My feral adoptee

Question
QUESTION: Jessica: Shortly after your last response regarding the pinkish liquid, I had a newborn in my hand while the mother cleaned it, what a thrill.Almost a mirror image of the mother. My question is,is it normal for the mother to have only one kitten as her belly is feeling, what seems to me normal.Our other female cat,(Approx.2 1/2 yrs.) which has not ever come into esterous, made her way into the basement this morning only to be rebuffed by a very protective mommy, sent scurrying with a couple of bruises I think.I mentioned we call her squeak as she doesn't meow,nor does she purr, although during play she is extremely gentle.
Len

ANSWER: Poor Squeak!  Feral cats are usually so accepting of other cats!  I had a stray once who was equally vicious toward my other cats while raising her litter.  Once she was spayed, I couldn't believe the difference it made in her personality.  It was almost as if she'd had a lobotomy!

The little one must be so cute!  Single litter kittens are uncommon, but not unheard of.  One of my Siamese carried only one baby.  Risks are higher of maternal neglect when only one kitten is born, because nature considers these litters "unproductive" - as long as mother nurses, she is unlikely to go back into estrus and is unable to conceive another litter.  In an unprotected environment, a single kitten is highly unlikely to survive its kittenhood.  Therefore, it makes more sense for the queen to abandon the kitten, go back into heat, and conceive with what would hopefully be a larger, more productive litter.  That said, my Siamese was as attentive a mother as any I'd ever seen, and it sounds like your girl is doing a great job.  Just keep a close eye to be sure she doesn't lose interest.

While chances are this may be her only kitten, it is more common that a cat is carrying more than one kitten and only delivers one at first for one reason or another.  This could be that the kitten was born prematurely or that the kitten was conceived earlier than the others (cats can become "pregnant again" with each mating at any time during their estrus).  It often indicates a problem with delivery.  Keep a close eye on her eating habits and activity level.  If she seems to be having contractions, her eating suffers, she becomes lethargic, develops a vaginal discharge with a foul odor or begins vomiting, these are sure signs she has a life-threatening situation that's likely related to unborn kittens.  Her survival will depend on getting her to a vet for an emergency spay.

Congratulations on the little one, and good job setting up mom with a safe haven!

Jessica



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: It appears the Mom may have been a discard from someone else as she's settled in quite quickly and now enjoys walking over my keyboard as I attempt use the keyboard and likes to headbutt for attention. The only cat I've ever seen walk on her hind legs to get attention.She's black with a white face and a white bib and hightop white socks, I almost wish I had a digital camera to forward you a photo of the two of them. She's extremely attentive to the baby and shows no objection to my handling it while she grooms and cleans it, almost as if offering it for attention.
I can't begin to thank you for all the help you've provided. In checking her belly it seems to have no other residents although I may not be pressing hard enough,don't want to hurt her.
Len

Answer
That's excellent - those babies that are handled from birth make the best pets.  They open their eyes sooner and leave their nests to seek human attention ealier, so take advantage of her trusting nature to handle and cuddle the little one!  I'm so glad everything is turning out well, and if you ever get your hands on a digital camera, please do forward me a photo!