how would you feel?

[GSDfan22]

Four weeks ago my husband brought home a stray cat that had been hanging around at has work for weeks. She is around seven months old. Today I left her into the vets to be spayed. When I picked her up I was told that she had been pregnant. She has only been indoors since she came here so it must have happened at least four weeks ago. I had no idea that she was pregnant. Now I feel so evil. I killed her babies. I feel really guilty. How would you feel in this situation?

[wildwood]

Very unfortunate but surely no reason to blame yourself. If they were at least 4 weeks, I would have thought the vet would have rung you because removing unborn kittens involves more work and attracts an extra fee.

Good on you for getting the cat fixed and giving it a good home. You've helped preventing the stray from producing more unwanted cats.

[Prudie]

I know you feel bad but I had exactly this when I took one of my own cats to be spayed at only 6 months. In my naivety I never thought she could be pregnant at that age but when I collected her from the vets I was told the same thing.

Only consolation is at that age they really are too young to have a litter without it putting a strain on their own health and development.

[supersuezy24]

Aww gsd you poor thing, Please don't feel bad you weren't to know, I know it's sad but you can give her loadsa love no and cuddles x

[welshlibranr]

Don't feel bad about it! you didn't know that she was pregnant, and probably better for her health that she doesn't have kittens so earlyu anyway! You are giving her a loving home...............there are lots of unwanted kttens out there........

[carmalee]

Very, very happy - go onto any rehoming websites and see the number of kittens/cats looking for homes - then take a moment to research the number of kittens produced by one unspeyed female and her encounter with an unneutered tom -it really is mind boggling -you've done good - take a pat on the back - wish there were more like you.
A (now)speyed kitty has a loving home and won't add to the number of unwanted felines in this country. -well done you and this is from one who has worked in animal welfare for many years.

[LoftyLottie]

You should feel very proud of yourself for taking in the kitty and giving her a loving home. At 7 months there is all probability that she wouldn't have even looked after the kittens properly. Don't think about it any more and enjoy your new pet. She's one very lucky young cat. So many of them are not so lucky! x

[Woody23]

Don't feel bad. Cats have no purpose on this earth anyway.

...and don't get me started on cat pouches!! :-(

[GSDfan22]

Thank you every one for making me feel a little better. She is far too young to have kittens. She is just a baby herself.

[poodicat]

Hi gsd,my cat who was either dumped at 5 weeks,or was feral kitten that just lost her mum,i took in,went to the vet,got her sorted as she was dehydrated and full of fleas,then i decided when she was old enough to get her spayed,as she was traumatised with what had happened to her,i have no regrets,she still likes to be indoors,and goes out not alot,and she still gets stressed when people that she doesnt know around,but what she gives in love especially to me has no bounds,think she was meant to be with me, i had to have my beloved dog put down,and did not want another pet,but i have had the boss for 10 years now,and hopefully god willing another ten years will follow...

[LoftyLottie]

What is your purpose of this earth Woody?

[GSDfan22]

I was also wondering what woodys purpose on earth was.

[AlBags]

As Prudie knows .. he's just a helmet.

[boxtops]

You've entirely done the right thing, you didn't know she was pregnant and probably nor did she - and as everyone says, there are loads of kittens always looking for homes. Well done you, for doing right by your little cat.

[Prudie]

^ Spot on sweetheartt!!

[Prudie]

Sorry boxy, that was aimed at AlBags (blushes!)

[boxtops]

It'll do for me as well <<smiles modestly>> :-)

[ttfn]

Don't beat yourself up over this GSDfan. I took in twin tabbies at 7 weeks old - brother and sister. They were ... erm, 'at it' before 6 months old - I was going to have them both neutered at about that time. Booked them in with the vet who found that the queen was blessed! They were taken care of in the same way as your cat. I just agree with carmalee. My two were unwanted by their then owner and I had rescued them from the white line in the middle of the road. Wouldn't want there to be any more like that. Hope you and your cat have a good life together

[Barmaid]

Initially I would probably feel guilty like you. But then I would read the helpful responses on this thread and absolutely know I had done the right thing. Having kittens at a young age could have endangered her or the kittens.

I wish you all the best with your new fur baby.

[stonekicker]

why on earth didn't the vet ring you and ask your opinion on getting her done? in your situation, you had no control over what happened to her and as such, feel bad (and rightly so - the vet sounds like a right git!). if it was my cat i would feel the same way, even though the decision was taken out of your hands completely. as others have said, she is now a loved, well fed and healthy cat - so is much better off now that she has you to love and care for her. but...i'd get a new vet that i could trust to involve me in the future care of my cat. it took me three different vets to get one that i trusted and felt treated me and my cat properly. it's a myth that cats need to have a litter of kittens ...what they need is a loving, caring owner...and it sounds like she has just that x

[GSDfan22]

I think the vet should have rang me but I don't know what I would have said if he had. It would have been a very difficult decision. If she had been opened and then stitched it might have harmed the kittens. I still feel guilty. I keep wondering what the little kittys would have been like. Phoebe doesn't seem too bothered about the whole thing. The only thing she is bothered by is the silly collar she has to wear to stop her picking at the stitches. Thanks for all the good advice.