just cannot cope with it and would undoubtedly be happier to be free. As long as they are spay/neutered and vaccinated (and hopefully tested) they will be more comfortable in a barn environment. If there is somewhere warm for them to sleep and they are fed and watered daily they will be content. They do not know the first thing about being a pet in the sense that we do. Some, I think can certainly become so but others just may never in spite of our best efforts. You shouldn't feel guilty for something that is beyond your control. As some others have said some of the cats they raised as kittens are standoffish and don't care to be held, carried and cuddled. I have one like that myself and I couldn't force him to give me the attention that I would like because he just can't do it. It's nothing personal, it's just the way it is. So please don't be heartbroken. He'll be much happier not living in a cage (8 months is a long time).

Just one woman's opinion!

[ratchet22]

Originally posted by val
OK, I am about to get crucified for saying this but I just HAVE to: if there is any way to get her to a vet to check on the extent of the pregnancy (if there is a pregnancy) it may not be too late to spay her. Yes, there are way too many kittens in this world that will never have the chance to have homes and be loved and be someones pet. I can never advocate putting any more on this planet. Once they are here, any one that knows me knows that I do anything to get them well when sick and find them homes. I know from my experience with the nonprofit spay/neuter organization I help with that this can be a very touchy subject and I don't want to start a prolife/prochoice debate here. There are countless couples waiting for babies to adopt out there. There are no waiting lists for homeless kittens and puppies. If there were more homes than homeless all of the shelters, animal control facilities and rescues could just lock their doors. So there you have it folks.

I'm so sorry your other feral has not come around. Some that have never had human contact just cannot cope with it and would undoubtedly be happier to be free. As long as they are spay/neutered and vaccinated (and hopefully tested) they will be more comfortable in a barn environment. If there is somewhere warm for them to sleep and they are fed and watered daily they will be content. They do not know the first thing about being a pet in the sense that we do. Some, I think can certainly become so but others just may never in spite of our best efforts. You shouldn't feel guilty for something that is beyond your control. As some others have said some of the cats they raised as kittens are standoffish and don't care to be held, carried and cuddled. I have one like that myself and I couldn't force him to give me the attention that I would like because he just can't do it. It's nothing personal, it's just the way it is. So please don't be heartbroken. He'll be much happier not living in a cage (8 months is a long time).

Just one woman's opinion!

oops, let me refraise, he hasn't been in the cage 8 months. That sounds terrible, sorry, just this last week. I had him nuetered and shots and tested over a week ago, actually i let him out months ago, and it took me till last week to catch him again. I truly will SOMEDAY learn from my errors Next time shots and nueter first......but its done.

As far as the kitten thing, yes there are different opinions out there. I agree, way to many kitties. When she was outside she looked like a big tug boat, maybe she's just fat! That would be nice. I need to give her a little time before I drag her through misery, I really think she is coming around, which will make life easier to get her to the vet, shots checked, and spayed, heck for all I know she could be a he A reall pugy HE I should know in the next few days. I will let you know....