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Pregnant Cat

post #1 of 29
2/16/11 at 9:17pm
Thread Starter 
Hi, I'm new to the forum. The reason for my visit is because my cat got pregnant. I was wondering if you have any tips or suggestions. I have been reading around and from my research. I should make a nesting box. Filled with newspaper is better. I am guessing she is 3-5 weeks in? She looks a little bigger, You can feel her nipples are getting bigger. I am kind of worried because this is my first cat pregnancy and I do not know what to do. She will be indoors from now on... After giving birth I plan to spay. Any tips please. Do I need to buy anything... What should I expect, what is the process. How does this go down. Thanks!
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post #2 of 29
2/16/11 at 11:42pm
When was she in heat? When did she get out? How old is she?

If she's still only 3-5 weeks in, it's not too late to have a spay/abort done (cats are pregnant for 9 weeks, so she's barely halfway). It's very difficult to place kittens in GOOD homes, and that may be the best option for everyone, especially if she's under a year old (higher chance of her needing a c-section $$$). It's kinder to the kittens to end it now rather than have them end up killed in a shelter because they weren't wanted.

If you want to go through with the pregnancy, start feeding her kitten food now, so she'll have enough nutrition built up to be able to feed the kittens. Contact your vet to ask about any prenatal care she should be getting. Having an emergency kitten feeding kit around would be a good idea, just in case. And keep the emergency vet's number handy. And the funds in case a c-section is needed, or some other emergency arises.
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post #3 of 29
2/16/11 at 11:47pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Willowy View Post
When was she in heat? When did she get out? How old is she?

If she's still only 3-5 weeks in, it's not too late to have a spay/abort done (cats are pregnant for 9 weeks, so she's barely halfway). It's very difficult to place kittens in GOOD homes, and that may be the best option for everyone, especially if she's under a year old (higher chance of her needing a c-section $$$). It's kinder to the kittens to end it now rather than have them end up killed in a shelter because they weren't wanted.

If you want to go through with the pregnancy, start feeding her kitten food now, so she'll have enough nutrition built up to be able to feed the kittens. Contact your vet to ask about any prenatal care she should be getting. Having an emergency kitten feeding kit around would be a good idea, just in case. And keep the emergency vet's number handy. And the funds in case a c-section is needed, or some other emergency arises.
She is 1 YR 2 MO old. She got out a couple of weeks ago.. I'm not sure when she was in heat.. There is a male black cat that we think is to blame. I think she was taken advantage of...

What is the average litter size?
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post #4 of 29
2/17/11 at 6:25am
There's a lot of excellent information in this thread:

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74659
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post #5 of 29
2/17/11 at 7:45am
A cat in heat could never be taken advantage of, their whole goal is to mate during that time. If you don't want the hassle of raising or finding homes for a full litter of kittens, then get her in for a spay ASAP
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post #6 of 29
2/17/11 at 10:45am
The average litter size is 4-5. That's just an average, though--I knew a cat who had 7 kittens with her first litter.

If she only got out 2 weeks ago, she can't be any farther along than that. I'd get her in ASAP to be spayed.

And don't blame the tomcat! Female cats in heat will do anything to get to a tom. Cats do what instinct dictates, it's up to us humans to control that kind of thing. Blame his owners for not having him neutered, blame yourself for not having her spayed. If you don't want a cat to get pregnant, she needs to be spayed before she goes into heat (usually around 4-6 months of age), or you need to be very careful that she doesn't get outside.
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post #7 of 29
2/17/11 at 12:31pm
Cats are pregnant for 63-68 days (about 9 weeks). You don't need to prepare a kittening box till about 3 weeks before due. I suggest you do this - put newspapers inside a pillowcase for the birth. Then when the kittens are all born, have another pillowcase with a towel in it to switch. The pillowcase works better as claws cannot get stuck in a towel and newspaper ink is poisonous to kittens.

Confine her in a quiet warm room the last 2 weeks with box, food, water and litter box. Try to be there when they are born to be sure everything is ok.

Plan on spaying mom when the kits are 8 weeks old and rehome the kits at 10-12 weeks old minimum.
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post #8 of 29
2/19/11 at 6:22pm
Thread Starter 
I was totally off, she had them yesterday, I found one dead today, she was feeding all of them. any ideas?
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post #9 of 29
2/19/11 at 7:59pm
Well, that's a surprise! She must have gotten out about 9 weeks ago. . .

How many did she have? Was the one that died smaller than the rest or otherwise look different? Sometimes things just happen, but generally there shouldn't be any unexplained deaths. If the kittens are plump, quiet and warm, it means they're getting enough to eat, but if they're cold and squally it means they aren't. You migth have to supplement if that happens. Do you have her on kitten food yet? She'll need the extra nutrition in order to nurse them all. Some kitten replacer milk might be a good treat for her, too. Nursing is even more taxing on them than pregnancy is, especially when the kittens get older.

What colors are the babies? Post pics!
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post #10 of 29
2/19/11 at 8:05pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Willowy View Post
Well, that's a surprise! She must have gotten out about 9 weeks ago. . .

How many did she have? Was the one that died smaller than the rest or otherwise look different? Sometimes things just happen, but generally there shouldn't be any unexplained deaths. If the kittens are plump, quiet and warm, it means they're getting enough to eat, but if they're cold and squally it means they aren't. You migth have to supplement if that happens. Do you have her on kitten food yet? She'll need the extra nutrition in order to nurse them all. Some kitten replacer milk might be a good treat for her, too. Nursing is even more taxing on them than pregnancy is, especially when the kittens get older.

What colors are the babies? Post pics!
Yes it was surprising! She had 4, one died. I'm not sure why. I checked the nipples, milk does come out. They seem plump, they cried 2 or 3 times last night thats it. I have her on kitten food. So do you recommend me getting her milk replacer to go with the kitten food?

I trimmed some hair under her and around the nipples so it is easier for the kittens since she is a long haired cat. Babies are cinnamon and white I guess!
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post #11 of 29
2/19/11 at 8:13pm
Thread Starter 
This is Bella:


With her Kittens:








Maybe its a little too late to ask but do I clean her rear or does she?
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post #12 of 29
2/19/11 at 8:14pm
Thread Starter 
One of the cinnamon ones died
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post #13 of 29
2/20/11 at 2:30pm
Sorry to hear about the dead kittens. I would suggest weighing the remaining kittens twice a day to see if they are gaining weight. You don't need to wash the mom, she will do it herself.
It could be that the lost kittens had a neonatal isoerythrolysis, which means they could have had different blood type than their mommy and that caused the deaths.

(And about colors, the darker kittens are red, the paler are cream like mommy. If the black male you mentioned earlier is the sire, all of these kittens are boys. If they're not, they have a red daddy. Also possible that there are several fathers if mommy's been out unsupervised).

Vibes for the remaining babies and mommy that everything goes better from now on.
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post #14 of 29
2/20/11 at 4:05pm
I was gonna question the "cinnamon" color - they are not cinnamon - they are red and creams. Cinnamon is a rare color and found in purebred cats and only in a few breeds at that
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post #15 of 29
2/21/11 at 12:29pm
They are very precious babies, I am sorry one died. Mom is gorgeous. Can you please get her spayed in a couple of months after kittens are weaned? If you are not a breeder of show cats, all cats should be S/N. When you adopt out the kittens (or keep them with you) please make the people agree to get them fixed. There are millions of stray cats suffering and fighting to survive that are the product of owner's not fixing cats. Thank you and keep sending pictures of them, they are very, very sweet. Mother cat will know instinctively what to do as far as raising them and keeping herself and her kittens clean.
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post #16 of 29
2/21/11 at 2:01pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Feralvr View Post
They are very precious babies, I am sorry one died. Mom is gorgeous. Can you please get her spayed in a couple of months after kittens are weaned? If you are not a breeder of show cats, all cats should be S/N. When you adopt out the kittens (or keep them with you) please make the people agree to get them fixed. There are millions of stray cats suffering and fighting to survive that are the product of owner's not fixing cats. Thank you and keep sending pictures of them, they are very, very sweet. Mother cat will know instinctively what to do as far as raising them and keeping herself and her kittens clean.
Thanks, But I have soome bad news. Another one died with his mouth open, Is she doing something wrong? Killing the?
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post #17 of 29
2/21/11 at 2:37pm
Aww, that's sad .

Are there signs that there's something not right with the kittens? Are they noisy? They shouldn't meow much. Do you find them away from the nest? Are they plump or skinny? What do they do when you pick them up? How warm is the room they're staying in?

It is possible she's laying on them and they suffocate. Cats don't usually kill their own kittens on purpose, and if she did I think there'd be blood. Or she may not be feeding them well enough. If it's her first litter she probably just doesn't know what to do.

It would be a good idea to call your vet. I wouldn't want to take them in unless totally necessary, because their immune systems aren't developed and they might catch something. But a call would be fine. . .the vet might have some suggestions.
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post #18 of 29
2/21/11 at 5:53pm
Oh I am sooooooo very sorry another baby has died. I don't have any experience with kittens, but I doubt Mom has killed that one. They might not be healthy, I would call a vet ASAP to find out what to watch for. Make sure they are staying very close to Mom, are nursing well, and she is tending to them. If you do not see these things, get ready to hand-feed immediately to save them. Mom should take care of them, but keep a VERY close watch right now., I wish you good luck tonight, sending mega
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post #19 of 29
2/23/11 at 12:18pm
How is Bella and those two babies doing?? Just wondering and sending lots of mega for their health!! Let us know how it is going
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post #20 of 29
2/23/11 at 12:26pm
Did the last kitten survive? How is the mom doing? I'd be concerned about her health since so many of her kittens had something wrong with them
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post #21 of 29
2/23/11 at 1:11pm
Thread Starter 
Sorry I have not updated. Yet another one died. I Only have one left. I think/hope he will survive. He is nice and fat. I have talking to a no kill rescue here in AZ and they tell me Bella might be sick. Maybe FLV,FIV, toxoplasmosis, herpes infection. What do you think?

I think all this happened because the kittens only used 2 nipples. And one had extreme use, where the fat kitten got milk I checked the other 4 and they where tangled with hair and other stuff.

Bella seems to be fine. Once I get money, Im spaying her, deworming her and all that stuff.

Thanks for all the interest and good thoughts.
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post #22 of 29
2/24/11 at 7:34am
Oh please know I am extremely sorry for these losses you have endured these last few days. This is very sad for you and Bella too, I am sure. Has Bella ever been tested for FELK/FIV? I am sending you mega for that last kitten, he sounds like he is doing well. Just stay in touch and if there is any other way we can help you, support is here
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post #23 of 29
2/24/11 at 2:22pm
Your cat is beautiful. I'm so sorry that the kittens died. I hope that last 1 is healthy and ok. Are you going to keep him?
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post #24 of 29
2/25/11 at 12:20am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by My4LLMA View Post
Your cat is beautiful. I'm so sorry that the kittens died. I hope that last 1 is healthy and ok. Are you going to keep him?
Was, bad news. My las kitten died. with mouth open like the last 2. He was sorta "gasping" for air any ideas. Thanks for all the hlep everyone. This stinks. Is my queen sick?
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post #25 of 29
2/25/11 at 6:17am
It's likely something is wrong with her. If she were totally healthy, the kittens should not have died. Kittens born to a FeLV positive mother generally don't live long, so that's a possibility. She should have a full checkup as soon as you can get her in. There are STDs cats can have (besides FeLV), and who knows who the father cat was? He could have had all kinds of diseases.

At any rate, make sure she doesn't get out again before she's spayed, or you'll end up doing all this over again. Losing her kittens will make her go back into heat faster, so keep an eye on her. She can be spayed as soon as the milk dries up. . .probably about a week or so.
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post #26 of 29
2/25/11 at 7:51am
I am very sad to hear this news and sorry for you. I think it would be in the best interest of Bella to get her to a vet immediately for a full check-up. She also needs to be spayed. I am sure this has been very hard on Bella too losing her kittens this week. I wish you the best and hope you can get Bella healthy. Please keep posting, we care
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post #27 of 29
2/25/11 at 10:20am
When you don't know the background on a cat, you have NO idea what may be genetically wrong or what was passed on to the kittens. Many things could have cause the death of the kittens.

I'm thinking there could have been blood type incompatability - this can cause the death of kittens if mom is a B blood type and the kittens were A types - the nursing would have killed them.

Sorry for the loss of everyone, but I do hope that you have scheduled mom to be spayed now.
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post #28 of 29
2/28/11 at 4:42am
Please get her spayed. I just lost a cat during the birthing process. I would also get her checked out by a vet asap.
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post #29 of 29
2/28/11 at 3:37pm
I've never had a cat that had kittens. I've never even seen a cat have kittens except on t.v. I don't know why the kittens all got sick and died. I'm so sorry to read that the last one died to.
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