Kitties first heat

[SotallyTober]

We adopted her in December off the streets. It was way too cold and she was way too skinny .. I couldn't help but save her. Anyhow, last night she was doing this weird cry thing all night long. She's about 6 months old. I'm guessing this is her first heat [this is our first kitten]. How long will this last and is there anything I can do to make it better for her? Also, how long shall I wait afterwards to get her 'fixed'? Thanks.

[LifeDrngWartime]

I had to read your post several times before I figured out you weren't talking about the temperature in your house.

Um, I don't know anything about this subject. Sorry! :D I would try calling a vet, and see what they say.

[Lynnbug]

It could be her first heat. I have a cat that didnt go into heat her first time until she was over a year old. Another cat I had went into heat at 7 months. They cry, and cry and CRY. They will also roll all over the floor and back their hiney up to most anything. My cat needs to be fixed but I havent had the money. I keep her inside all the time. The last time she went into heat she want to make with my dog.

But seriously they will cry and it is different from just meowing. It sounds like they are in pain almost. And their behaviour gets a little strange. As far as I know there is nothing you can do about it outside of getting her fixed. Which you can do right after she comes out of heat. I actually got my dog fixed within about a day of her coming INTO heat. She hadnt been exposed to a male dog and she wasnt that far into it yet. The doctor said it was fine and went ahead and did it. I didnt know you could do it.

[Tom]

My family had a cat back in the 60s. The vet advised us not to have her spayed because she had a partially collapsed lung and the operation would have been too risky. Every few months she came into heat, but she just purred a lot and rubbed against everything.

In 1997 I adopted a cat from the local shelter who came into heat just about the time I had made the appointment to have her spayed. She sort of threw herself at one of my neutered male cats, but didn't act too crazy really. The vet went ahead with the operation, and it was OK.

It might be a bit easier to spay when they're not in heat- I'm not sure- but it can be done. It's a good idea to keep her away from male cats in the meantime. Also, spaying will reduce the chance of certain cancers for her.

[goldfish]

Yep, that sounds like her first heat! I'd book her in for her spay in 1-2 weeks time, as the operation is slightly easier when they are not rampantly in season, but it's not as big a deal as it is in dogs :) She should be back to her normal self in a few days.
I'm sure you are anyway, but be extra careful about keeping her inside until she has been spayed, unless you want kittens!

[Fritemare]

You can get her fixed while she is in heat, but most vets charge more. I had a cat that I didn't know was in heat when I took her in to get her fixed, he tacked on an additional $10 because of it.

[sally429]

My cat is almost constantly in heat. She is also sick a lot so I haven't taken her to be fixed yet. It is horribly obnoxious, at least with mine. If you can you should get her fixed ASAP if you want to keep your sanity. Good Luck!

[Mrrple]

The last cat mom brought home went into heat at less than 5 months. It was ridiculous. She didn't yowl though, thank god. She just rubbed on stuff and tried to love up the other pets XD

[LovelyPerv]

I've seen cats that seem to stay in heat for months, and you finally just give up and take them to the vet anyways.

It's a bit more expensive to spay while they're in heat, and some vets won't do it at all. My vet explained that the surgery is more dangerous while they're in heat, because the tissues they'd be cutting around are all swollen with blood, and bleeding is a little more difficult to control.

I fostered cats from shelter for years, and here are my best tips for dealing with the yowling when you're trying to get to sleep:

1. Don't shush her during the day. Just let her get it out of her system as much as possible, and wear herself out.

2. If you've crawled into bed, and she cranks up to high volume, rub some peanut butter on her front legs. She can't clean herself and scream at the same time, and by the time she's finished, you've fallen asleep. Other things that work are a little vaseline, canned cat food, olive oil, maple syrup, or anything else you can get your hands on that she's willing to lick off.

WHAT DOESN'T WORK:

DO NOT yell back at her, she'll only scream louder.
DO NOT man-handle her in any way, and ESPECIALLY don't pick her up by the scruff of the neck, she'll only scream louder
DO NOT shut her up in another room, she'll only scream louder.

If all else fails, get a hotel room.

[Mrrple]

If all else fails, get a hotel room.

:lol:

[Lynnbug]

Thank you for all those tips!! I will definately be using the peanut butter one. My poor cat drives me and herself crazy when she goes in heat. I cant wait till I get the money to have her spayed.

[Teresa]

Some vets do not want to fix a cat who is in heat or they may just charge more. You may have to put up with her until it's done and then please get her fixed! I'm lucky non of my cats ever went into heat before I got them fixed.

[SotallyTober]

Thanks for the posts. It seems like she's a little better now. I just closed the door last night so I could sleep. I'm going to get her spade next month.

[Mrrple]

Oh, be VERY careful she doesn't get outside. Because she WILL attract a male, and WILL get pregnant and you'll be stuck with it. Or she could be killed!! I have to say this because I've heard it happen to so many people before who lost their female cats because they got outside while in heat.

Even if she doesn't usually try to escape, she may try now because the instinct to mate is so strong.

[Irizary]

Thank you for all those tips!! I will definately be using the peanut butter one. My poor cat drives me and herself crazy when she goes in heat. I cant wait till I get the money to have her spayed.

Some vets may put you on a payment plan, or if you call your local humane society, they may have or know of some programs to help you. Try calling around - I've seen specials for as little as $10 for low income people.

[Lynnbug]

Thanks!

[cheekywhiskers]

February is National Prevent a Litter Month, many humane and rescue organizations have rebates and specials right now. The shelter near me has certificates for the "Big Chill Cat Fix" for only $25, and they are regularly $40.

Cats are induced ovulators, meaning they need vaginal stimulation to ovulate. The more stimulation they recieve, the more eggs they release (no wonder their such hussies!!!) If they do not ovulate the heat subsides for a couple of weeks, then reoccurs. This cycle is about 3 weeks long and will continue all breeding season (which in some areas is all year long!!!) Cats and dogs can be spayed at any time in their cycle or even when already pregnant (often unknown or stay/ferals), there are just increased risks when in heat or pregnant.