Kitty in heat

[karlyb]

Polly , the little female who found her way into my house this winter is in heat now. She looks to be about six monts old but she hasn't grown at all since she moved in so not really sure about her age. The humane society is holding spay/neuter clinic soon so I was waiting to get her fixed. The little male kitten, Bobby, who also moved in this winter, is trying to mate her. How old does male cat have to be for him to impregnate her? He's banished to the bedroom for now. Also, the most annoying part of this whole thing is that my big boys, all of them neutered long ago, are trying to mate her. What the heck? Is this a cat thing or just a male thing?

Thanks for any input or suggestions.

[Karen]

Segregating her from all of them as best you can will be the best thing for your sanity at this point. Giving her her own "suite" - even if it's just a bathroom confinement would be best. A male can can impregnate a female by 4-6 months of age, so definitely keep her away from Bobby most importantly.

[karlyb]

Thanks Karen. I'm definitely keeping Polly and Bobby separated. They're like a couple of horny teenagers. Little kittens are oh so cute, but I've already got 17 indoor cats.

[Freedom]

Also, make a quick phone call to a vet, and ask about spaying a female in heat.

I know for dogs, you have to wait I think 3 months after the heat cycle? Weird. For cats, I think it is OK, but it costs a bit extra if they are in heat (more medical waste). I don't know if the clinic will charge extra, that would be a separate phone call. Just best to KNOW in advance, is my point.

Good luck!

[DriftyAlison0]

It is possible to spay a cat in heat but most vets would rather wait since there is more risk to it. Hince the price increase. Just have to bear her noises and keep any unfixed male cats away from her.

[karlyb]

Bobby has appointment on the 17th for his neuter. Polly is isolated to the bedroom now so the males (Bobby and the adult neutered males) will leave her alone. She can't get in for spay until next month, poor little girl. I hope the shelter's schedule coincides with Polly's heat cycle so she can have the surgery.

[Medusa]

My CH girl, Creamsicle, didn't come into heat for the first time until she was around 6 years old, believe it or not, but when she did, it was maddening around here. She'd be in heat for a few days, then out, then in again, etc. (She's the only cat I hadn't gotten spayed b/c of her CH and deafness. I was scared to death to put her under anesthesia but I worried for nothing. There were no problems at all.) I had several spay appointments but each time she would come into heat and my vet didn't want to do the surgery then. Finally, after something like 6 cancelled appointments, he said to bring her in anyhow b/c I was at my breaking point w/the constant yowling. So I can sympathize, trust me. I'm sure all will go well for Polly, too, and this will all be a memory.

[karlyb]

Medusa, what is CH? Little Creamsicle gave you some entertainment with her heat cycles, didn't she?

My older girl Macy did the yowling, writhing bit when she came into heat when she was a young cat. I thought I'd go nuts listening to her. Off to the vet and we never had to deal with that again!

Polly isn't yowling, thank heaven, but the big boys (neutered) are so mean to her. One of them took a chunk of fur out of her neck and a 15# boy pinning down a 6# female just seems abusive. Polly is still segregated in the bedroom and will have to stay there until her surgery next month. She's a sweet little kitty.

[Karen]

CH = Cerebellar hypoplasia - it's like Cerebal Palsy in human beings, and can range in severity from cat to cat. It is usually caused by the mother cat being sick, with something like distemper during her pregnancy.

[Medusa]

Yes, I had a real time w/Creamsicle. I was on the phone once and the caller said "It's ok; I can call back. Go tend to your baby". I said "Um, that's my cat. She's in heat". She couldn't believe it! LOL When I first rescued her, she couldn't even stand b/c of the CH but she's improved so much that you can hardly tell she has it except for a little tremor and when you pick her up. I have to scoop her up sort of like a football b/c that's when she really becomes spastic. She also can't jump too high b/c of poor balance but other than that, she's just like all the others in the Fur Posse. Her deafness doesn't stop her one bit and I don't even remember that she's deaf until I talk about her.

I feel for little Polly if she's being picked on by the big boys. Hopefully, that will all end after she's spayed. You're doing good by keeping her away from them for the time being. Please keep us posted and keep the faythe.