Did my stray have kittens or is she ready to deliver???

We took a kitten in that was born outside....Before we could have her spayed she got out of the house...Took us 2 months to catch her...We aren't sure if she's about to have babies or if she had them....We ran all through the neighborhood asking if anyone has seen kittens...They're watching and helping us look...Or cat is only a year old and VERY TINY...Her breasts seem big and we don't want her to be uncomfortable, We called 2 vets today and couldn't get in until Monday...They said if she had them she would be trying to get out...We opened the door and she ran the other way....She doe NOT want to go out...Except for the big breasts she does't appear to be pregnant...What we're afraid is is she to small to have kittens???

This is a dilemma occuring now and then...  You cant know which way it is.  We had two forumites not far ago, who did found the newborn kittens after almost two days alone (or let the mom find them), and the kittens did made it!

All scenarios are possible.  She being young inexperienced mom abandoned them, they were dead borne, some predator took them immediately after the delivery when she couldtn defend them.

Or they still being there.  She having some sort of false pregnancy is also possible.

Exactly how long is these two months ago? How many days?  Is there time for her getting a full timed litter, or is it not?

If she dont want to get out, so you cant force her. Be happy she is inside and well.  But proceed with seeking the kittens. Thye are prob well hidden...

If you have other animals, have her for herself till you had her vet checked.

Good luck!

ah, her being small is seldom a big problem. Many female cats are petite, and they still do manage even with quite big litters.

Thank you for the answer...It helped alot...I'm taking her to the Vet tomorrow @ 4...They're very good so I have confidence they'll have the answers...We and the neighbors have been searching for kittens...I've had a bad weekend thinking kittens may be alone out there...The support from you helped... della

When I asked about on exactly how many days. They are preg usually 63-65 days, they tend to go sooner a couple of days longer than shorter.  Kittens dont manage well premature deliveries.

So if it was shorter than say 62 days, any kittens would be almost surely premature, and thus, stillborne or died shortly after delivery, especially if mom didnt cared much about them (or their human owner didnt).

Just count on the fingers!   If shorter than 62 you will have an answer. If longer, you will still be uncertain.

Good luck!

I was coming up the hill with my garbage cans ...passing by my other shed I heard the kittens....Lucky I came by when I did because they sleep so much I may never have found them,,,,she had 3...sooo cute...My question is wou;d the milk have dried up in her breasts...She appears to be feeding them...We think they're about 2 or 3 weeks old...What can we feed them???

You can get a kitten milk replacer formula at most pet stores.

Thank you...I found the replacer at of all places KMart...It was after 9pm when I found them so everything was closing...KMart is open until 10pm...I'll go to the pet food store tomorrow but at least I have this...I'm not fond of Hatz products but you take what you can get in an emergency...Just thrilled I found them...I couldn't live with myself if I had found them to late...She seems to be feeding them...They fell asleep so I'll assume she's still making milk...That's our biggest concern,

Did you read the post...I found 3 kittens well hidden in the back of my small shed...Sooooooo Happy...

What a relief!   so glad you found them.  

 I think if they are still alive now and seem to be well,  she probably is nursing OK. 

   Can you bring both the mom and kittens inside and keep them inside?   ( or maybe you already did?)   It would be safer for the kittens ,   and also if she is going outside she could get pregnant again.  Nursing does not prevent that.  and it would be very hard on her and not so good for the kittens either .  

  Then   if she will  let you briefly handle them in her sight,   you could weigh them daily at about the same time each day,  and make sure they're gaining enough. You want to see them put on at least 10-15 grams per day  ( about 1/3  - 1/2 ounce) .    It's normal if one day they don't make that goal.  they usually make it up.   It's the general trend that is most important.    

 That would let you know if you do need to supplement with bottle feeding.   It is better not to do that if you don't need to.  The nursing will stimulate her to make more millk.   

But if they consistently do not gain enough,  then supplemental feeding can be very good. 

Wow! So they did survived on their own about two days, or even three?  Wow.  Lets hope they didnt get hurt.  If they sleep after nursing, they surely gets some. But to be sure good you do have some reserve.  Kmr of some sort (perhaps another than Hartz as you say), or goat milk.

IF they get enough, the only way to know is to weigh them every day, and see if they gain, and by how much.  If they get less than 10+ grammes a day, it is too little.  Some occasional uneven may be OK, but not two days running.

So she was out more than the literally two month.   You can still get the count on how they are, by counting on fingers when she disappeared, and draw 65 days from it.

We may take it she disappeared because she was in heat, and smelled or heard a tom lurking nearby.

Interesting point they were in your own shed, exactly where they should.  But it is not easy to find them, if they are well hiddien. I have myself had a similiar experience.

three beautiful kitens...Momma and babies are in the house...Thank you for the info on feeding them...They appear to be nursing every 2 hours...we'll take turns watching...I'm going to bed but my hubby stays up until morning... I'll be able to sleep tonight ..I don't have to worry about the kittens being outside and lost...Thak you again...Soooooo glad I found this site...della

How lucky I happened by just at the time they woke up mewing....My prayers were answered...This is a small wooden shed and she found a new cotton mop I have in there...They were laying on the mop when I found them...Thank God...They look peaceful and happy they foun their Mom...This site is the best because of the people in here.. Thank You ...

Im happy with you and holding thumbs!

Next question is, why she didnt wanted to go out when she could?  Being back home is perhaps not the whole answer.

I think something scared her to death. A predator or an aggressive tom...

Talking of toms.  She may have already been mated. So when you visit your vet.

1.  Ask about the kittens  (phone and ask  ASAP!)

2. Ask about an early spaying, planned before the kittens got to the traditional age of 8+ weeks.

Ie in 1-2 weeks.

She will be able to nurse them anyway at latest 24 hours afterwards, if the vet is planning the incision carefully.

Good luck!