Is my foster kitten in season ?

mc55 · 11-12-2010, 16:09

Feargal, our little foster kitten, has been yowling since 7am this morning (it was so bad I had to shut her in the kitchen and then shut the bedroom door so I could have another couple of hours sleep

)

Its hard to tell if she is in pain, as we can't really pick her up yet, but she has also spent lots of the day rolling around showing her belly and has been purring when I've stroked her.

She has just been for a poop (admittedly slightly looser than usual) so isn't consitpated and is eating, drinking and playing / following the other cats around.

Might she be in season ? She's not been done yet - that's going to be a fun day at the vets

She is around 20 weeks old we think - I have no idea when female cats come into season, could this be about right ? How long will it last and should I be doing anything ?

Our boys are all neutered, although the youngest one does like to grab her by the neck sometimes, which I presume is a mating move (quick squirt of water sorts him out

) and she is not allowed out.

purple.sarah · 11-12-2010, 16:22

Not sure about the age but the behaviour definitely sounds like she's in season, yowling lots but acting affectionate, purring and showing her belly.

It's good that your boys are done and she's not allowed out.

medusa · 11-12-2010, 17:00

It does sound like she may be in season. Is she presenting when she lies down? That's one of the clearest signs.

mc55 · 11-12-2010, 17:09

well she always seems to be wafting her bottom around, so I can't see a huge difference, but she is lying slightly differently. Little madam is now grooming on the chair.

How long are they in season for ? a week ? I'll have to get ear plugs !

medusa · 11-12-2010, 17:27

One way to test whether they're in season is to give her a stroke and then to put your hand and a little of the weight of your arm onto her back as you stroke or scratch along her back (assuming you can interact with her that much, of course). If her front end goes down and her back end presents then that's a very strong sign that she's in season.

Seasons last for 3-4 days approximately every 3 weeks, but she can go into season on demand if she meets an entire tom who she likes the look of, so if you have any entire feral toms near your house then she could smell them as much as they can smell her.

She needs to be going for spaying pretty pronto really- she's coming up to the right age for her seasons to start, so it's going to need doing in the short term. I thought that Magsie was planning for them to be neutered before Christmas anyway, so not long to put up with it

She's coming to see Fuzzy to sort it all out next weekend.

mc55 · 11-12-2010, 17:29

thanks Medusa - I've suggested to Magsie that we have her speyed before Christmas so that we can work on rebuilding her trust as I'll be on hoiday for a couple of weeks - I'm sure the vet trip is going to be very traumatic !

Rainrescue · 11-12-2010, 17:46

Eeeek - I know that the others are about ready to be going to the vets for the snip - so Feargel should be ready now too then.
Make a note of the day you think she started - then let Magsie know - and she will tell you when the best time is to get her spayed.
Who is your local vets?

mc55 · 11-12-2010, 20:06

hi Rain, our vets are Vets 4 Pets (Millhouses?), but I think Magsie said she will need to go to Dore & Totley.

She started yowling this morning

magsie · 12-12-2010, 08:33

I've emailed you. I personally use Dore and Totley because they have been first class with all the ferals I've trapped and show particular care for ferals. Please get in touch with me by email, MC.

Rainrescue · 12-12-2010, 09:58

Ok - I will leave it to you and Magsie to sort. I think its just that we use D&T a lot and so can manage them. They are always really helpful with us and let us keep the cats in overnight if need be. Crookes and Broomhill though have also been very helpful too.
Ok over to you and Magsie and lets get that little girl sorted

mc55 · 12-12-2010, 11:01

OMG she has growled, hissed, yowled and chirruped ALL NIGHT

I keep thinking she is being attacked by our other cats there is so much racket, but no, it's just Feargal writhing her way across the floor. I hope it stops soon ! Am thinking of giving her some drugs to make her sleep

(**joke**)

Binga · 12-12-2010, 22:45

The best way to test for a true `call` is to pat her backend. If she starts to pedal her hind legs and drop closer to the ground then she is calling......however 20 weeks is on the young side especially at this time of year.