Hi!... Can someone tell me........

[steph j]

at about what age a kitten goes in heat?

I have 2 barn cats--Abby is around 4 months old--the vet doesn't like to spay until 6 months old, but I'm concerned that it will be too late!

The other cat, Garfield, is neutered--he's around a year old (I rescued him a few months back), but I have a neighbor that has about 20 cats--and I'm sure they are not neutered and taken care of. :(

These are my first cats ever--my whole family is very allergic to them--(that's why they live in my barn!)--so It's all very knew to me!

Thanks a lot!

:)

[SpencerTheLion]

Welcome to Talkpets! Female cats usually become sexually mature at six to nine months, so Abby is unlikely to have kittens. Siamese tend to mature faster than other breeds. Four months is old enough for most vets. Younger than four months is when vets debate if neutering is too early.

Thank you for neutering Garfield.

[steph j]

What a quick response!

I appreciate your help--that makes me feel better, but I want her spayed now, If I can find a vet to do it! The last thing I want is my baby having babies!

She's a calico--I don't think there is any siamese in her. I got her from a friends niece--her neighbors cat had the kittens. She was half wild, but has come around really nice!

Thanks again! I'm calling a new vet to make an appointment!!!

:D

[SpencerTheLion]

Check with shelters for low-cost neutering. There is a famous orgainization in North Carolina that neuters ferals - Operation Catnip (http://www.operationcatnip.com/)

[steph j]

but I'm very leary of those things. Probably because I've never used one.

The reason I'm saying a different vet is because I'm in the process of switching. He actually gave my kitten a dog vaccine last time and then lied about it and tried to cover it.

Then he gave my dog the wrong medication for his eye ulcer.

Plus his patience with the animals has gotten bad and his temper is out of control.

I just don't trust him anymore--and my pets are my children!!! I don't want to be any more stressed when I leave my kitten for spay--it's worrysome enough...

ya know?!

Have you ever dealt with the low-cost spay people? I don't know of anyone that has dealt with them.

Thanks again, you are very helpful! :well:

[SpencerTheLion]

Well...Ms Vicky, the Chinchilla Persian mix in my sig. Trevor, also in the sig. A regular vet is probably the most cautious approach.

P.S. Please tell others about TalkPets! as we are still new.

[steph j]

Thank you! And I will spread the word about TalkPets! It's a great site!!!

Your cats are beautiful!!!

:D

[k933tlc]

I wish you would report this vet to someone to look at how he is running his practice. Lord knows how many pets are in danger if he is as bad as you say.

[steph j]

I haven't thought about that one...

Something is going on with him--he was great for a long time (I've used him over a year and go all the time). But when it comes to my animals safety--you just can't be too safe, ya know?

Thanks!

:)

[CatQueen2007]

I'm Beth. Now, more than likely no matter how hard you look you will not find anyone to spay your kitty until she is six months old. I doubt that she is pregnant at her age. At her age however they do tend to be very territorial, meaning will chase any cat that comes into your yard, and more than likely will not mate. It is possible, anything is possble. Does you kitty show signs of having.........:o nipples yet? (can you visibly see them?) My oldest female, aside from her mother is almost 5 months and we still can't see any nipples. However, if in a couple of weeks she seems very heavy compared to normal, and/or you can now see nipples and they seem to be bulging as like to say stomach area around them is flat and when you see a single nipple that small area is enlarged.... you might want to take her in and have her tested to see if she's pregnant. Good Luck, hope I was of some assistance! :wavey:

[steph j]

Yes, you were a lot of help, Thank you!!! :D

Right now she's still very much kitten--however, I have never had a kitten, so I'm not sure at what age they mature. We have a lot of cats in the area that are not fixed--and I don't want my kittie to get in trouble!

I'm sure she's not old enough, right now--but I would like to have her spayed before it's too late.

I've checked with the 2 good vets in my town, and you are right, they won't spay until 6 months of age.

So, hopefully, she'll be okay until then!

Thanks again! I'm sure I'll have a lot more questions as she grows!

:D

[CatQueen2007]

I'm 15 years old, but believe me living around here, you GOTTA know this stuff about cats. Mouse, my almost 5 months old female is still very much a kitten but still no signs of nipples or anything cant feel them on her tummy yet either. But like I said If one day they are bulging, you better get her checked, because if one day you can't see them and within a few days her nipples not only are visible but are bulging (and obviously she has gained weight) she is most definitely preg. and she could have them within the next few days (bulging nipples). Well I have to leave for a short while to check on my very seriously ill kitten Blackie. Look in this message board to find out more about Blackie's problems.....we fear another one has come down with whatever it is Blackie has :( :( :(

See Ya for now! PM me if ya want...:wavey: :wavey: :wavey:

[steph j]

I am bound and determined to get her fixed before I have to try to figure it out!

As soon as she turns old enough, she is scheduled :D

I love animals--but one kitty turns to 50 quick! And there are enough animals out there that need homes!

Thanks again. I hope your kitty will be okay, I'll go check it out!

:)