Can cat's have litters over 3 weeks apart?

[Nevadamoon]

I have a cat who about 3 weeks ago gave birth to one kitten. I checked her stomach afterwards, and it was soft and just as it was before pregnancy. There were no foul discharges, or any fever or any signs of any kittens stuck inside.

Well, in the past few weeks, I found she's been gaining weight. She hasn't been around male cats since she gave birth. She's been eating the same amount of food, a bit more than normal. She is barely lactating, so I've been bottlefeeding the kitten.

At first I thought maybe she was just putting on weight, but her belly isn't soft or mushy, it feels like the belly of a pregnant cat. I've heard of cats being able to have kittens days apart, but I wasn't sure if it was possible that she could be pregnant and going to give birth again so soon, especially with being isolated as she has been.

She's in great health, and so do to financial reasons I can't afford a vet visit for a few weeks yet. I was planning on calling in the morning to find out if it was possible, but was referred to this site as possibly being able to answer if it was possible.

 

[wehkah]

I was once told that cats come into heat every 10 days. So for her to just have given birth it is quite possible that she could be pregnant again. I have a friend that has a cat in a similar situation. To avoid anymore unwanted kittens I would suggest you take her in and have her spayed. If you can't afford it many of shelters make the surgery pretty affordable. They would rather not see another unwanted animal at their doorstep. They can also do the surgery even if she is pregnant. The kittens would be aborted during the surgery. Not an easy answer to hear I know but it is probably the best decision.

 

[Nevadamoon]

I was once told that cats come into heat every 10 days. So for her to just have given birth it is quite possible that she could be pregnant again. I have a friend that has a cat in a similar situation. To avoid anymore unwanted kittens I would suggest you take her in and have her spayed. If you can't afford it many of shelters make the surgery pretty affordable. They would rather not see another unwanted animal at their doorstep. They can also do the surgery even if she is pregnant. The kittens would be aborted during the surgery. Not an easy answer to hear I know but it is probably the best decision.

She hasn't been around any males except for before she gave birth, she's been isolated from them.

She was too small to be spayed originally as my vet won't do it until the animal is over 3 pounds, and she's right on the border of that. The male cats have appointments to be neutered this month.

I was under the impression that you couldn't spay a cat if she was still nursing a kitten. As well as wouldn't that make her completely reject the baby she already has? :/

 

[Julie]

If she hasn't been around a male, then she isn't pregnant. I would be more worried about an infection or something being retained from her last pregnancy.

 

[ChrissyR]

Females can get pregnant right after they give birth, oddly enough. But, since she hasn't been with a tom after birth, she's not pregnant. Without a tom, it's not possible. I would, however, get her into a vet as soon as you can just to be safe. She could just be putting on weight now that she had the kitten. I've had skinny females who porked up after birth. It's to replace the extra nutrients she used for the kitten. But, yea, get her in soon just to be safe.

 

[vanillasugar]

I would be more worried about an infection or something being retained from her last pregnancy.

Definatley... my concern as well. A vet visit is in order ASAP, see if you can borrow the money or put it on credit. It's important and cannot wait.