I've read through the entire subforum here, but I couldn't help posting pics! Do you think she's pre

zoeykotah

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I have two cats, Zoey and Kotah. They are (or, were going to be) both 100% indoor cats and since Kotah is neutered, I didn't think it was necessary to get Zoey spayed, especially since she's never showed interest in going outside. Well, I was wrong. So, so wrong. She escaped one day as I was coming into the apartment, and now I think she might be pregnant. The thing is, she's always been kind of "rotund" in the belly, but now it's really over the top. Her nipples do appear pink but not super angry red like some I've seen on the forum, and I've read that dark-haired kitties normally have pinker nipples. She vomited once a few days ago. The only temperament change I noticed is that she tends to be much more aggressive to Kotah, whom she has been best buds with since she was 7 weeks old. I haven't seen any movement in her belly - I thought I felt some "pulsating" of sorts earlier today on her side that felt like my belly did when my daughter was kicking, but she was drinking water at the time so I convinced myself it was just that. Anyway, here are some pictures so you can see this huge bump I'm talking about.





I know for certain she will be getting spayed as soon as possible after delivery, if she is pregnant. Also, I have a terrible sense of time and no idea when it was she ran out. Could be 4 weeks, could be 6, could be 8. I literally have no idea. I'm sorry for submitting what seems like the most common thread of all, but I'm really so confused!

Thank you all in advance!
 

tulosai

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She is probably pregnant, yes.  If you are able to take her to a vet, she can actually be spayed before delivery, even if it is quite late in the pregnancy.  I know this is unpleasant for many people to hear/think about initially, but the truth is that kitten pregnancies are very different than human ones- the kittens truly cannot survive until a very few days before birth. It will also probably be healthier and safer from mom to have the spay. 

Good luck
 
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zoeykotah

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Thanks, tulosai! I know we can do the spay/abort, but I'd really rather not. I mean, I don't mind having kittens. Luckily, I am in a position where I can keep them for the first 12 weeks or even longer if we're not able to find great homes for them. You say it might be better for her to have the spay and not go through the birthing process, how come? You mean just in general it's less risky to spay cats than to have them give birth?
 

tulosai

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Yes, from what I understand a birth is considerably more risky than a spay, but it is obviously your personal choice 
 I am glad you plan to spay her after this litter.  Here's an article about some of the advantages of spaying generally if you have the time/inclination to read it. http://www.thecatsite.com/a/spay-and-neuter-your-cats

Please let us know as questions and concerns come up! We are here to help!!!
 
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zoeykotah

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Yes, we will definitely be spaying; not only to prevent further breeding, but also to get rid of that dreaded heat cycle. The day she escaped, she managed to make the lower part of my door frame into wood chips.


So, from your personal experience, does that belly look like a pregnant belly? Would you be confident taking those odds to Vegas?
I know she doesn't have worms or anything like that, is there anything else that could be making her belly this distended?
 

tulosai

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It's less the pictures and more the timing of when she got out and the fact that you seem sure she was in heat when she did so.  Bluntly, during this season, it is pretty much a sure bet that if a female got out and especially if she was in heat at the time, she is pregnant. I would take it to Vegas, yes.

If it is possible for you though, it would be good to get the vet to give her a checkup.  He'd be able to tell you

1. If she is pregnant for sure

2. If so how far along

3. Confirm all is progressing normally.
 
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zoeykotah

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Yes, I'll have to do that. It would be especially useful to get some idea of how far along she is. Since I haven't felt the kittens yet, I'm assuming she has more than a few weeks left. But gosh, she's so huge. Maybe I should get a box ready, just in case...
 

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It's less the pictures and more the timing of when she got out and the fact that you seem sure she was in heat when she did so.  Bluntly, during this season, it is pretty much a sure bet that if a female got out and especially if she was in heat at the time, she is pregnant. I would take it to Vegas, yes.

If it is possible for you though, it would be good to get the vet to give her a checkup.  He'd be able to tell you

1. If she is pregnant for sure

2. If so how far along

3. Confirm all is progressing normally.
Yeah.   If a indoor only female cat "happen to escape" or similiar, and "happen to get pregnant", - what are the statistical odds for that, these two rare fenomens are simultaneous?

Nay, they truth is, it was nothing that did happen.   It was so BECAUSE she was in heat, and probably felt a fom nearby.  And said tom was there because HE felt a female in heat...  the alternative is worse: if she is going and seeking a tom, she is living dangerously, unused to the streets, and unused to be streetsmart.  Cars, dogs, mean boys, aggressive revire defenders...

so it is no occasional statistical coincidence, it is practically a sure thing.

And as your well behaving home girl did her outmost to get out, teaching Houding a few lessons in the process, we dont need to guess.  Just go to Las Vegas and claim your vage.

The only defence is to spay them in good time.

Good luck!

some links:

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/pregnant-cat-what-to-prepare-for-the-birth

http://www.icatcare.org/advice/my-cat-having-kittens    ( This is a link to a group of articles on cat pregnancy, birth and kittens.   Read the ones on normal cat birth and on " when to wait and when to worry"  )  

http://www.cat-world.com.au/parturition-birth-in-cats

http://www.icatcare.org/advice-centre/cat-care/normal-cat-birth

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/post-birth-complications-in-cats

 http://www.thecatsite.com/t/80724/all-about-pregnancy-labor-delivery-in-cats
 
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