Expert: W - 5/5/2008

Question
QUESTION: omg ive just caught my tom cat mating with one of my other cats and shes onli 5 months old what should i do, as you know my bengals expecting but thats not a problem as shes 18 months old but im worried about the 5 month old please help

ANSWER: Hi Gail
There is not a lot you can do if it has actually happened and he has impregnated the girl. You can only separate him from any other girl. If he was unsuccessful in the mating then you will know in about 21 days.
Should you wish to terminate this pregnancy then a trip down to the vets will be in order I'm afraid
If you find it impossible to separate him from the girls then buy some feline nappies for him ad have him wear them whilst in the house unsupervised. He can go to the toilet but he cannot have his dastardly way with the ladies

I hope this helps

Ray

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thank you sorry to be a bother, i have seperated him from the other girls now for the time being, but what are the risks to my cats if she has them so young

Answer
Hi Gail

It is possible for her to go full term and deliver healthy kittens, but and this is a big but, she may experience immature internal injuries caused by carrying a litter at a young age. She could perhaps abort some of the litter as she may not have a large enough womb to support a normal litter size.

So there are risks but these could be mitigated by her age and health
It really is difficult to be accurate about the risks, if you want to be sure then I think examine her at 21 days and see if she is pregnant. If she is then a visit to the vets to discuss your options with him/her.

I hope this helps

Ray