Labor Signs or False Pregnancy? General Advice?

krystal donahue

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So, let's start off with how this happened. We ended up getting this girl from a cat horder that we used to live with. She passed her off to us when we decided to move out because she knew how attached the cat was to us. We thought as she was almost two at the time that she had been spayed, especially since she had a litter when she was really young making her growth stunted. Imagine my surprise a couple of days ago, when I see she has some very pink nipples and what looks like a softball below her stomach.

We have two boys in the house, both neutered, and from what I'm reading I know we'll have to separate them soon.

What happened was as we were moving into our new place (November 15th). All the cats escaped due to a door not closing properly. We thought very little of it and tried to get them all back in a s fast as possible. We got the boys in pretty quick and then she was hiding under the trailer refusing to come out.

We put canned food out to try and lure her and got her in about 6 to 7 hours after the escape and didn't think anything of it. Just to be clear, once the litter is born we plan to have her spayed ASAP.

My boyfriend says he's sure she's pregnant. Today, she's started making little chirp like sounds, exposing her belly, and wandering around the house, which from what I read means signs of heat. I haven't seen her do it before, but her nipples are really pink and starting to hang low, she is licking herself down there a lot, and she is bowing out at her sides.

He's going to pick up some things like a box. We already had kitten formula as we had to feed it to her one time when she was sick. We have syringe and a bottle to feed the babies just in case.

I'm more looking for advice as this is my first pregnancy with a cat. Is this a real pregnancy? A false one? Is she going into labor? We plan on getting her to a vet as soon as we can to get her checked out, but knowing if I need to be focused on last minute prep. For example, sleeping in the room we want her to nest in and keeping her out of rooms. Things like that. Thank you in advance!

Also here's a cute video of the mom playing fetch with me:

 
 
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StefanZ

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15 nov, it gives about 2 weeks now to go. You should be able to feel the kittens move now.    If  you dont, she either got preg later on, or its a false pregnancy...

If you do have access to a vet, and ARE planning to check her up soon, do so.  Dont let him take x-rays if there are no complcations, its quite costly if nothing else.

Ultrasound is good enough, and palpitation too if he is any decent.

If the cats are good friends, you dont need to separate them.   Being separated from her good friends is too a stressing moment...  But of course, if you see they do bother her, or she nned to be left alone, separate without thinking much.

Here some links.

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.thecatsite.com/a/pregnancy-and-delivery-in-cats

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"  )  
 
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krystal donahue

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I've actually read a fair amount of those articles, but thank you for all the references. Unfortunately as it is getting closer the boys are trying to play relatively rough with her. She is very close to one of them and that's why we haven't separated. I've read a lot that males also will kill the kittens if given the opportunity which is why we were planing separation to begin with.

'

The main wait on the vet is I had to get a new card and we have to find one that will accept that card but we are looking into it atm. I just would rather be prepared so maybe I'll worry a bit less.
 

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The things you describe...chirping, wandering around the house and exposing her belly really don't scream "I'm in heat" to me. Cats in heat will roll on the floor, stick their butts in the air and are often VERY vocal (they holler...not just the little chirps/trills.)

As for males killing the kittens...
This is rare and typically happens with feral cats.

Now, I wouldn't leave your males alone with the kittens (some cats just do not like kittens or they may try to play too rough with them); but, supervised visits (if mom tolerates this) after the kittens are born should be fine, especially if the boys are the more laidback/chill type.

If she is 6+ wks along, the vet can do an x-ray to determine if she is pregnant or not. Another option is ultrasound if they have one.

As a side note...
Coming from a hoarding situation, has she been combo tested since coming to live with you? I'd have this done anyway since it appears she mated when she escaped. Also, has she been dewormed? Treated for fleas? (There are only certain flea medications that are safe to use on pregnant/lactating cats.)
 
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krystal donahue

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Another worrying concern I have is the fact that since the person who gave her to us lied about her being spayed that she may have also lied about her having shots. I know that kittens get antibodies from their mother and I'm wondering if there is anything we can do? I know most vaccines are not good while she is pregnant but maybe something we could feed her to help them.
 
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krystal donahue

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Unfortunately, we were planning to wait until February to take her for a full check as we had very little money around Christmas as our boys needed shots renewed anyway. We had flea combed her after we left the place and just before we left we dewormed all the cats in that house at our own expense. 
The things you describe...chirping, wandering around the house and exposing her belly really don't scream "I'm in heat" to me. Cats in heat will roll on the floor, stick their butts in the air and are often VERY vocal (they holler...not just the little chirps/trills.)

As for males killing the kittens...
This is rare and typically happens with feral cats.

Now, I wouldn't leave your males alone with the kittens (some cats just do not like kittens or they may try to play too rough with them); but, supervised visits (if mom tolerates this) after the kittens are born should be fine, especially if the boys are the more laidback/chill type.

If she is 6+ wks along, the vet can do an x-ray to determine if she is pregnant or not. Another option is ultrasound if they have one.

As a side note...
Coming from a hoarding situation, has she been combo tested since coming to live with you? I'd have this done anyway since it appears she mated when she escaped. Also, has she been dewormed? Treated for fleas? (There are only certain flea medications that are safe to use on pregnant/lactating cats.)
 

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Did you give the dewormer once or also give a 2nd dose 2 - 3 weeks later?  the 2nd dose takes care of the eggs the cat carried that the 1st dose didn't kill.  I think if she had fleas you would know by now and they would be everywhere! 

She'll let you and the boys know when she has had enough and doesn't want to be around them.  She is going to need a lot of food so she has enough for the kittens development now and while nursing.  Kitten food is best because it has extra nutrients and fat for the kittens.  Feed both wet and dry, as much as she wants.

Keep using this thread for questions.
 

Sarthur2

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It is not safe for a pregnant cat to be vaccinated. She can be vaccinated when she is spayed when the kittens are about 8 weeks old.

She definitely sounds pregnant from your description.
 
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krystal donahue

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Yes, we did give her a second dose 2 to 3 weeks afterwards. Sorry it took me so long to reply. Thank you for the information about vaccinations. I just got woken up to her making a very sharp growling like sound. Is this normal? Neither of the boys are near her and she's just rubbing against my legs. She did it one other time after I woke up.
 

StefanZ

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Yes, we did give her a second dose 2 to 3 weeks afterwards. Sorry it took me so long to reply. Thank you for the information about vaccinations. I just got woken up to her making a very sharp growling like sound. Is this normal? Neither of the boys are near her and she's just rubbing against my legs. She did it one other time after I woke up.
I guess its precontractions.  Quite common and normal, a way of Mother Nature to strenghen up and prepare her abdomen muscles, before the real work begins.  This happens also with women, and there is a fancy name for it.   :)

Re teh dangers from males. The danger is real with toms whom dont know her, whom are totally new to her.  Such toms may kill the kittens yes.

Friends and toms whom know her arent no real danger.  That said, quite a few adult cats are afraid of kittens - and its not sure they will contend with just some hissing.  They CAN wipe too...  So that is why, if unsure, do watch out on the first meetings.  Moms happily allowing their presence is of course another sign.
 
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krystal donahue

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I guess its precontractions.  Quite common and normal, a way of Mother Nature to strenghen up and prepare her abdomen muscles, before the real work begins.  This happens also with women, and there is a fancy name for it.   :)

Re teh dangers from males. The danger is real with toms whom dont know her, whom are totally new to her.  Such toms may kill the kittens yes.

Friends and toms whom know her arent no real danger.  That said, quite a few adult cats are afraid of kittens - and its not sure they will contend with just some hissing.  They CAN wipe too...  So that is why, if unsure, do watch out on the first meetings.  Moms happily allowing their presence is of course another sign.
Thank you! It was a very frightening sound. I nearly jumped out of my skin.

The boys are rough playing together, and after discussing the boyfriend and I are planning basically supervised interactions between them for the first little while. Generally, all of them are calm but active and playful.
 
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krystal donahue

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So today our neutered males have started trying to mount the pregnant female. I mean if we catch them we've been getting them off her, but is this a sign we should seperate them or at least if we can't supervise have them seperated?
 

Sarthur2

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I would separate them. They are attracted by the strong hormones she is giving off, but she does not need to be mounted.
 
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