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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To adopt a stray cat halfway through a pregnancy??

118 replies

ethelfleda · 30/06/2017 19:42

A couple of weeks back a stray cat wondered in to our garden. She was skinny and covered in fleas and looking very sorry for herself. For a week I fed her twice a day but wouldn't let her in to the house and always thoroughly washed my hands after petting her (paranoid about catching something whilst 20 weeks pregnant!) I tried to find her owner but failed.

So I took her to the vets to see if she was microchipped. They told.me she wasn't and was about 2 weeks from having kittens Shock

So I brought her flea drops etc and brought her home to put her in the garden. I had become very attached to her... I love animals anyway but she has such a lovely nature and I had fallen in love with her!!
But as she was about to have kittens and the only safe place for her to have them would be in the house, I decided that it wasn't a good idea for us (again, due to possible toxoplasmosis risk etc not just from her but from her kittens) to keep her and took her to the cats protection league.

I had been keeping in touch with the woman who is fostering her and apparently it turns out she isn't pregnant after all (vet checked)! So they are making sure she is chipped and neutered and will send her to a rehoming centre. The vet said she is about 5 years old apparently. So after that rather long (And hopefully not boring!) Story, WIBU to bring her back?? She had become very attached to me and DH... plus we already have a cat flap (was there when we moved in) and I am fully aware that it would be for life and how long cats live for... plus any litter tray use would be sorted out by DH while I am pregnant (he has become very attached to her also)
I hate the thought of her being stuck in a rehoming centre and possibly not being rehomed and I know we would be able to give her a loving home here... would I be taking too much on?? I have no other pets or children.

OP posts:
ethelfleda · 12/07/2017 12:44

Settling in really well thank you Dances she loves our company it seems! Eating well and loves being brushed. She was lying across my bump last night purring her little head off! We are both smitten with her and are in really danger of letting her rule the roost Smile

OP posts:
SpringySprung · 12/07/2017 13:15

This is so lovely OP! love babs she's a cool cat !

DudeHatesHisCarryOut · 12/07/2017 14:14

I think you'll find she does, already, rule the roost!

Here's to many years of your enslavement!

ethelfleda · 21/10/2017 19:16

So our little Babs was thriving and doing so well up until a couple of weeks ago. She became more and more disoriented and even started hiding again. Getting sick a few times a week and generally not herself. I took her to the vets and it turns out our poor beautiful girl is going blind 😢 she could also have some kind of virus (they are testing her blood) as she is very dehydrated. She still had a skin condition that they have given her an antibiotic injection for (last vet didn't pick up on it) and I am heartbroken that she must have been suffering so much!!
She seems much brighter today but I keep noticing her struggling with things because she can't see properly. She doesnt like to go outside anymore (as she probably doesnt feel safe)
The latest lot of results should be back Monday so we can see what treatment she needs.

I'm not even totally sure why I am posting this update - just feel so upset for her but also really glad she is somewhere she feels safe. She really is the most affectionate and loving cat.

OP posts:
TheRealGussieFinkNottle · 21/10/2017 19:18

I'm so sorry ethelfleda :( Flowers

Crunchymum · 21/10/2017 19:20

Sorry to hear your update but she is lucky to have found you and your DH.

She'll be fine as she has loving owners!!! Wishing her well.

Crunchymum · 21/10/2017 19:22

You must be quite pregnant now OP?

(I was 20w in Mid June and has an edd of 5th November!)

ethelfleda · 21/10/2017 19:25

Thank you both.

crunchy Yes, I am 37 weeks tomorrow! How are you getting on?

OP posts:
ToadTheVampireThreadKiller · 21/10/2017 19:39

Poor little cat, has the vet checked her blood pressure, it can cause blindness?

ethelfleda · 21/10/2017 19:49

Toad she said she would do that after the latest set of results came back. I did read that on Google actually... And while they can treat it I don't think her sight will return back to normal? It just won't get worse?

OP posts:
flutterby12 · 21/10/2017 20:05

I've just read this lovely thread. I hope she's ok, she sounds lovely Flowers

Crunchymum · 21/10/2017 20:16

Sorry my November edd was my first baby, he is 5 in a few weeks.... just did a rough calculation based on my dates with him although I'm 25w with DC3 and yes we have a cat too, cat predated the kids mind

Let us know how wee kitty gets on, and make sure you rest Grin

Nefer795 · 21/10/2017 20:23

My mad cat lady friend had a cat which had been so badly shaken as a kitten it was totally blind. Lived a full, happy and very loved life. She didn't let it bother her, found her way around the places she needed and loved a good cuddle. I still miss seeing her when I visit. Cats can and do adapt.

ItsOutThere · 21/10/2017 20:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ethelfleda · 21/10/2017 20:55

Thank you all Smile

Nefer that is encouraging to hear. I did read that cats can adapt quite well. We've already talked about making her a run/enclosing the garden so she can still sunbathe in the summer (the vet said it would be safer to keep her indoors if she does lose all of her sight)

OP posts:
BulletFox · 21/10/2017 21:00

Awwww OP that is so sweet that you fell in love with each other. I'm sorry she's been suffering

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 21/10/2017 21:07

My friend's cat is completely blind and manages fine. She'd bought a new litter tray and left it on her bed while she sorted it out and he found it and used it!

She's had a catio built for him so he can go out and potter around outside. He's adapted very well and seems quite happy.

justbinthefeckinbyebyebox · 28/10/2017 11:23

ethelfleda, hope that you are all coping, cat, pregnancy everything really x.
Flowers

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