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- Feb 14, 2003
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Hi. I just found this site, and I also just came up with a problem that I am looking for some help with. Sorry if it gets long. Most of it is background information. Questions about behavior.
I am a long-time cat owner. Cassie is a small 6 yr old Calico, who I rescued (from a highway) when she was a kitten. At the time I had two 10 yr old males who were fixed so I never had her spayed. She never had "extreme" heats, I think because she did have "mates" and they all got along. They both died in 2002 (April, September), and while I thought about letting her have a litter, I decided not to risk her or contribute to the animal population. I brought home a 4 month old Kitten, named Guy. After a few weeks they bonded, and after a few months they started to mate as I was arranging to fix them. When I brought her for a pre-spay checkup they didn't feel she was pregnant, but the next week when I brought her for spay they said they thought she was, not that far along, but couldn't tell me how many, and encouraged me to have her fixed if I couldn't keep all her kittens. Well she had ONE fetus (and I could and would have kept one) but they removed it, said it was the size of a peanut. So, Any idea how far along that might be? I now think she may have had a nesting place.
My real concern is this (there's a lot of complicated stuff here): It's only been 4 days, but she is much more vocal and clingy since coming home. She stayed over night, but Guy came home. She meows (muted, not crying, but sort of calling, a few trills) for attention, and comes to my lap, rubs me, then goes to Guy and cuddels with him, then back to me. Is she mourning? Calling? Experiencing hormones, or loss of hers and his? I think she may also be distressed about the hierarchy...he was here when she came home, or she is no longer a queen? She used to let him sit in my lap but now she comes over and meows loudly when he gets in, as if to say I belong to her, and he belongs to her too. She doesn't attack him but meows him away, then gets in my lap for abit, but she is restless. When I'm in bed she has taken to getting on my chest with him, which is something that he has been doing for the last 3 months. And when he lays on top of the bookcase she meows looking up, upset, then goes up and cuddels with me, then him. They have spent a lot of time cuddling together this week. But I think the surgery was traumatic for her, and she always gets nervous around people which is also traumatic for her. So she needs reassurance, which I am giving her.
I've heard they get more affectionate after being spayed. But this seems like distress, but not physical distress. The vet said to give it some time. Any ideas on what she's going through and how much time I should give her, and how I can help? Thanks.
Hope to have a photo up soon.
I am a long-time cat owner. Cassie is a small 6 yr old Calico, who I rescued (from a highway) when she was a kitten. At the time I had two 10 yr old males who were fixed so I never had her spayed. She never had "extreme" heats, I think because she did have "mates" and they all got along. They both died in 2002 (April, September), and while I thought about letting her have a litter, I decided not to risk her or contribute to the animal population. I brought home a 4 month old Kitten, named Guy. After a few weeks they bonded, and after a few months they started to mate as I was arranging to fix them. When I brought her for a pre-spay checkup they didn't feel she was pregnant, but the next week when I brought her for spay they said they thought she was, not that far along, but couldn't tell me how many, and encouraged me to have her fixed if I couldn't keep all her kittens. Well she had ONE fetus (and I could and would have kept one) but they removed it, said it was the size of a peanut. So, Any idea how far along that might be? I now think she may have had a nesting place.
My real concern is this (there's a lot of complicated stuff here): It's only been 4 days, but she is much more vocal and clingy since coming home. She stayed over night, but Guy came home. She meows (muted, not crying, but sort of calling, a few trills) for attention, and comes to my lap, rubs me, then goes to Guy and cuddels with him, then back to me. Is she mourning? Calling? Experiencing hormones, or loss of hers and his? I think she may also be distressed about the hierarchy...he was here when she came home, or she is no longer a queen? She used to let him sit in my lap but now she comes over and meows loudly when he gets in, as if to say I belong to her, and he belongs to her too. She doesn't attack him but meows him away, then gets in my lap for abit, but she is restless. When I'm in bed she has taken to getting on my chest with him, which is something that he has been doing for the last 3 months. And when he lays on top of the bookcase she meows looking up, upset, then goes up and cuddels with me, then him. They have spent a lot of time cuddling together this week. But I think the surgery was traumatic for her, and she always gets nervous around people which is also traumatic for her. So she needs reassurance, which I am giving her.
I've heard they get more affectionate after being spayed. But this seems like distress, but not physical distress. The vet said to give it some time. Any ideas on what she's going through and how much time I should give her, and how I can help? Thanks.
Hope to have a photo up soon.