A long tale with Pregnant Cat's and Kittens...

So my story begins early February... 

I have a large forest near my apartment complex where many animals live. Unfortunately, living in a college town means that pets are mistreated, abandoned, or worse. In my city of Kalamazoo, MI where we have two (legit) animal rescues, the humane society, the SPCA, and an animal shelter... the pet population is immense. It's a sad thing to see so many (roughly) 1-year old cats come into these places, without ever receiving medical attention or being altered.

But I digress...early january, 3 young orange cats suddenly appeared in these woods. Other residents had taken notice, as "make-shift" food bowls were near the dumpsters. That's when I decided I'd help these cats. I began to scout them out. I'd leave canned food out, treats, and other goodies hoping to entice them. Yet after a few weeks, they weren't any more friendly. This is when I learned the term "feral cat" and became knowledgeable about TNR practices. So with my new found information, I decided to get involved. I started volunteering at the animal rescues and was able to borrow live cat traps. At the humane society here in town, every thursday is "Feral Cat" day. Where they spay/neuter feral cats completely free of charge (the hard part was being there so darn early!). Three neutered orange cats and a visit to a feral cat colony later.... 

I found myself in an unusually warm March. There was a cat I had been watching. She was new to the area and I took an interest in her bulging belly and puffy nipples. However, after the first few "scouting" outings-I didn't see her again. Thinking that perhaps she was an indoor/outdoor cat to somebody, I gave up the search. 

Fast forward to May. I was walking around the woods when I heard a commotion. A family of six where gathered around a fallen log and pointing excitedly. Thinking that perhaps they found baby raccoons or something, I headed over in that direction. Small kittens! The children where handling them just fine and they seem unfazed. Getting into conversation with the family, I somehow wound up with three kittens (Two B&W and One all gray). Several vet visits and phone calls later...homes where found for all of them. Happy story right? 

Wrong! 

Think back 4 weeks ago. That same cat in March? Spotted again. This time, not only does she have a bulgy sides and puffy nipples, she is barely able to move and is dehydrated and thirsty from the heat wave. She doesn't even hiss when I pick her up and bring her to my home. 

Now here we are with an extremely pregnant cat in my spare bedroom. I've never watched a cat give birth, except when I googled it on youtube after finding this one. I am inexperienced and not even sure when she is due. So here we go: 

4 weeks ago when I found her-Had noticeable pink nipples. Didn't eat much. 

3 weeks ago- Appetite found her. Eating tons. 

2 weeks ago-Belly is getting very bulgy. 

1 week ago- She can't lick herself properly without tumbling over. You can totally feel kittens moving around inside.

Today-She is sleepy, not eating too much. Changes her sleeping position from the cat bed-to the sleepaway corner-to the birthing box-to my lap-back to the bed again (basically, seeming like she can't get comfortable.) She has had some mild loose stools over the weekend. 

Just wondering the big question...when will she pop? 

Hmm, she's not very large, and her nipples haven't lost all the fur around them yet. Or is that a pic from when you just found her? Usually when you can feel the kittens moving, it's about 2 weeks left. Since cats are pregnant for 9 weeks, the very most she could have left is 5 weeks :tongue2:. But probably she was farther along than that when you found her.

Good on you for helping the kitties! It's great she's so tame--it'll make finding homes for her babies easier.

You are awesome for getting involved in rescue work! It is hard work for sure but extremely rewarding! 

Agreed that once her belly starts to look like something out of the movie "Alien" you have roughly two weeks to go. Many Queens also lose their appetite a day or two beforehand and become restless looking for the proper place to nest. I sounds like you have a birthing box all ready for her, though it's always questionable if she will use it or not. Just try to make that the most enticing place in the room to encourage her to stay in there. 

As for the actual labor, usually there is not much you need to do but sit and comfort her if she wants you there. Be sure to have a 24 hour vet clinic or animal hospital number handy just in case there are complications. I have a notepad with the rest of my foster stuff with that number on the front. When they are born I take note of the time and their coloring/markings so I know who is who. With each kitten she should also deliver a placenta. It is normal for her to eat these and is good for her to do so. If she has more than 4 kittens you can take away the last few placentas as too many can give her an upset stomach. But, not a huge deal if she eats them all. 

Things to watch for: Make sure she breaks the sack around each kitten and chews through the umbilical cord. If this isn't done after a minute or two then you need to intervene. Also, watch for active straining labor that lasts more than a few hours with no kittens. This could be a sign that a kitten is stuck or that a placenta is retained. If any of these things happen or you just aren't sure err on the side of caution and call the vet. 

After she gives birth try and get a weight on the babies as soon as she will let you. It's important to monitor their weight and to weigh them at the same time everyday. A small kitchen scale works great. Just put it on the floor right next to her, weigh each baby and put them right back. Don't move them out of her sight or she can become very distressed. I put a few layers of towels in the birthing box beforehand. Then, afterwards, I get  a weight on each. The act of moving them usually makes the Momma get up and when she does I just pull off the top layer of bedding so she has a clean place to lay. Other than the daily weighing I don't handle the kittens much the first few weeks and give all my attention to Momma. It lets her know I am there for her and not to hijack her babies. 

It's also not unusual if she doesnt use the litterbox for a day or two or really leave her nesting location at all. Move her food and water as close as you can to her so she doesnt have to move far when she does need it. 

Keep researching online and ask all the questions you need to on here. There are some seasoned pros who can give you some seriously good advice. 

Good luck and be sure to post pictures and updates! 

Weighing in grams rather than ounces is easier in my view as you won't have to deal in decimal points.  A weight gain of 10g per day or more is normal, there will be the odd day when it is less.  Weigh at the same time each day, and I always use a spreadsheet on the PC as it's better at the arithmetic than I am.

Lots more useful information here:

http://www.fabcats.org/breeders/infosheets/breeding_from_your_cat/felineparturition.html

She also needs worming, and have you checked for fleas?

I woke up this morning to two kittens. One was alive and quite vocal, the other I (assume) was stillborn. Mom seemed fine, was nestled with her one kitten purring up a storm. She also gave birth under the desk, which was not a previous "spot" for her! 

Anyway... We were sad about the stillbirth and buried the kitten. The live kitten looks very healthy, squirms, and demands milk the second mom changes positions and moves! 

That being said, when I came home from work, she had given birth to another kitten (I thought she was done). This one had no tail and was barely moving. I tried to stimulate it but this kitten also died, which was really tough. 

I called the vet and they asked if I felt any movement in stomach and I don't. She seems content enough and isn't having anymore labor pains. So this was a pretty small litter. Which-though sad, is actually probably a blessing in disguise. One kitten means I'm responsible for less vet trips for mom and baby, fix mama, and only need to find two new homes. Which I had about 5 people interested in the potential kittens from various family and friends...so they will be fighting over the baby! 

The baby (see previous picture) looks identical to mama. Even has the white under its chin. 

It's SO tiny. With the two deaths, I'm afraid for it. I feel like every half hour I am checking to make sure it breaths, that its vocal, that mama still has it...etc. 

What a shame you weren't present at the births, sorry for the kittens you lost.

Singletons are often more work than a large litter and may need to be hand raised as it's not enough to keep mum interested. She will likely also call after 1-2 weeks, at which point she may not want to care for the little one.

Make sure to weigh every day to ensure the correct weight is being gained.

Oh I am so sorry for your losses.   Although you have a good perspective that it is more economical for you and less kittens in the world it doesn't make it any easier. Even if you had been present it doesn't sound like there was anything you could have done to change it so try and take comfort in that. 

I agree with MissyMotus that sometimes a singleton can be more work- especially since they don't have siblings to play and learn with. When s/he gets older you really have to allocate playtime to ensure proper socialization. As already mentioned watching his/her weight is critical as it can tip you off that s/he isn't getting enough milk or to a more serious illness.

In these situations some people use the Mom as a surrogate to other abandoned kittens around the same age. Because Mom was anticipating more babies oftentimes she will take them in as her own. Since you are affiliated with a rescue already I would maybe run this idea past them. Just make sure the kittens are only a week or two older if not the same age or else they can overpower your little one. The risks here are: what happens to the kittens if Mom refuses them? You don't want bottle babies if you can help it so make sure their is someone else who can take them if it doesn't work out. Also, you run the risk of the new kittens bringing in illnesses and giving them to Mom and baby. It may or may not be worth it to you. Just something to consider. 

I have had a few litters of just two and never had a Mom abandon them but it is a risk so keep a close eye on her and the baby's interaction. 

Thanks for all the information. I leave this Sunday to go on a trip to CA... So I am concerned for the baby... but mom seems to be doing an okay job. She is mostly seen nestled in with the kitten and if I enter the office (where she is secluded from my other felines) she instantly runs to baby and curls around it. She doesn't mind if I pet her or baby-and once I start, she keeps the purr-motor running! 

But I am concerned with the amount of time she spends away from it. If I am at my desk (like now) she runs out from her spot (underneath the other desk across the room where baby is) and comes to me-despite the squeaks of baby. She also tends to "squash" it-every time she changes positons, I feel like I am moving it because she is half sitting on it. 

Anyway-It's because of my vacation that I really am not going to look into seeing if there are abandoned kittens who need a surrogate. (My fiance already doesn't like the idea of taking care of our three house-cats, let alone mama and baby!) But, if this were to ever happen again in my future (though, I really hope not)-I will def keep that option in mind. It's a great idea! 

I don't want to jinx the kitten...so when it hits one-week old, I will get a picture taken of it and post it. 

You may need to pen her to encourage her to stay with the baby and properly bond, ignoring babys squeaks isn't good, nor is sitting on the kitten.

I wouldn't be going away, unless you've got someone living at the house who'll be doing the daily weight and health checks?

I've had this vacation booked for months-so yes, I will be leaving. My fiancé lives with me, so he will be checking and making sure the kitten is fine.

As for mom-every time I go into the bedroom and see her not with the kitten, I've been getting her to come to the vest and lay down and put the kitten on her. Then give her a treat. If this doesn't work, then I will have to keep her in smaller quarters to make sure she is taking care of the baby.

I would put heroin a pen with the kitten like Missy says. You can most likely borrow one from the shelter. One big enough to hold her litter, food, and bed. You can obviously let her out whenever you feel like she needs a break.

I'd be worried about the kitten getting too cold w/o her though.

^^^^funny phone auto-correct

bigperm20 said:

I'd be worried about the kitten getting too cold w/o her though.

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A definite worry, singles don't have siblings to cuddle up to and I don't like the health risks of heat pads, so having mum is vital.

WildKitten10 said:

I've had this vacation booked for months-so yes, I will be leaving. My fiancé lives with me, so he will be checking and making sure the kitten is fine.
As for mom-every time I go into the bedroom and see her not with the kitten, I've been getting her to come to the vest and lay down and put the kitten on her. Then give her a treat. If this doesn't work, then I will have to keep her in smaller quarters to make sure she is taking care of the baby.

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Understandably life does not stop just because you have fosters. Just make sure that your fiancé is familiar with how to bottle feed and eliminate the kitten in case the Mom goes totally rogue. Make sure he knows how to weigh the kitten and have the vet number handy. I would agree about just getting her confined to smaller quarters to try and prevent it from happening if you can. I have to go out of town sometimes too so don't worry about that part- my best friend is trained to what the routine is around here and how to handle emergency feedings if necessary. So long as your fiancé is comfortable with it all then it should go fine. Since he's there already he should have an idea of how you have it all running.  

bigperm20 said:

I would put heroin a pen with the kitten like Missy says.

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aeevr said:

^^^^funny phone auto-correct

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Damn Auto Correct! :banghead: