My Foster Elsie

silverphoenix69

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Hello everyone!

It's been a long time since I've been on this website (about 9 years ago LOL), since my cat had kittens.

I now have a foster, a stray cat that someone brought to my work that was clearly pregnant. They couldn't handle her and kittens so we're trying to see if she had a microchip (they posted on shelters and put flyers up, no one claimed this beautiful girl)

I told them I have a spare bedroom and could take her, but had to talk to my fiancé first. Got the ok, gave her a call and left a message. Two weeks later she calls me back, long story short list my message and couldn't get ahold of me

I've had this girl since Sunday. She is HUGE. She is roughly 63 days in, Nipples are big and pink/red. I feel babies moving, and can see them.

Today she's acting strange. Wants to sleep, doesn't want me to leave her but bites me if I try to pet her (she is the sweetest cat, usually only purrs and head butts). Kittens seem to be bugging her. I was hopping she would have them today because I'm off work, but her temp is 38.4C.

How fast does the temp drop? ️️Babies seem to be dropping lower in her abd, but I don't think she will be having them today

Here's my Elsie foster
 

StefanZ

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it may take even a couple of days more, although she begins to drop.  The temp fall isnt entirely reliable, happens perhaps  20 hours earlier.

If you wish, you can surely measure in the armpit of the foreleg, not to bother her too much.  Its lower there, a full degree in C, 2-3 in F.  Ie about 37,5 will be the normal there.

Want some links?

Good luck!

Many of these links have been readied by our forumist  Red Top Rescue:

We have a good collection of articles in the Cat Health section which you can access by scrolling up to the brown bar, clicking on Articles,and then choosing the Cat Health section and scrolling through the choices.  To make this super easy for you, I am copying the links regarding birth, delivery and newborns for you here.  After reading this information, let us know if you have any more questions.  And good luck with your approaching new arrivals.

 Birth, Delivery and Newborns

How to Tell if My Cat is Pregnant?

Cat Pregnancy

How Do I Know When My Cat Will Give Birth?

Pregnant Cat? What to Prepare For the Birth

Help! My Cat is Having Kittens!

Premature Kittens

Post-Birth Complications in Cats

And also:

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/kitten-development-stages-illustrated-guide

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.kitten-rescue.com/
http://www.kittenrescue.org/index.php/cat-care/kitten-care-handbook/
http://www.hdw-inc.com/glop.htm

Fleece or flannel good to use in the bedding for kittens.
 
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silverphoenix69

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Thanks StefanZ

She seems ok with rectaly taking her temp, didn't seem stressed at all.

I'm unsure the exact date she got pregnant, the lady that had her said late February, early March, so 63 days is a guess. I saw her 2-3 weeks ago, and she was big then but is huge now!

I really wish I could get a xray done of her to see how many kittens she'll have, but I don't want to stress her out this close to her due date. My work is an hour away by public transit (I'm a vet tech).

Hopefully all goes well. I have everything needed for an emergency, I went a bit over board just incase, hopefully I don't need any of it!

All she wants to do today is sleep, it's rubbing off on me! Lol
 
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silverphoenix69

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She screams when ever I leave the room she's in [emoji]128531[/emoji] I can't let her out because I have 4 other cats and a dog that will stress her out to much, and she's not FIV/FELV tested yet. I don't know how to calm her down when I'm not in the room, any ideas?
 

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I'm stating the obvious here, but have you got a Feliway diffuser in her room? You could also try giving her an unwashed item of your clothing (preferably something you've slept in or got sweaty in). Having your scent around might comfort her when you're not there.
 
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silverphoenix69

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I do have one in there, but I don't find they help much. I'll try to give her some of my clothes, that may work. But I haven't had her long, just since sunday. I've been in there almost all day, I can't stand a cat crying. Then my cats scream at me for being in there with her! I can't wiN
 

Columbine

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Yeah, Feliway works for some and not others. It's always worth a shot though, imo.

It's wonderful that you've taken on this foster in her neediest time. I hope all goes smoothly with births etc :vibes:
 
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silverphoenix69

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Thank you!

I couldn't just leave that girl with a pregnant cat. She obviously fell in love with her, but with her work schedule, it wouldn't have worked. I have everything needed in case of an emergency from KMR to SC fluids. Went a bit over board with my emerg kit lol
 
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silverphoenix69

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She's very restless. Keeps growling or cherping at her belly. ️Babies are very busy tonight kicking hard, I feel so bad that I can't help her get more comfy...

Sorry just venting my mama stress here as everyone that would understand my stress is working LOL or thinks I'm crazy for bringing another cat home, even if it's temporary
 

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Your feelings are understandable, but you're doing the right thing. Poor kitty is probably uncomfortable in her pregnancy as well as nervous being in a strange home. Probably misses her other owner. You're a good soul for taking her in. This is just a phase to get through. Hopefully all will turn out well and kitty will relax a bit soon. You sound as prepared as you can be! Good luck!
 
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silverphoenix69

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Thank you!!

It's been awhile since I've delt with a kitty pregnancy. Vet clinics you don't see much due to spaying and neutering.

Her temp started to drop last night, 37.9 . I'll see when I get home tonight how she is and what her temp is at! I'm so glad I'm off tomorrow and my fiancé is home saturday
 
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silverphoenix69

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Her temp has dropped to 37.8C and she has soft stool!! Never been so happy to see soft stool hahaha!!! She's quieter and her tummy has dropped more, but not all the way. Babies seem more quiet ... Eeek!!!
 
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silverphoenix69

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This is extremly hard when I don't know her exact mating date! I've put an average of March 1st as they lady told me it was late February, early March. That puts her at 69 days today.

I know to much about the complications that can happen, that I know for the most part I'm being crazy. But if she doesn't have these kittens by Sunday, I guess inducing labor should be the next step?

Her temp went back up yesterday night to 38.2, this morning it's at 37.9 ( it is hot in her room). She vomited water with a few kibble a around 12am, then vomited undigested food around 3am. I slept in the room with her on the floor last night (means I didn't get much sleep) because she was screaming bloody murder because I left. Nothing helps except me being there.

I want to bring her to the vet, but don't want to stress her out either! Knowing to much isn't always good :(

So considering I don't know the exact date of her mating, when do I start to worry
 

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This is extremly hard when I don't know her exact mating date! I've put an average of March 1st as they lady told me it was late February, early March. That puts her at 69 days today.

I know to much about the complications that can happen, that I know for the most part I'm being crazy. But if she doesn't have these kittens by Sunday, I guess inducing labor should be the next step?

Her temp went back up yesterday night to 38.2, this morning it's at 37.9 ( it is hot in her room). She vomited water with a few kibble a around 12am, then vomited undigested food around 3am. I slept in the room with her on the floor last night (means I didn't get much sleep) because she was screaming bloody murder because I left. Nothing helps except me being there.

I want to bring her to the vet, but don't want to stress her out either! Knowing to much isn't always good


So considering I don't know the exact date of her mating, when do I start to worry
Cats manage an a little too long pregnancy better than humans, so its in part a  human problem, not cat problem.

The other side is the vice versa: kittens dont manage well early deliveries, being premature is a deadly threat.

As your counting shows, the kittens should be done, however you count its well into the 60-ties.  This means, if you and your vet decide its time to induce labor, or even make a cesarean, it shouldnt be dangerous for the kittens.

Is your vet decently experienced with obstetrics?   Many vets arent.

If he is, the advice is easy: phone him and discuss through the alternatives.   If he advises induction or even cesarean, its OK from me.

Good luck!
 
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silverphoenix69

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The vets I work with have done them before. The problem is the other tech is pregnant herself and I would have to help with the anesthesia

I know Im probably over reacting, but it's hard when I know of all the compactions that can happen, hell I usually only see the comlacatios! Other than my own cat, and bottle feeding stays or abandoned kittens, you don't see much of the labor part from a clinic.

I think I'll leave it to sunday, see if she goes into labor herself.

I'm still hoping for today. She's trying to get out of her room, and I'm pretty sure she didn't sleep at all last night. resperate seems high, and she's walking around crying even with me in here with her

What is a normal resperate of a cat going into labor?

Thank you Stefanz! I must seem like a crazy, but even though I haven't had her long, I'm a worried mama for her. Just want to take away her pain and being uncomfortable
 
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Sounds like she is likely in pre-labor or early stage labor. She will have these babies soon. You may be worrying too much. Usually cats do just fine without intervention. You are good to stay with her. I note you said whelping box. The word for cats is queening. The box looks ideal. Your cat is probably a few less days than you think she is. If it were early March it could be anytime the first week, which would put her to a slightly lower number and thus explain the few days' differential. Good luck!
 
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silverphoenix69

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LOL queening box? I guess whelping box is for dogs? Oops thanks!!

I was thinking pre or early labor. She hasn't had any discharge from her vulva, and she's been doing this for 1-2 days now.

While I type this she went into the other box i have for her (half a carrier), which she hasn't done before. Resperste is fast, but still no signs of contractions

Thanks for calming me down a bit!
 
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silverphoenix69

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I have panting!!

But her temp is 38.1, does the temp not always drop?

She's pacing and crying. She hasn't had any vaginal discharge at all (plug, water ect). Resp rate is high

Labor? Ahhh!
 
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