The story of a pregnant cat

Just thought I would make a thread to update regularly on my foster pregnant cat. (http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=211630)

So, Goupille is the name I chose for her (it's french and I just like the sound of it). It is probably just temporary since I will have to bring her back to the shelter when her babies are 8 weeks old (I think it's too young, so I will try to keep them longer before they are put to adoption).

She is doing fine and she eats more than when I first got her. Unfortunately, I am struggling to make her eat kitten food (I tried dry and wet food, but she wants nothing else than chicken).

I don't know how far along she is, but I will keep you posted on the progress of her pregnancy. For now, she has a round belly and I can see the little guys in there kicking and moving, so it shouldn't be much longer until the big day. She sleeps a lot, is very affectionnate and seems healthy although I find her too skinny. She is young and probably used to go oustide, wich might contribute to the small amount of fat on her body.

More tomorrow!
Marilou

Yeepee! She ate a lot of food today! And not any food: premium kitten food! Mission accomplished!
I am very happy and she seems to be doing really good.

That's great news that she's eating kitten food! I have a pregnant queen here too, she's just at 5 weeks now, but growing every day.

She eats like a pig, but then again, she's a Sphynx and they normally do eat alot. She isn't a fat kitty, she's got that athletic body. My other Sphynx girl is just like that too. It's so exciting to know kittens are on the way, isn't it? Nothing more exciting and fun than that.

Looking forward to pics. Movement starts at 7 weeks, so she is most likely going to have them by mid February...maybe you'll get Valentine's kittens

I know, it's so exciting! Valentine's kittens! I think she is due before, because I have seen movements during the whole week now, so kittens will probably arrive in a week!! I hope everything goes well with your queen, keep me posted! What is her name?
I have to put some pictures on of mine while she is still pregnant

My girl's name is Molly. The dad is Monty...Full Monty LOL.

They should make really beautiful babies, in a wide array of colors. I can't wait

I am sure they will be adorable!

Goupille is doing great, she seems happy and she eats a lot now. But, still no kittens in sight! She spent some time in the boxe that I made her where I would like her to deliver her babies, so I guess she likes it.

I am so excited to hear all about the babies when they are born! So glad that Goupille is doing well. As days go on I'm pretty sure that my "pregnant" foster isn't actually pregnant at all.

You have a pregnant foster that is not pregnant?
That is strange! Was the pregnancy confirmed by a vet? What do her nipples look like?
But still, no matter what, fostering is great, isn't it?! You give a second chance to a lovely companion and you can never know what will happen!

Anybody else expecting kittens here?
And also, anybody could tell me when I am supposed to see milk discharge coming out of the nipples? I still haven't seen any...

It depends on the cat really. Some will start lactating right before the birth, others not until right after, some a few days before.

With my current foster cat, I was told she was pregnant by a shelter attendant. I've fostered pregnant cats for them before. One of my previous fosters from them though I was told was a pregnant female and it turned out to be a MALE! The current one's nipples look normal to me, and she doesn't seem to have much of a belly, so I really don't think she is, but we'll see. Teyah, who you can see in my sig was my last pregnant foster who decided she liked it here and got to stay.

Aw, that is so funny! I guess the people at your shelter are so busy, who can blame them for making mistake?! Although a pregnant cat and a male cat aren't exactly alike!
Teyah looks gorgeous.
What will you do with your not pregnant cat, will you keep her until you find a home for her?
As for Goupille, she is still pregnant and I am still really excited (I slept only 3 hours last night because she looked like she was more active and I thought maybe she was going to go into labor soon!)

Originally Posted by Mawilouwl

Yeepee! She ate a lot of food today! And not any food: premium kitten food! Mission accomplished!
I am very happy and she seems to be doing really good.

Click to expand...

Great! So which premium kitten food did she finally eat?

Originally Posted by kluchetta

Great! So which premium kitten food did she finally eat?

Click to expand...

I was first able to tempt her with chicken mixed with Prescription Diet Development formula (wet food) and pouring a bit of catnip on top of it. She now eats dry food, Royal Canin for kitten and I don't need to add anything to temps her. Her nausea are gone though, so it helps a lot that she doesn't feel like throwing up when she smells the food!

Still waiting for the kittens! She is laying at my side now and she is adorable, I think I am in love. She has the most silent purr I have ever heard. I can barely feel the vibrations when she purrs, but she shows it so much with her face and body when she is happy and wants to be pet.
I hope the delivery will go well.

Originally Posted by Mawilouwl

Teyah looks gorgeous.

What will you do with your not pregnant cat, will you keep her until you find a home for her?

Click to expand...

Teyah says thank you!

As for Gumbi Jane, she is recovering from an URI, so once she is completely better I will do my best to find a forever home for her. If I am not able to, she will NOT go back to the shelter, but the shelter does some adoptions out of a local pet food store (more space, healthier) and I'll have her placed there for more exposure when a space becomes available.

Good, I hope she finds a nice home. I will try to find a home for every kittens and for Goupille before taking her back to the shelter. My goal is to have a home for all of them so that they stay at the shelter only for the time of the adoption procedure wich would be about 1 day at the vet for the vaccine and the spaying/neutering and then signing the paperwork. I will also try to keep them until they are 12 weeks old (they told me to bring them back at 8 weeks old! They would be so young :s ).

I tried to take pictures of Goupille, but there is not much natural light in the room so I had to use the flash, but I couldn't get a picture of her with her pretty green eyes open. I will try again today!

I have finally posted a few pictures of Goupille here: http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...98#post2818598

So, today is the big day!
So far, everything is doing quite good. I don't know if there are anymore kittens left to come, but she gave birth to 4 kittens in the last 3 hours. Unfortunately, one of the kittens (the third one) had a genetic disorder and was stillborn. His organs had grown outstide of his body and his spine was in a weird angle. It was a very sad moment. He was weighing only 74 grams, so I don't think he would have made it even without the genetic disorder. May he rest in peace.
The first kitten is a calico little girl. She arrived at 2:00pm and weights 122 grams. She seems strong and likes to vocalize! I had to cut her umbilical cord myself, I hope I did it right since it's my first time.
The second kitten came 10 minutes later. I am not sure, but I think it is a little boy. He is black with a bit of white on his nose and paws. He weights 113 grams. He seems healthy. I had to cut the cord again.
The third kitten came 30 minutes after #2. He was the stillborn. He was translucid. RIP little one. Then came a first placenta. (#1)
The fourth one was a suprise as he came an hour and 15 minutes later. I thought there were no more kittens left, because the mommy looked relaxed, so I put thre babies back with her, but then she had more contractions an hour later. I had to recut the cord because the mommy cut it too long. I am not sure of the sex of the kitten as I am not experienced enough. He (I will say he for the moment) is black and a big part of his face is white. He is the heavy one (128g) and likes to vocalize too. He came with another placenta. (#2)
A few minutes later another placenta arrived. (#3)
I am waiting for another placenta and maybe more kittens, who knows? She is nursing now and eveyone is very quiet as they are busy filling their little stomachs!
It is an awesome experience for me. I have never been this stressed in my life, but I didn't show it to reassure Goupille while she was in labor. She wouldn't deliver without me and tried following me when I went to prepare the heating pad!
I will keep you all posted.

HOW EXCITING!

I am so sorry to hear about the little one you lost though. I have been there myself and it is NOT easy. I also had to assist with cutting the cords with my first foster.

Glad to hear that Mom and babies are doing well and I'll check back often for updates! Especially where I found out for sure yesterday that Gumbi Jane is NOT pregnant. I'll live vicariously through you.

So, finally there were no more kitens left to come!
The remaining 3 look super healthy, they are eating plenty and gaining weight fast! I am posting pics of them in a few minutes in the "fur pictures and videos" forum under the "pregnant foster" thread. They are so cute!
The moomy is doing great, she is eating and drinking and using the litterbox. She is taking real good care of the kittens, it is great to see.
Kailie, I am sorry your foster isn't pregnant, but at the same time I guess it is better this way: less kittens having to find a good home it this world.
I will certainly keep you posted and put many pics on.
I am blessed for having the chance to see Goupille give birth. I will never forget these moments.

Congradulations, they're adorable! Fostering is truly amazing, I can't wait to get another momma cat myself! Give Mom a pat on the head for me- Her babies are adorable! And think of how much happier they'll be with you than in the cage of a shelter...

So, a little update on the family!
The babies and the mommy are doing great. I found names for baby #1 (the female calico) and #2 (tiny black and white). They are respectively Eva and Zack. I am still thinking for baby #4. He is the one with the perfect little face, he will be so handsome when he grows up!
They are now almost 3 days old and they are 173g (Eva, #1), 164g (Zack, #2) and 172g (#3). They all gained between 44g (#3) and 51g (#1 and #2) since their birth, wich is great. #3 gained a bit less, but at this time, since it's been less than 72 hours, the fact that his brother and sister were born 2 hours before him can make a difference. I am keeping a close eye on all of them, but they seem healthy and strong. They should be loosing their umbilical cords today.
Goupille seems to have recovered very well from the delivery. She seems relaxed and happy. She is a good mother, as she stays all the time with her babies. Sometimes she will come out when she misses me or my fiance for a little pet on the head and then she goes back with her babies. She also takes the time to eat, drink and use the litterbox. Other than that, she is nursing, sleeping or cleaning the kids! She is an angel. I tell her she will never have to go through pregnancy again and that I will make sure she stays with me until I find a real good family for her. She is so tiny now that she is not pregnant anymore. I definitely have to make her gain some weight. I don't know what she was fed before I took her in, but it must not have been much.
That's it for today!