temperature in pregnant cat rising?

I am curious how to go about taking a temperature in the armpit.  I have been taking my cats temp under her back leg for a week and its been around 99.0-99.8...I thought she was going into labor.  Since then she has low appetitte, sleeping alot, very uncomfortable, groaning, brown discharge (for week), puffy-pink vagina, nesting, grooming.  I was certain she was going to be going into labor.  Well today I took it under her front armput and its higher...the normal temp of 101.2 ...  Is it because I was taking it wrong before?  I also took it twice in rectum last week and got the same as under back leg (99.5) - fyi i did in rectum before i realized i could do under arm. I also thought she was having early light contractions - but that arent consistent so I think its just her tightening up from discomfort. The temp under back leg is still reading in the 99 degrees. --- Yes I have added the appropriate degrees to the temp based on where I have taken it.

Was I taking temp wrong all week?

Was I taking it wrong now?

Does fever go up a bit DURING labor (stage 1-2)??

She is due between April4th - April 14th

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are you suppsoed to subtract, add, or neither a degree on rectal temps??  I went ahead ad carefully tried her temp there.  It read 99.4.

really confused on the different readings im getting....?

Poor cat. Bet you wouldn't like a thermometer where the sun doesn't shine.

I wish i could answer this! I say keep checking ubder the leg! When it drops its on. Sounds like anyday now! Keep me posted. And if she allowed you to take a rectal temp then it obv didny botger or hurt her. You seem devoted to your kitty, and i dont believe you have abything but Doras best interests in mind! Keep going under the arm! Wait for that drop anf on come the kittys! Good luck mama! I know youll be fine!!! Keep ne updated

yea she didnt budge at all when it did the rectal.  I did do the armpit again (front leg) and it was lower this time, same as back and rectal.  So throwing all this temp theory out the window lol  Shes as 99.4

Where you take, doesnt matter much for the temp as such. It is changes you want to notice. Different places will prob give somewhat different answers yes. The most important is to be consistent with the same place, so you get the same results so to speak, and can compare if there are any differences and changes.   Have double series if you want, both armpit and leg pit, and write them down, so you remember.

In the behind, rectum, is in a way safest, it is what is it, you dont need to think you do it wrongly or the cat lifts up the leg a little...

But as said, we prefer not to measure in the behind, esp not on the high pregs...Unpleasnt and stressing. And if you do, have something greasy on. Warm also up the termometer in hand so it is has your hands temp.  Which is lower than the cats, so it doesnt disturb the measuring.

To your question in the title: yes, if the temp on a preg, or new mom rises over her usual, sound the alarm bells. Be watchful on any more warning signs, and prepare to contact your vet ASAP.  It can go quickly if she gets a bad infection. It may be literally hours.

Thank you so much, that really helped reassure me!! I did warm up in my hand put Vaseline on before inserting. Since that temp was 99.4 I'm not alarmed. Her arm temp is back to that too. Really strange that it went up that much and I took it twice when it read over 101. I wouldn't have done the rectum except for the fact I wanted to make sure it was accurate cuz I wanted to know if I needed to keep a closer eye on her. But it's good now and she's still be very anxious and more vocal. No "howl" yet and still unsure if she's having early contractions or just discomfort tightening. But def no strong contractions.

I know strong contractions will become close together and about 2-3 min apart is delivery...
But new question: are early contractions time-able or are they inconsistent?

excited4dora said:

But new question: are early contractions time-able or are they inconsistent?

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I dont have statistics on it. Precontractions, which they can get say a couple of weeks before, are inconsistent.  Early contractions, at the start of labor - somewhere in between. Compare with a woman if you want.

Whatever you do she will have them when she is ready - in fact when the kittens are ready, I believe it's the kittens that initiate delivery.  Don't ask me how!

Personally suggest not fussing over her, not taking her temperature, and taking a stiff drink if you are finding the waiting stressful.  Stressed cats can delay delivery, or stop labour for a while.  The calmer you are the better for her.

OrientalSlave said:

Personally suggest not fussing over her, not taking her temperature, and taking a stiff drink if you are finding the waiting stressful.  Stressed cats can delay delivery, or stop labour for a while.  The calmer you are the better for her.

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I completely agree and this is also why I am urging a vet visit- because if you are this anxious and fussy over her she's going to be anxious too. Take her to the vet to be sure nothing is wrong, and then try to just take a deep breathe and relax. They will come when the come and fretting over her isn't going to bring them any faster.