Tigerlily's Kitttens

CrAzy Mii · 23-05-2009, 01:11 PM

We have a year old dollfaced persian called tigerlily she is EXTREAMLY SMALL and very affectionate!
About a week and a half ago we to her to the V.E.T as we felt that she was pregnant, our feelings were confirmed and she is expecting kittens within the next 2 weeks!
Her stomach is HUGE!! This is tigerlily's first ever litter and ours too, so we are unknown about what to expect! We have her nest box ready and she sleeps in it practically all the time!
We have three questions to ask:

1. Tigerlily is still jumping and did so today, 6ft infact! We were extreamly worried, but we have felt the kittens moving about in her and she is happily purring! We would love to know if this behaviour is normal and if even though the kittens are moving about inside her will this damage her and them?

2. As we have never had kittens before we have no idea what to expect and look out for! Please could you tell us what to expect when the birth is near and what to do?

3. There are four children in the family aged 15, 13, 12 and 7 who are all on school holidays! They are very keen to know when the kittens can be touched! Please could you tell us when and how to touch them?

Thankyou everso much
From the Davies-Brown family

borderdawn · 23-05-2009, 03:50 PM

Quote:

1. Tigerlily is still jumping and did so today, 6ft infact! We were extreamly worried, but we have felt the kittens moving about in her and she is happily purring! We would love to know if this behaviour is normal and if even though the kittens are moving about inside her will this damage her and them?

She should be kept in.

Quote:

2. As we have never had kittens before we have no idea what to expect and look out for! Please could you tell us what to expect when the birth is near and what to do?

This should of all of been done before mating your cat, surely the stud cat owner advised you and your own cats breeder too? Being such a small cat did they see her as good enough to breed from?

Forgive the harsh tone here, but all of this is important BEFORE you even consider mating a cat not 2 weeks before she is due to have them.

smudgley · 23-05-2009, 05:23 PM

I have to agree totally with Dawn here. She is one year old & in your words an extremely small persian, do you know they often have to deliver by C/S?

dandysmom · 23-05-2009, 08:31 PM

I'm slightly appalled that she's pregnant so young and so small. Was it an accidental mating? It's too late now, I suggest you get in touch with your vet and discuss the birthing and kitten rearing with her/him. Poor little girl, hope she'll be OK. You will have her spayed after this, won't you?

Elaine · 23-05-2009, 08:44 PM

Have to agree with the others here, people really should be more clued up before mating their animals, better still if they decided against mating their pets. Its the same old tale, too few good homes and too many animals in rescue.

CrAzy Mii · 23-05-2009, 11:40 PM

Yes we realise we should have got her nueterd but it was too late! We will get her nueterd after the kittens are born! Yes we are keeping her inside but she is still jumping! Yes we have talked to the V.E.T about her size and age and they said they have seen 6month old cats give birth and that if she has any problems there is a twentyfour hour helpline we can call!
Please could someone tell us when to handle the kittens and how? Thankyou all very much

Elaine · 24-05-2009, 09:25 AM

http://www.fabcats.org/breeders/index.php

CrAzy Mii · 24-05-2009, 11:21 AM

Thankyou, we found this site very helpful

smudgley · 24-05-2009, 12:41 PM

6 month old cats can give birth with no problems at all, her age is not the issue here. Persians often have problems anyway giving birth, but if she is a very small one with a litter of kittens that often have big heads, this may cause her problems.

You can handle the kittens from very early on, I handle mine from birth for short periods(some people would say you shouldn't handle them that young, but I feel the importance of socialisation is vital from birth) Kittens have a critical socialisation period, this is the time when they need to be exposed to as many things as possible and won't be bothered by them, they are like little sponges & absorb things around them. You need to handle them lots and let them see and hear as many households noises and objects as possible. Be careful letting the children handle them though, supervised only if the children are young.

CrAzy Mii · 24-05-2009, 01:06 PM

Thanks for all the info you've given us smudgle it will really help!

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