Two Preggo Rescues

Cleo, Esther and Cheeto were abandoned by a wild momma on our farm. They remained outside and behaved very wildly for months. We were unable to capture them and, of course, over time, the girls did both get pregnant. We have worked tirelessly to tame them and have been able to get the girls on our porch and the boy has now been caught, neutered and up to date on vaccines. I believe the girls are getting close to delivery and I think they are close together on due dates. Cleo has definite "cleavage" though I've not noticed anything leaking. Esther seems fatter, not as much cleavage, but they are both eating and resting a lot. Over the past week, since we've put them on the porch, they are more affectionate and don't freak out as badly when we come and go. They'll always come to my daughter and are more vocal. I'm just not sure how to read the signs as they were so wild and we are just now going thru the bonding process during their pregnancies. Any advice?

Thank you so much for helping them, you surely will be blessed. If I were you I'd go to the 'feral and stray' forum and go through even the old ones, I'm sure there are many helpful ideas and strategies there. I think you've got the worst part whipped, you've got the on the porch! AND they seem to like your daughter! Good luck and keep us posted!

Di and Bob said:

 
Thank you so much for helping them, you surely will be blessed. If I were you I'd go to the 'feral and stray' forum and go through even the old ones, I'm sure there are many helpful ideas and strategies there. I think you've got the worst part whipped, you've got the on the porch! AND they seem to like your daughter! 

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Their momma knew where to leave them some how..2 of our 4 dogs are rescues and now 6 of 7 cats! I have a great friend who's a vet and she's handling the spays as soon as their kittens are weaned. I feel so bad texting her constantly to ask a question, but I just don't want to screw this up! Thanks for the vote of confidence. I think, for one of them at least, it'll be within the week.

I have them together on our porch with a few hiding/birthing places available. They are very close and I know their kittens are due very close together. I'm wondering if it's unheard of for two queens to use the same box for birth?

Yes do check out the feral forum as well, and set them up some choice habitats to have babies, like a large box turned on its side in a corner where she can have darkness, put some blankets or sheets in it.  In the wild they always look for some kind of "cave" to have babies in.

This site is for learning through other people's experiences, so don't hesitate to ask us any questions you have too, there are lots of very competent advisers here who are wonderful! One thing, remember cats can get pregnant again within days after birth, so watch out! Good luck!

I have two large crates, each with a box and bedding inside. The porch is fully enclosed, but they have plenty of room to roam a bit. They don't get too far from one another, usually, but they will check out the boxes from time to time. Otherwise, one is asleep on and one under the table out there. They talk to me thru the french door when they see me and I get all the bumps, purrs and loves when I go out. They're really turning in to sweet girls. AND NO WORRIES..they will not be back outside till babies are weaned and they are spayed and vaccinated!

I would think not, they get very protective, but you never know! After they both give birth they may share in the kitten care though. Be careful that one does not try to 'steal' a kitten when only one has given birth,I had an older brother that stole a kitten and carried it a long way to play with, so watch them! Good luck and keep us posted!

A friend rescued two who gave birth about 10 days apart.  At first they were in separate boxes but eventually they moved all the kittens together and both moms cared for all the kittens.  Another neighbor had one female stealing the other ones babies and then the other would come get them back.  He had to put them in separate rooms so the babies wouldnt get all worn out.  After awhile he put them in the same room and they shared the babies.  These are all rescued cats so we don't know if they were related to begin with, but they were neighborhood cats brought in because they were obviously about ti give birth and these folks chose to end the production line then and there.  All babies and mamas were spayed and boys neutered before being placed in new homes (babies) and both folks kept the mama cats after they were spayed.

They're here! Little Cleo delivered 5 babies in about an hour and I don't think her sister, Esther, will be far behind! All kittens are nursing, talking and squirming, and I'm an elated Grandma!

Ah congrats, well done Cleo!  So cute 

Two sisters delivered a week apart. Momma #1 has been amazing and her kittens are big and strong, delivered a wk ago. Momma #2 delivered last night and did wonderfully thru the night, then I took the dirty towel out of the box and she's been weird ever since. She's taken just one of the six babies into momma #1s box repeatedly, ignoring the other five. As it stands, both mommas and all twelve kittens are in an xlg dog crate..the birthing box of momma #1 has both mommas, all of #1s babies, plus the one baby of #2, and the other five babies are on a separate cushion just outside the box, but in the crate. Right now everyone is sleeping, but I don't know how long it's been since #2 nursed. I'm so afraid for the five. I'm just dumbfounded!

Usually I do not remove the birth bedding for 24 hours because it has their smell and they are comfortable with it.  If it's wet, put something dry over it to keep the family dry, but the smell will still be there for her.  Also, the newborns need the mother's colostrum, the very first milk out of her nipples,because it contains special antibodies the kittens need, and you don't want the other kittens to take it -- they already got theirs from their own mama. Since the babies are a week apart and one group is newborn, you should give that family their own space, either in a separate crate or a closet, not with the other mother and babies at this time.  Also, the mothers' milk is actually designed for the different ages of the kittens and it changes as the kittens grow.  In a few weeks, the kittens can share both mamas with no problem, but right now, the newborn kittens need to be separate with their own mama, without access to the other group.

If the 5 dont get help from momma, their time is running.   Healthy kittens may manage several hours alone, but the risk in of course increasing the whole time...

If Red Tops advice doesnt help, you may sit there and be forced to feed them yourself...

Be sure they dont get cold.

Good luck!

Update: all twelve babies and both rescued mommas are doing splendidly! Cleo's kittens are two weeks old today, and Ester's were one week old yesterday. I also acquired three 2-day old fosters and, unfortunately, I lost two the first night. The third; however, was the runt, and is the prettiest little bobtail. Her eyes opened today and, though she's still smaller than the kittens which are three days younger, she's gaining weight every day. All fourteen have been occupying the same box since the day after Ester gave birth. I knew these sisters were close, but I sure didn't think sharing a birthing room was going to work out. I let them make the choice and it's worked very well. They often lie together and nurse whomever shows up in the chow line; whether it's their own or their sister's kits. I couldn't be more proud of both of them and the babies are fat, fluffy, and beautiful!

Oh how great that is my cat is close to giving birth but not entirely sure when within the next two weeks I think as she was a house cat permanently but escaped when she was in season and although was ckose to home she wouldn't leave the tom or let us catch her for a week so im goin by the last day but could be before she is most definitely getting fixed as soon as she is able to now I know she knows how to get out at the right time

Thanks for the updates!  We're so glad it is going so well and you even managed to save one of the orphan fosters (sorry about the other two, but their first couple of days were obviously too much for them.  So glad the little runt can grow up with two mamas and lots of siblings to play with.  You are going to have your hands full in a few weeks.  With that many kittens, I would suggest putting little boxes with beach sand in all the corners when they start eating solid food because in my experience, kittens head for the corners to pee and poop rather than going to mama's litter box right away.  Also, most of them try to eat the litter to start with, so sand is the safest thing, it won't clump or swell up if they manage to swallow any..  I use those flat cardboard boxes that canned cat food comes in to start with.  However, you wont have to worry about that for a few weeks.  Just enjoy them and take lots of pictures.

My two mommas are sisters and they've taken to caring for theirs and each other's kittens. One litter is 3 wks old, the other 4 wks. For the most part, everyone seems to be getting enough to eat, sleeping a lot as kittens do; but often the mommas only nurse for a minute or two. Is this normal? A couple of the kittens are a bit smaller than the litter mates, but I wouldn't call them "skinny". Nobody cries incessantly, so I believe they are eating enough, but I'm afraid to not supplement if I should. Anyone??

I think it's ok as long as they are still gaining and not losing weight. I would just try to give the moms attention while nursing so they will let them eat if you don't think they are getting enough.im no expert I've just had this happen before.

The best way to know if the kittens gets enough, is to weigh them, and see if they gain steadily....  Very experienced rescuers do often see it by a glance or a touch, the rest should weigh...

I think try the advice above from Icey Bolt.  Make sure the smallest ones has qualtiy time alone with their moms.  You can perhaps take the biggest most pushy ones aside for some minutes?  Take them when they had eaten and are satisfied, have some nice warm place for them to be and sleep...  And let the smallest be alone with mom some hour. or half an hour and nurse in peace.

If it isnt enough, yes, consider supplementing.  Kmr or goat milk.   Perhaps no big panic as they manage, but they should get more. Its desirable.

Soon it will be time for some of them to begin eat solids too, no?   This is another way to get them eat enough.   Another variable to play with.

Good luck!