Odd behaviour

lakooda

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My 5 year old polydactyl is about to have her 3rd litter. She's a good mother, tentative, and even nursed her last kitten until he was almost as big as her. (I kept him) I know she's going to go into labor anytime now, especially since her milk really came in over the last 12 hours. She stays in my room, has everything she needs, food, water, litter box and I've also set up a couple nesting areas for her to choose from, and it's stopped her from snooping around and knocking things over. (Poor girl is a clumsy blimp right now) anyways, after waking up from a nap, I noticed she was missing! Which is an odd feat considering my door was locked and there's no way she could escape. I called out but received no response. Normally she'd come running when I call her. After a long while, she came out of hiding, which was the litter box. Apparently she was laying in there. I found that odd, but now that I think of it; during her last litter she moved all her kittens to the litterbox once. I moved them back as soon as I noticed, since I don't agree that a litterbox is a good place for new borns. Even now, I find her laying in there, instead of the nesting areas I set up for her. I'm going to take a guess and assume she might be attracted to her own scent? But that can't be comfortable, or sanitary for her. I also noticed within the past 12 hours, she's had very bad diarrhea. I heard her use the litterbox earlier and it sounded like pure liquid was coming out. I haven't changed her diet, and she hasn't consumed anything out of the ordinary. That's an unrelated question to her odd litterbox lounging. Do pregnant queens often experience diarrhea so close to giving birth? That's a first for me, considering its her third litter. Anyone? Not to mention she's making a real mess.
 

StefanZ

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Yes, it is quite common they get loose stool just before the delivery.  Perhaps not running water, but loose, yes.

So, be prepared for emergencies, but hope for the best.

Of course, if she is having such diarrhea much, more than occasionally, you must contact your vet, as such diarrhea makes her lose her forces quickly.

Get home dextrose (glucose sugar). Useful in many cases of emergencies, for example for making up home made pedialyte. Or giving a energy boost to a fading kitten. Better than honey or white caro syrup.

Many cats like to lie on the litter, although typically it is unused litter. So for example, quite common with cats at shows.  I suppose it is something with the texture which feels nice for them, a sort of self massage perhaps...

Are you a breeder?  If not, and these litters do come more or less as oops,  my recommendation is you do spay her after this litter.  Even many breeders do spay their queens after about third litter.

Good luck!

 Welcome to our Forums!
 
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lakooda

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Thanks for the info! And yes, these litters were all oops, but she produces lovely kittens, and always one polydactyl. This litter seems to be the largest yet. I do plan on having her spayed after this, considering she's going to be 6 soon, and I'd rather she didn't have another surprise litter in her late years. I plan to keep one of her kittens, since it will be her last. Since all these litters were surprises, I can't be classified as a breeder, but I'd like to think I do well in raising the babies to a proper age and sending them to good homes. I'm a cat lover and always ensure my kittens will be placed in lasting homes. Many of them I've been privileged to see years later, and they've grown into beautiful adults. I'd love to consider becoming a breeder, rather than being blessed with 'surprise' litters every couple years. I'll have to look into finding other polydactyl owners as potential mates for my future queen.
 

callista

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Have you considered fostering rather than breeding? A breeder is usually somebody who loves a particular breed of cat, and wants to refine its looks. If you just love kittens, you could get involved with fostering kittens for a shelter. Sometimes they come in too young to be adopted out, so foster families take them in and care for them, sometimes help with finding homes too. You'd get to see kittens grow up, and if you are good at finding homes for kittens, that would probably be quite a blessing. In many places there is a serious feline overpopulation problem and it is very, very hard to find homes for unwanted cats, even cute kittens, so that many of them are put to sleep in shelters. You could help with that, help more kittens find homes.

Have you seen this blog?
The Itty Bitty Kitty Committee
They foster kittens and blog about it, and as an added bonus they are really good photographers.
 
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