Hello Maine Coon lovers,

I need some good advice about breeding with a dame who has had a C sectomy( really don't know if I'm spelling that right, please forgive me; I come from Holland, so my English is propably as poor as your Dutch is?!) Well, 6 weeks ago my cat needed a C sectomy, the reason for this procedure was: in the fifth week of her pregnancy she got an infection, and because of that she needed to get antibiotics, she was also dehydrated within hours. As soon as she got the medicine her health was going the right way, but the vet warned us: there was a big chance thet the litter would not survive, it was her first. Anyway at the day of birth she had contractions but she did not have the strength to deliver on her own. When the vet opened her up the reason was clear; there were 4 dead kittens in her uterus and they were "blocking the way" there was (in the back) 1 kitten still alive, but he was covered in pus, you could smell that from a mile away... Fortunately he survived, and ofcourse we are keeping him. But can you please tell me something about breeding with his mother; I would very much like to have another litter of her in a while, I have read in an article that it might be best not to wait too long, so you would have a smaller chance on getting scar tissue, which would increase the chances of getting a C sectomy as well next time. Do you know of such thing, maybe out of own experience???? Can you please mail me your reactions at:ej.beerepoot@quicknet.nl To be clear; the cat's body was ,according to the vet, perfect; not too narrow or so. So, can one of you readers/breeders please give me advice about the time best to wait for a new litter? THANK YOU!!! By the way I love your site, I think you propably have the best Maine Coons. Maybe, in the future I can come and see, buy, and fly. You never know.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2001

Answers

You definitely don't want to breed a son to a mother...that's a bad move genetically, and ethically. Given the problems the female has had, it would be best to retire her from breeding. Personally, I feel there are too many unwanted cats in the world...and breeding cats is best left to professionals if it's to be done at all.

-- Anonymous, February 12, 2001