Rescued a cat, is she pregnant?

My partner and I recently took in a cat we found, abandoned in a box by a pond. We immediately took her to the vets to find out that she was female and fully grown. This was approximately three weeks ago. We have kept her indoors due to her not being spayed yet (we were planning on making an appointment for that in a couple of weeks, but now we are not sure) and we have no other cats that she could access. We worm her and flea her regularly, alongside showering her with affection. She's an otherwise healthy and happy kitty. About a week after rescuing her, we noticed her stomach was swelling. Over the past couple of weeks, it has grown and her nipples have raised. Her stomach is firm and bulbous, and occasionally you can feel bumped objects inside. We are going to take her to a vet next week, but would love it if someone would be able to check her from the photos attached. Our main concern is that she may have worms (despite regular deworming) or is ailed. I have taken pictures of our little Gizmo, including some of her nipples which I suspect have pinked up. Thank you so much in advance

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I'm no expert but I'll pass some info that has been given to me until someone more knowledgeable comes around...

On worming: did the vet do a fecal sample? That's the only way to know which worms to treat. Not all worming treatments treat all worms. After you worm her, are you seeing adult worms in her stool? A pregnant belly may cover up a wormy belly. Queens can pass worms to their litter through the milk. Is she healthy otherwise? Up to date on vaccines?

ellieandwinnie said:

On worming: did the vet do a fecal sample? That's the only way to know which worms to treat. Not all worming treatments treat all worms. After you worm her, are you seeing adult worms in her stool? A pregnant belly may cover up a wormy belly. Queens can pass worms to their litter through the milk. Is she healthy otherwise? Up to date on vaccines?

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Thank you so much for your help. They didn't do a stool sample, but we do check frequently and I've never seen any indication of worms. It's just the thought that she could be ill that worries me so much

thebelljar said:

Thank you so much for your help. They didn't do a stool sample, but we do check frequently and I've never seen any indication of worms. It's just the thought that she could be ill that worries me so much

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I would suggest asking the vet to do a sample. There are other parasites that can be found in the stool as well. Which worming product are you using? Since your kitty was a stray it's almost certain she has worms, but no telling which one. Also, you may not see evidence of worms in her stool if you're treating a worm she doesn't have. If she has something else, only eggs would be present and therefore not really visible. Do you have any other pets? Worms can be contagious.

She does have quite the belly, I would say pregnancy is a safe bet (an advisor will come along and let you know what they think). Do you and your partner have any experience with newborn kittens? No need to be shy, I do not have experience either but we have a community full of wonderful, intelligent, experienced cat parents that can coach you through this if you need it. While we wait for an advisor to come along you could look at some of the other threads here. Lots of examples for you to read and learn about caring for your cat and her possible kittens.

You have come to the right place! Welcome!

By the way - A big thank you to you and your partner for taking her in!

ellieandwinnie said:

By the way - A big thank you to you and your partner for taking her in!

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Thank you so much for all the help! I really appreciate it!
I will definitely get the vet to get a stool sample analysed asap, to rid her of any parasites and/or worms. I can't remember the name of the brand from the top of my head (currently in work) but we buy it from the vet surgery directly, and it's my understanding that it is general and not specific to a certain type of worm.
I will definitely look for some help on here for kitten care, I want to make sure the queen and kitties are as happy and healthy as can be! I have set up a nesting box for her until we take her to the vets.
There's no need to thank me, I just did what anyone would do. She's such a lovely little thing.

That's great! I'm just going to tag some advisors so they see your post catwoman707 Sarthur2 StefanZ

May I ask why you are concerned about worms?  Cats are usually given 2 doses of deworming meds 2-3 weeks apart.  Make sure the medicine is safe  for pregnant cats.

If you can remember what day her nipples changed, I think that is day 21 of her pregnancy.  When you can see the kittens move she has 2-3 weeks to go.

She is a beautiful cat!  did the vet give a estimate of her age?

There are articles at the top of this forum regarding pregnancy and the birthing process.  There are also articles re: worms.  Click the articles tab, then the health tab.

My think she is preg, and my guess is she got dumped after her "misbehaving" when in heat.  It takes often a toll on the humans!   

I suppose a spaying now is no alternative for you?   Not pleasant, but talking medically, its still doable if the vet is any experienced surgeon.

Good you dewormed her, with an all round dewormed bought at the vets.   Doing it twice is wise, esp as  round worms may go over to the kittens with the milk.

So its just to begin and ready yourself, and prepare  as well as you can!

Tx for helping this little sis of ours!

@ellieandwinnie    you dont need to be so modest, any forumist is welcome to participate, and we team members are essentially participating forumists we too.  We dont have monoply on giving advices.

If you do have a comment or advice you know is useful to the poster, just share and come with it.  

StefanZ said:

@ellieandwinnie
   you dont need to be so modest, any forumist is welcome to participate, and we team members are essentially participating forumists we too.  We dont have monoply on giving advices.
If you do have a comment or advice you know is useful to the poster, just share and come with it.  

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Thank you I just feel that being so new it's nice to refer back the the trusty advisors. Don't want to have a blind leading the blind situation!

ellieandwinnie said:

Thank you

I just feel that being so new it's nice to refer back the the trusty advisors. Don't want to have a blind leading the blind situation!

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Yes, of course.  Wise of you.   But such was the beginning of all of us experienced forumists.       Some of us began at this forum, others began at others forums way earlier.   So its done.

Very few of us begins as Pallas Athena, coming out from her father Zeus head, in full armor and fully grown up and ready to immediately be the godess of Wisedom, the Art of War, and Protector of Athen.  Most had a more humble beginning.  

End of this OT.  

Love the metaphor!:nod:

Oh yes, prego!

Now there are 2 options, one of course would be to allow her to have the litter, care for them, then get her spayed as well as the kittens, vaccinated, dewormed, etc and either find a cat rescue group to help find homes for them or do it yourself.

Shelter is likely not going to be an option as they are too full for the next several months due to kitten season.

That said, you never know what her delivery will bring, if she will have a milk supply and care for them, if you need to supplement feed them, etc.

The other option is to get her spayed ASAP, now, which will abort the babies, she will be fixed and that is that.

If you can live with yourself okay and understand there are countless kittens being euthanized every day at shelters due to lack of homes, and for every kitten born means that many more will be euthanized from that many less homes.

Personally, I would seriously consider this option. Nobody is okay with aborting, but in the rescue world it is something we have all had to come to terms with as being the best solution.

Either way you go, we are here for support.

Pregnant, and from what you say, approximately 5 weeks along, so around the halfway mark. Cat pregnancy averages about 65 days.

She needs lots of kitten chow and wet food during her pregnancy and lactation. If you continue the pregnancy, you'll need to set up a nesting area or two for her to choose from, preferably in a dark, quiet place such as a closet.

If not, you'll need to ask your vet how far into pregnancy they will spay. It's very kind of you to take her in and give her a home!

Okay; so a month on and our little Gizmo has given birth to five beautiful kitties! Thank you all for your help, we'll wait for mummy to recover before we take her to the vet to get spayed. I have taken some pictures to show you all!