Is my 5.5 month old on heat?

[fluttershyby]

Hi,
First time cat owner here.
Our kitten has been a delight at night once settled in, slept through the night with the occasional toilet break. However the last few days as soon as it gets dark she's meowing really loudly and pacing. This goes on through the night with a few breaks when she falls asleep for an hour or so. We're all exhausted with not sleeping as she's so loud.
I've googled and it suggest she could be on heat because of the howling, I can't see her genitals being swollen but her nipples have become more prominent. She's due to be spayed next month as vet is fully booked until then. Is there anything I can do to help her so we can all have a goodnight sleep again? Could it be something else? She's a very friendly and relaxed cat so don't think it's stress.

Yes almost certainly. She should have been spayed at four months. Get her done somewhere else if your vet is full.

And make absolutely and completely sure she can't escape.

Yes that too with (Christmas) bells on.

When we had our two tiny torties the rule was always one door shut between them and the outside. They will streak out an open door ASAP.
Safely spayed now!

My boys were neutered at 4 months. My vet wouldn't do it until 6 months so i went to one who would do it at 4 months

Thanks, she's been sleeping most of the day. She's certainly not going out! We do have a tom cat who sun bathes in our garden.
My vet only spays at 6months too, I'm a bit stuck with them now as paid for a kitten pack which included spaying. Wouldn't have thought she'd come into heat so early. When I googled it should be in spring or autumn.

With artificial heat indoors they come in heat whenever. Is she sticking her bum in the air treading her back feet and have her tail to the side like a door handle? If it's a first call and at that age I suspect it will be short and should be out of it in a few days. Shut her in one room at night.

They normally give birth twice a year - from late Feb to late May and again from July to October. So they come into heat around 9 weeks before that - so that's about right.

And they can get pregnant at four months, which is why spaying is recommended at four months. It is British Veterinary Association advice. I'd be tempted to kick up a fuss. Ask them why they're not following veterinary guidelines. Say your kitten (and you) is suffering because of it. Demand either an appointment this week or a refund. More people should make a fuss about this - it might make vets come into line with current protocols.

BVA info At the end of that is a link to the register of vets that neuter at four months and details of the campaign to persuade more vets to sign up to it.