6 or 7 month indoor kitten in first heat

Question
Hi Kelly,

A couple of months ago, we found a kitty outside.  After searching for her owners (she had a collar and no tag), we decided to adopt her.  She was not spayed and after doing a lot of research, decided to wait until she had her first heat and then have her spayed.
Also, just over a week ago, we adopted two 4 month rescues (a brother and sister).

Four days ago, she went into heat - how will we know when is the right time to take her in or when her heat is at a rest?  She is also much more lethargic than usual - normally she is a VERY energetic, curious and active cat.  Also, since she started her heat, she is barely eating and has now started "chomping", moving her mouth up and down, and she does this a lot now.  She seems disinterested in food.  Could she have caught something from the kittens?  They were ill when they arrived here (diarrhea and lethargy) but they are doing much better.  We are worried she is ill, as she is not acting herself at all.  I am hoping this is just a symptom of her heat but am terribly worried.  Please advise - all the vets I have spoken to have assured me we could bring her in any day to get her spayed, that there might just be some inflammation to the uterus.  If it is better to wait, I will wait.  I am so confused, everyone is saying something different!

Confused and worried,
Rocio

Answer
Hello Rocia,

The only 'medical' reason for not spaying her until her season is over is that when a cat is in season the blood vessels around her uterus etc become more blood engorged, this means that she is more at risk of excessive bleeding during the operation, so for that reason it is sometimes better to wait until her season is over. Although this does pose more of a risk in bitches and less of a risk in cats. As for waiting until a cat has had her first season, I have never believed there to be any pro, medical or behavioural, to this.

You will know when her season has ended because behavioural displays and signs such as, lordosis, calling and other vocalisations and a change in eating habits will calm down or cease altogether. As for the 'chomping', I am at a loss, because this is not a behavioural display due to being in season that I have ever come across before.

Because we do not know her exact age, she may be under six months old, so this may be due to her having trouble with her new teeth erupting, or another problem with her mouth.

To be honest, I would take her to the vets and get her spayed, at the same time they can give her a health check to make sure nothing medical is wrong with her. This way, if she is ill then she can be treated sooner rather than later, and it will put your mind at rest. I have nursed in theatre many cat spays when they are in season and it has never caused a problem. Although this of course has to be your decision, as there is, and always will be risk to an animal during any procedure, in season or not.

I hope this has helped you a little

Thank you

Kelly