Of Cats and Kittens.

[SeaCat]

Okay all you cat people out there. Here are a couple of questions.

The first is how old does a kitten have to be before she can get pregnant?

I have a kitten who is 8 months old and getting heavy. I have the feeling it is just that she is getting fat but,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

The second question deals with one of our older cats. Bubba is five years old now. This year we were over run with Fleas, he like the rest of the cats was covered. We got rid of the fleas but he keeps on scratching. Now he has a bald butt. (From the ribs to the end of his tail.) What can I use to ease his skin so he stops scratching and his hair can grow back?

Cat

 

[AngelofDarkLust]

Some of it may be stress from the new kitten. My older cat (he was 10 at the time) started loosing all his fur on his legs and stomach. Rounds and rounds of vet visits, blood tests out the wazoo, everything we can think of. Finally the vet assistant asked do you have any new pets... we just brought in a new kitten.

"Oh, he's just nuts then." Apparently stress of a new cat can cause an older cat to overgroom.

 

[MichelleLovesTo]

8 months is plenty old enough for a female to be pregnant -- if she were human, she'd be mature enough to be a Lit character. Seriously at 8 months she most likely has been in heat. So, while I hope you're right that she's just fat, you should be prepared.

As to the other cat, it sounds like a flea allergy. Are we sure they're all gone? Even so, the waste they leave behind might still be setting off a reaction. If that's not it then it sounds like the cat might need your vet to do a skin scrape. You might also want to consider a change of food, in case the cat is reacting to some sort of corn or wheat allergy.

 

[SeaCat]

Some of it may be stress from the new kitten. My older cat (he was 10 at the time) started loosing all his fur on his legs and stomach. Rounds and rounds of vet visits, blood tests out the wazoo, everything we can think of. Finally the vet assistant asked do you have any new pets... we just brought in a new kitten.

"Oh, he's just nuts then." Apparently stress of a new cat can cause an older cat to overgroom.

Well it can't really be stress to the new cats, they've been here for about eight months now. Although it may b a delayed reaction to that and the move.

Cat

 

[SeaCat]

8 months is plenty old enough for a female to be pregnant -- if she were human, she'd be mature enough to be a Lit character. Seriously at 8 months she most likely has been in heat. So, while I hope you're right that she's just fat, you should be prepared.

As to the other cat, it sounds like a flea allergy. Are we sure they're all gone? Even so, the waste they leave behind might still be setting off a reaction. If that's not it then it sounds like the cat might need your vet to do a skin scrape. You might also want to consider a change of food, in case the cat is reacting to some sort of corn or wheat allergy.

I'm hoping that she's just fat. Hasn't been in heat that I've noticed, and you think I would with this lot. (They're all talkers.) Two males in the group, one fixed and one not yet. (He gets his next month. He's also eight months old.)

Next step is to get the females fixed. Well I never did want a lot of money.

The only good thing is they are all indoor cats.

As for Bubba.
We change food almost every time we buy it. We get what's on sale. (With six cats you tend to do that.) The flas are gone from the house, and he is wearing a collar, (as are they all.) We have also bathed him several times in case it is fleas that are somehow resistant to the collars. No fleas have been seen on him in several weeks. I'm thinking he is itching because he is healing, he had opened up several spots in his hide with his itching. We now have a liquid that is supposed to sooth his skin and are putting it on him every other day as recomended. If this doesn't help then we'll have to visit the vets.

Cat

 

[MichelleLovesTo]

Hmmm. See if you can't get some Frontline. It's some liquid you put between the shoulder blades -- the cat's shoulder blades, not yours -- and if there's even rumors of a flea on that cat, the Frontline will do it's thing. There is nothing more effective, and in this case it's best to get the actual stuff, and not a knock-off.

That's a just in case.

With the changing of the food, it'll be hard to figure out if it's an allergy, but if you take him to the vet, that's probably one of the things they'll pursue.

There's a chance that you're right, and it's just part of the healing process.

 

[Weird Harold]

The flas are gone from the house, and he is wearing a collar, (as are they all.) We have also bathed him several times in case it is fleas that are somehow resistant to the collars. No fleas have been seen on him in several weeks.

Take his flea-collar off and see if his symptoms clear up -- he might be allergic to the flea-collar. (PS: The collar seems to be the one new factor in his life at the moment. remove under the principle of "undoing the last maitenance" when a new problem crops up.)

If it's not the collar, I'd try a hydrocortizone cream or lotion or a "sunburn" spray like Solarcaine to desensitize his skin so he won't scratch so much.

 

[3113]

Weird Harold's got the right of it. I have a cat that's allergic to all kinds of things, so you can trust me. If your cat hasn't got fleas, than he's having an allergic reaction. You may need to take him to the vet for an allergy shot (sic).

I believe it's just some form of hydrocortizone that they inject (i.e., if you want to look it up yourself and see if you can inject the cat yourself). But it works wonders. My poor cat, when she's in that state, not only scratches a lot but loses fur on her belly and butt. It's very sad. But once she has the shot, she eats better, doesn't scratch and gets her fur back.

Another clue that the cat may be allergic is if it's ears are hot and red.

Try also giving him a higher protein diet. That's also suppose to help. Um, and yeah, your 8 month old kitten might be preggers.

 

[Stella_Omega]

A tip about Frontline- it's usually cheaper if you buy the biggest dog size you can get.
use a measured syringe to draw out the amount you need per cat, and to squirt it against his neck. (NO SHARP NEEDLES!)

Check with your local shelter about spay/neuter vouchers for pet cats

 

[bronzeage]

Many years ago, the woman I was married to a the time brought a female kitten home to be an indoor cat. She did not think to have her spayed, because after all, she would be indoors for the rest of her life. When the kitten was about 8 monthes old, she was lying by my feet, when my wife looked at her and said, "Doesn't she look swollen. Do you think she could be sick?"
I picked her up and felt six distinct little lumps in her belly. She had gotten out the door once or twice, and we could not remember a time she had been outside more than for a few minutes.

It happens.

 

[kendo1]

A plastic collar(you know the funnel type?) to stop Bubba from grooming may help.
It'll give the fur a chance to grow back. Worked for our cat Harry.

 

[rachlou]

If you have two kittens that are approx 8 months old and neither have been spayed/neutered - yes it is highly likely the female is pregnant!! Nature always finds a way...
Re: Frontline - yes it works a treat. Can be pricey, particularly if bought from a Vet - some Vets have alternative products that are just as effective but cheaper. Its worth asking next time you go. I have used one called Advantage - that was effective too.

 

[Lady_Kit]

Buba could be suffering from dry skin or the afore mentioned allergies. We had a cat with both problems. Our solution was a steriod injection once or twice a year to deal with major itching flare-ups, monthly allergy shots, and daily doses of an oil suppliment that makes their coats shiny and their skin less dry.

I'm at the office now, but if you're interested Cat, I'll send you the information off the suppliment bottle this evening. You can use either a liquid or a big capsule to administer the oil, I'd recommend the cap, unless you want your own person to be shiny and conditioned too.

And yes, 8 months is plenty old enough. Better ask Santa for some extra litter and kibble for Christmas.

 

[3113]

If you have two kittens that are approx 8 months old and neither have been spayed/neutered - yes it is highly likely the female is pregnant!!

Ah, an incest story!

 

[SeaCat]

Okay,

Bubba will be visiting a Vet soon, as will Magi.

The female is still fat. I can't feel any distinctive lumps in her belly, she's just big in the belly. However if she does litter they will all, unfortunately be still born. (Yes I am cold enough to do this even though it will be an unhappy duty on my part.)

The rest of the cats are doing quite well. No Fleas to be found, and all are slim and sleek. (Scrapper does like her food. She eats as much as Bubba, who is three times her size.)

Cat

 

[rachlou]

Ah, an incest story!

Eugh! Cats are never fussy tho - any ol cat lover will do, never mind if it's a sibling/mother/father...

 

[glynndah]

Eugh! Cats are never fussy tho - any ol cat lover will do, never mind if it's a sibling/mother/father...

Cats are too fussy. Its lover will be a mother or a father, but not both. They're not into gay or lesbian sex, except as spectators.