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Question
Our barn cat is pregnant and coming close to when the kittens should be born and a male cat has just started to come around the barn so I was wondering if she could be giving off any scent that would be attracting him or are the two events not related at all?
Thank you,
Kacie
Hi Kacie. Any kind of discharge that she may be leaking could be attracting the male. If she’s starting to bleed due to labor, that could do it, but the delivery should have commenced within a day or two. But if she’s got any kind of uterine infection that’s causing a discharge, that could do it, too. You should examine your kitty to see if there’s any discharge, and if she is leaking any sort of liquid or pus, she should see a vet. Uterine infections can be fatal to her and her litter. An emergency spay and c-section should be performed.
It’s important that a safe place be provided for the kittens away from this new tomcat. Toms have been known to kill kittens. If it would be possible to move her into the house at all until her kittens are a little older, this would be ideal.
Good luck!
Jessica
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Answers by Expert:
Jessica
Expertise
The areas in which I have gained the most experience are cat health and feral cat management/rescue. I provide supportive care to chronically ill cats, hospice care to terminally ill cats and also am involved in trap-neuter-return efforts. My specialities lie in taming feral cats and in the allopathic treatment of cats with illnesses or special needs. I also have owned Siamese, Himalayans, Abyssinians, Russian Blues, Savannahs, Bengals, Peterbalds, Don Sphynx and Oriental Shorthairs and am well-versed in cat breeds as well as cat behavior and nutrition.
Experience
I have 15 years of extensive experience with cats ranging from breeding to medical care. My daily routine consists of caring for cats with diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney failure, feline leukemia, feline AIDS as well as feral cats. I have experience with liver patients, heart patients, feline infectious peritonitis, cancer, recovery from amputation and trauma, congenital deformities and most every disease in between. I have assisted cats giving birth and hand-nursed kittens who were neglected by their mother from 2 days old through weaning.
Education/Credentials
15 years' hands-on experience
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