First Foster Mom of the Year

Well, I've only had about 2 months of a break. Yesterday, the shelter called about a woman who wanted to bring in a pregnant cat that had been living around her house for the past year. The shelter first had said no but the woman was going to have her euthanized yesterday and our manager phoned me to see if I could take her. By the grace of God, the woman got the email in time as she had the appt booked for 9am that day.

So, I have a very friendly momma who when she first arrived, tried to jump out the window of the door of my bathroom. Then proceeded to try and scale walls to look for escape. Thankfully, she has settled down and seems content.

The lady who fed her says she thinks she was bred the week of Christmas to New Years. So, she should have these kittens no later than the 4th or so. She has had previous litters by looking at her teats.

I'm switching her over to better quality food slowly. I have a trip planned for 8 nights, leaving March 12th and I really hope the lady was right about time of conception. My teen son will look after them while I'm gone (hubby is here too) but he turns green when it comes to watching the birth. I've had cats with complication so I'm a bit paranoid.

I have my very first pregnant foster, so I'm worried about complications since I've never gone through the birthing process. Luckily, she is really happy confined to the bathroom, and only tries to escape when I leave, because she doesn't want me to go (super affectionate little cuddlebug). The vet estimated we have one to two weeks before birth a couple of days ago, so maybe you and I will be having kittens around the same time!

I wish I could say that getting pregnant cats was unusual, but when I chose a cat to foster, there were three other obviously pregnant girls there. A lot of our rescues do spay-aborts when the pregnancy isn't that far along, but once the kittens would have to be euthanized instead, we don't. Whenever someone says they "want a litter to teach kids about the lifecycle" (maybe take the kids to the shelter and witness all of the euthanasia if they want to teach the lifecycle!), I suggest they foster a pregnant cat instead. There are so many, and giving birth in a crowded, noisy, virus filled shelter must be horrible.

Yes, it sounds like we will be expecting around the same time! I just took some pics of her tonight and will post tomorrow.  She is such a nice momma, loves attention. Did your vet say whether this is her first pregnancy or not?

Yes, our shelter has had a terrible time with upper respiratory. There was another momma cat waiting to be picked up for fostering when I got my girl. I just have to find her a name....

My vet named my girl, because I couldn't think of one fast enough (she went with Luna). My fosters usually come with names! The vet didn't say whether this was a first litter, but we are going in tomorrow for the second roundworm treatment, so I'll try asking then. First or second (she's only maybe a year and a half at most), this is definitely the last!

Our shelter has to euthanize all the cats and dogs with URIs, so a lot of rescues try to pull those babies, but we often can't find foster homes fast enough. So treatable, too All of my gals are currently getting L-Lysine in their food to help boost their immune systems. It really helps!

So, I have been feeling the kittens move for several days now. I just did a search as I was curious if there was any way of indicating approx. due dates from this. They say, movement is usually felt in the last 2 weeks. Which would make sense if she was bred when the girl though.. her due date being approx March 3.

It's just that, by the looks of the momma, she has had kittens before. Her teats appear "used". more elongated and chaffed. Her tummy is full and round but she is still carrying quite high in my opinion. I guess all cats are different...

She was extrmemly affectionate tonight. She is not producing milk or showing any other signs of impending labour...

Ugh! The waiting game!

brinnan: do you feel movement?

Yes, Luna has had some faint movement for a while now. If I hold my hand over her abdomen, I can feel like bumps into my hand every once in a while. It's hard, though, because she purrs SO much when I touch her. I'm concerned about her kittens being born alive and all, considering her malnutrition the first month or two, the roundworms, and all the antibiotics she is on now. As long as she is ok, though, that is what matters. Her belly is getting bigger, still, and her teats are getting faint black circles around a couple of them (I think these might be scabs from the skin breaking nearby, but am not sure). But there is movement when I feel for it. Let's hope she has them soon, before she pops!

This is my foster mom Sophie. She is due any day...

She is?  Are those recent photos?  She hardly looks pregnant in them...

She's a beautiful cat and looks to be in great condition.

Not recent no...about 2 weeks ago. She's still not huge....I am thinking maybe only 2 or 3 kittens. Below is two days ago.

She's nesting! So excited...