We just came back from my mother-in-laws. My 7 year old son was petting her barn cat and I picked it up and lo and behold she was having kittens. Knew she was pregnant, but she was crownng while I was holding her. So we put her in a box with rags. She still kept eating her cat food the whole time, finally she pushed out the first one, totally hairless and tiny, about half the size it should be. Well she took care of that one (I know they're supposed to but YUCK). Then had 1 more the same way. Neither kitten moved, so we assume that they were still born. She probably had at least 2 more. We left then because my son said that's all he wanted to see, (told him to leave in the first place) So my question finally is, has this ever happened to anyone before? The cat is 3 years old and this is her 2nd litter, first litter of 5 was small but they all lived and found good homes for.

-- Tricia (rosie71@alltel.net), April 28, 2002

Answers

It does happen Tricia, the possible problem here is she may not pass all of the kittens. If not she is in trouble. Is she purebred? Can you just get her spayed? I mention this because if she is going to be prone to problems you will need to watch her a lot closer than you are now. If you are not prepared to contain and watch her closely maybe spaying is the way to go. Don't know, just some thoughts. I'd be inclined to palpate her abdomen and make sure she has had all the kittens. If not you will feel them(it), and it's time to take her to your Veterinarian. Hope all is well, LQ

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), April 28, 2002.

The same thing happened to a cat here last year. 2nd litter for the four year old mama. She had 4 of those tiny, hairless babies. She cleaned up, and then mourned them for about two weeks. This year however, she has a litter of five healthy kittens.

Before everyone starts insisting that I should have her spayed, let me say that this cat only shows up at our house twice a year. She visits us the week of Christmas - New Years, and then again in the spring to find a birthing place. I assume she lives with another family the rest of the time as she's clean and well fed. I'm guessing that maybe her other family goes away at those times? Either way, I'm not about to spend the $$ to spay this cat that we call Gypsy.

-- Marge (mboyc73@yahoo.com), April 28, 2002.