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Adopted by a pregnant cat in the middle of a move
- Thread starter garnermeg
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Just for fun this is our other pretty kitty, who turned up under our bushes as a 3-4wk old kitten a few years ago. She's not thrilled about our new family member but they seem to have reached a kind of truce, thankfully. (Mama's nesting area is isolated from the other pets, don't worry!)
Aww, what a sweet girl she is. I think all of your questions have been answered, so all I will say is good luck! I have two rescue biological sisters who are both due at the same time (yippee haha!), they're almost 7 weeks along. It seems like March will be a month of kitties! I can't wait to see pictures of yours
I think I figured out how to post some photos! The one above is her being adorable a few days after she first joined us.
That one is her yesterday letting it all hang out
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So just to be clear, when we say "could be soon" are we talking "any day now" soon or "in a week or two" soon? The mucus plug coming out made me think it should be any day now, but I'm seeing other threads where mama cats look to be about at her same stage and people are saying 2-3 weeks to go.
I can definitely see and feel the kittens moving around, but I don't know when that started as I wasn't looking for it/paying attention to it before finding this forum and reading about what to expect. She was skin and bones when I brought her in and her belly grew immediately, noticeably much bigger every day, and that was starting feb8, but I have no way of knowing if it would have been bigger already had she not been starving, or if the timing was coincidental. Her nipples have been big and noticeable for over 2 weeks. I noticed rippling contractions for the first time today and have seen them a few times over the afternoon but no other irregularities.
I'm uploading a few photos to try and show her size. She's a very very petite cat so her belly doesn't look that large compared to some photos I have seen, but it feels very tight and full so it may be large for her frame? As you can see in the photo she still jumps up on counters but she's not nearly as graceful doing so as usual, and she basically only gets up when she wants food water or litter box, otherwise she's constantly lying down.
Man, this guessing game is tough! Any help is much appreciated!
I can definitely see and feel the kittens moving around, but I don't know when that started as I wasn't looking for it/paying attention to it before finding this forum and reading about what to expect. She was skin and bones when I brought her in and her belly grew immediately, noticeably much bigger every day, and that was starting feb8, but I have no way of knowing if it would have been bigger already had she not been starving, or if the timing was coincidental. Her nipples have been big and noticeable for over 2 weeks. I noticed rippling contractions for the first time today and have seen them a few times over the afternoon but no other irregularities.
I'm uploading a few photos to try and show her size. She's a very very petite cat so her belly doesn't look that large compared to some photos I have seen, but it feels very tight and full so it may be large for her frame? As you can see in the photo she still jumps up on counters but she's not nearly as graceful doing so as usual, and she basically only gets up when she wants food water or litter box, otherwise she's constantly lying down.
Man, this guessing game is tough! Any help is much appreciated!
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Do you know when you first noticed the babies moving?
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A few days ago, but like I said I wasn't paying attention or looking for it before then bc I didn't know I would be able to see and feel them. She's a very affectionate cat but she likes to just be near you, not so much to be petted too much, so I haven't had my hands on her belly a lot, ya know?
So yeah, I first noticed a few days ago but that was also the first time I felt for it/looked for it, and it was very pronounced visually and by touch, not subtle at all, lol.
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You normally feel the kittens moving 2-3 weeks before birth. I would say that given the contractions you've seen and the mucus plug she is probably closer to delivering within the week. It's hard to say.
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You can have the vet x-ray her to see how many and what stage of development if you really want to know. Otherwise it's a waiting game. A syringe is much easier to use, by the way! [emoji]128522[/emoji]
I agree with @talkingpeanutThanks! Yeah I know it's just guesswork, but I appreciate any thoughts!
It sounds like she's close, you never really know unless you're given the exact date she was first mated with. If it was indeed her mucous plug, I would guess no longer than week to go.
If she's cooperative, start taking her rectal temperature, a 98F reading is a sure sign that she's in labour, and active labour will follow within hours or even minutes. I've read that some people say this sign isn't too reliable, but I've taken in over 20 pregnant cats and this was always the #1 sign for me, without fail. Even in dogs! So once I get that temp drop, that's when I start bracing myself for everything. Hard contractions are hard to miss, and cats will let you know that they're feeling every second of pain. You will see the abdomen fully tighten and then relax, tighten and relax, mama cat will also kind of "jiggle" her bum, to help expel the kitten. Kitten should be born within a few contractions. If mama is straining for a half hour to an hour and kitten is noticibly stuck or unborn, contact your vet immediately.
Cats do just fine with labouring on their own. Complications are only really high in broad-headed breeds like Persians.
Most importantly, I know the wait is long and hard, but try to distract yourself! I always get caught up in it too so I really can't preach, but just try not to stress too much. They'll be here running around and destroying the place in no time, you'll wish mama cat was still pregnant with them haha!
Good luck[emoji]128513[/emoji][emoji]128568[/emoji]
Here's my two sweeties![emoji]128571[/emoji]Oh my goodness two litters at once, you'll be drowning in kittens! Hope you're able to find them all good homes, assuming you won't be keeping them all.
Definitely can't wait to see photos!
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Awwwww those little white noses! So precious!Here's my two sweeties![emoji]128571[/emoji]
And wow they are due at the same time? The grey looks much bigger than her sister. Just goes to show how differently different cats can carry, I guess!
Alternatively, you can measure in the armpit of the foreleg. Less invasive, and you can pretend its a new game to play. This is not fully as exact as the rectal, but fair enough. The temp in there is about 3F lower than in rectum, so its good to know what the normal temp is.
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Still no change, guessing we probably have a little while to go yet. Mama basically just eats and sleeps at this point, poor thing must be worn out already!
Her milk hasn't come in yet and no other signs of impending labor so we're just hanging in there.
Her milk hasn't come in yet and no other signs of impending labor so we're just hanging in there.
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- #37
Well, mama has suddenly developed an obsession with the dog door that leads to the Great Outdoors. She's shown no interest in it up till now, probably a nesting behavior but it means I have to start keeping it closed. Poor pups!
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Yes, definitely important to keep her in until she is spayed. She will likely go into heat and try to get out soon after the kittens are born too.
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- #39
Noticed some discharge last night, and she's definitely nesting now and wants me nearby all the time. But her milk hasn't come in yet, and no contractions or anything. She's just a kitten tease! Haha
At this point she's confined to the spare room (where I made a few nest options for her to choose from and there's a bed for me to sleep in). Hurry up, kittens!
At this point she's confined to the spare room (where I made a few nest options for her to choose from and there's a bed for me to sleep in). Hurry up, kittens!
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Yeah, I'll have to either keep her confined or find another way to let the other animals in and out without risking her making a run for it.
I have to wait until kittens are weaned to spay her though, right, as it will stop her milk production?
