Need opinion

Well I posted in wrong forum originally so here I am hoping I am doing it right this time. We are new here, but not to pregnant cats. It has been over 6 years since I myself have had one though. We found her in our trash one night in the rain. We took her in and waited for someone to claim her with no luck. Took her to the vet to get her shots and spayed to find out she is pregnant. LOL, Yeah!!! WE are okay with that, we  knew it was a risk when we took her in. The vet isn't familiar with pregnant cats but he did do all he could. She is fine and healthy. Problem is is she is a LARGE cat so we have heard 3 kittens and now 7 kittens. I am hoping someone can tell me if they have an idea of how far along she might be. Because one day she nests and wont eat. While others she wants to play and eats more than it seems she can fit. She has been outside probably most of her life. The neighbors were frightened of her in the past because she is a polydactyl. No one has claimed her so she is ours. But please I implore you to help. I have been reading this site for the last month and it has helped me plenty. Thank you in advance.

 

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The photo on top and bottom were on Wednesday, the middle one today. If I get to close with camera she tries to chew on it, and just purrs.   

She is one lucky gal to have you caring for her! She also sounds very sweet!

How long have you had her?

It's really hard to guess when she's due based on the pictures. When you talk about how many kittens, are you guessing?

Ah, I see you've had her for more than a month already.

Did you notice whether her nipples were pink when you first brought her in?

Did she receive any vaccines or none because she was pregnant?

Well, she's at least half way though her pregnancy.  Can you see the kittens moving?

The collar, its a common collar with reflexes for outgoing cats, or its some sort of flea collar?

Do not use flea collars.

And please dont let her out, not before the kittens are born and happily weaned!

The vet gave us estimates and he was the one who put collar on her. I'll be sure to take it off. He gave us 4 to 7 weeks he's seen her twice. They move like mad, she is extremely aggressive and playful at night. It's quite funny, I can't even leave the room without her cries. The vet has done both an ultrasound and an X ray but his numbers change on the times we've seen him. We've had her for almost a month now and she has grown into a balloon. Thank you I am new to sites, I usually call my mother for help but am unable to now, she herself was a vet. I will keep you all informed as time goes, just tonight she started ripping apart her box and moving around what we've given her.

Well, she looks pretty big, but sounds like the vet had no idea really. She may have a couple weeks left since you're seeing movement.

Did she look pregnant at all when you brought her in?

Well to be honest there are so many cats and kittens in the area u can't tell who is or who has just had. She felt big when she came in and the vet said he found bone in her poop so we know she was eating everything outside. This won't be the first animal I've seen pregnant but she is already such a large cat for only about 2 yrs old. You don't really see kicking you see alien movement in her abdomen, lol. The vet said last week she had about a week or two. I will let u all know as soon as it does happen. Thanks for everyone's help. It's hard when u just don't know. I am not even allowed to sleep these last few days because she wants me all the time.i have to leave one of my kids with her when I cook. Sorry done rambling.

It's okay. We enjoy hearing from you.

Oh and to answer the vaccine question no he did do a poop test and once kittens are born everyone is going in based on bday. Then she will be fixed and given all her shots as well as the little ones. As to her teats they were pink and swollen when we got her, yet it's hart to tell due to the hundred or so cats in our neighbourhood. We have a group of 6 kittens that attack the raccoons that are about 4 months old so hence my confusion

It's good he did no vaccines while she's pregnant, as they can be harmful to the unborn kittens.

If her nipples were already swollen when you got her that means she was at least 3 weeks along then. That, along with the 5 weeks you have had her, puts her at 8 weeks at least. So he's right. A week or two.

It sounds like there is a stray/feral cat problem in your neighborhood. That's sad. It would be great if you and your neighbors could work with an organization like the Humane Society to trap, neuter, and release (TNR). It would help to get the population under control.

Desi1323 said:

The vet gave us estimates and he was the one who put collar on her. I'll be sure to take it off. He gave us 4 to 7 weeks he's seen her twice. They move like mad, she is extremely aggressive and playful at night. It's quite funny, I can't even leave the room without her cries. The vet has done both an ultrasound and an X ray but his numbers change on the times we've seen him. We've had her for almost a month now and she has grown into a balloon. Thank you I am new to sites, I usually call my mother for help but am unable to now, she herself was a vet. I will keep you all informed as time goes, just tonight she started ripping apart her box and moving around what we've given her.

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There are flea collars which possibly are OK.  I have seen the big medical concern Bayer produces some flea collars.  And Bayer makes much human medicines and veterinary medicines, so they dont afford to get a  bad reputation. Thus, my guess is their collars should be OK.

But otherwise, many flea collars has the worst possible reputation.  Not only killing all small life around - killing off everyting in a pond if the cat or dog takes a swim - but also, cats tends to be sick from them...  Although dogs seems to manage them somewhat better.

So, normally, we do have a big warning against flea collar.

Advantage II or Revolution are better choice.  Revolution has some other brandnames...  There are even variations for high pregs cats.

We have talked to the humane society, due to the mountains and cliff we live near by they are more worried about the other animals as well. If it isn't cats, its beavers, ( I think could be otters lol) raccoon, opossums, and bobcats. Near our home is about 20 acres of open land and hills. Our landlord doesn't care as long as it isn't yours. He is a jerk, we just had to have the humane society come and get 3 newborns and a cat that were on our porch. Queen was deceased and the kittens were 2 or 3 days old. They were attacked by something. It was quiet sad. So we are pleased we are able to save what we can. A few of us have saved about 30 in the last 3 years. They are impossible to catch. When someone moves they leave their cats behind and the cycle starts anew.  

Another question, I am sorry I'm asking so much.  She will not let me be. I can't sleep, use the bathroom, I can't do anything without her cries. She chirps a lot when you touch her and she sleeping like a log. Is this normal, I grew up with a mother as a vet on a farm out in cali, and I've helped in a delivery but it was years and years ago. Is there a reason a stray is so dependent on me and is clinging to me all the time? (not a stray anymore)

She's probably in pain and scared.  You are her comfort.

It's insecurity in an extremely sensitive cat. She's afraid you will leave her.

I took in two different strays that I had for nearly 17 years apiece, who followed me everywhere and could not let me out of their sight. It's sad. It did improve somewhat over the years, but it never completely went away. I imagine it's currently magnified in your cat due to the pregnancy.

Thank you everyone who has helped so far she decided about 20 minutes ago to lay in her litter box and lick herself. Took me a few minutes to convince her out. She is now purring and chirping in her bed/box and they are moving around like mad.

I wanted to say thank you again for everyone who helped me. This morning while petting her I noticed her nipples were wet. I didn't try and mess around she is still new to this house and I don't want to anger her. When all is said and done, we will see how accurate the Vet was lol. Thank you again. 

Well we had the litter this morning, she is doing well and gave birth to 5 kittens and we are still waiting as she is still having contractions. They are all orange tabbys so far and I'll post pics when I can. This site is so helpful as is everyone on here.

Congratulations! I love orange tabbies! They are generally very sweet, easy-going cats.

She may have after pains for awhile, or could be another kitten. Make sure they all get latched and nursing soon, and keep us posted .