PLEASE HELP

My cat is currently pregnant, and she is very small. She's a year old, but is smaller then your average cat. She has a little discharge, she's not fully dilated, and her nipples aren't filling with milk. Could something be wrong? I'm a little worried, but have set up a nesting box nonetheless.

FloralHippie said:

My cat is currently pregnant, and she is very small. She's a year old, but is smaller then your average cat. She has a little discharge, she's not fully dilated, and her nipples aren't filling with milk. Could something be wrong? I'm a little worried, but have set up a nesting box nonetheless.

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Yeah, prepare as well you can.  Look also up where you can get vet help.

You talk about dilatation, its time for her to deliver? About day 60+?  If its earlier, AND she is beginning to dilate, it may be abortion coming...

Its quite common milk comes quite late, even after the kittens are born.  Its rare the milk doesnt come at all, at least, if the kittens arent premature. With premature kittens sometimes there is no milk.    So the wise owner does have some kmr or goat milk at home, to be prepared.

Please come back with new reports and questions.  Usually here is somebody to answer.

Im sending my links.

Good luck!

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

http://www.pets4homes.co.uk/pet-advice/cat-pregnancy-a-week-by-week-pregnancy-calendar.html

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"  )  

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/hand-rearing-kittens

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

Goats milk is useful instead of kmr. Raw goat milk is best – fresh or frozen,  but bottled /cartooned or  powdered full fat is OK too.

Observe, if an orphan is much bloated, gas-filled, bloated, have colic, simethicone (google on it) may help.  1-2 drop in the bottle.

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

- StefanZ - Thank you so much! You're a life saver!

FloralHippie said:

- StefanZ - Thank you so much! You're a life saver!

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Tx!  But please report how it is going.  You DID mentioned dilatation, and this occurs immediately before a delivery...  So what is happening?   This here is written several hours later, so by now you surely know more.

- StefanZ - her nipples are now becoming a little more enlarged and rosy, however it's only the two lower nipples by her hindquarters. Her vulva seems to be enlarging slowly. My husband thinks that she may go into labor tonight, but I'm thinking she may have a few more days! She keeps wanting to be by me, but right now she is just lounging on the couch and she won't go into the birthing box. I've tried placing her inside the birthing box, but she comes out as soon as I walk away.

StefanZ said:

Tx!  But please report how it is going.  You DID mentioned dilatation, and this occurs immediately before a delivery...  So what is happening?   This here is written several hours later, so by now you surely know more.

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I just timed her for 8 minutes licking her vulva before she came to me again. I took a look at it, and it IS a bit more dilated then last night.

It does sound like she's getting close. Does she have a private place to neat and deliver? She may not want your male cat around.

Also, is he fixed?

talkingpeanut said:

It does sound like she's getting close. Does she have a private place to neat and deliver? She may not want your male cat around.

Also, is he fixed?

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She does! I've set up a beating box in the closet, and she is currently in it. I set the stopwatch, and according to the stopwatch she has been in the box for an hour and 34 minutes! I'm going to start checking in on her every two hours and make sure all is well.
She is set up with a plush doggy bed and a soft blanket. I've made sure nothing in the box will get caught on the kittens claws, I've also set food and water right outside the box, but she hasn't taken an interest in her food since this morning. According to my research, loss of appetite is a sign that she is close to labor. So fingers crossed! [emoji]10083[/emoji][emoji]127882[/emoji][emoji]127868[/emoji]

**•**UPDATE**•**

So, I just checked on my pregnant female, and her anus seems to be dilating. Is this part of the birthing process? She is not in any pain and is lying down in the birthing box.

You might want to post a picture so our advisors can take a look.

This with "slow approach" isnt that most common.  Most often it quies on quicker once they decides its time.  But perhaps you are also more observant than many.   As long as she is fine otherwise, and continuing to prepare, its OK.

What we dont like, is long unsuccesful ACTIVE labor.   In that case you must contact your vet immediately, and be ready to rush in.   The active labor phase is much shorter with cats than with humans.

Anyways, its nearing with every halfhour.

FloralHippie said:

**•**UPDATE**•**

So, I just checked on my pregnant female, and her anus seems to be dilating. Is this part of the birthing process? She is not in any pain and is lying down in the birthing box.

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StefanZ said:

This with "slow approach" isnt that most common.  Most often it quies on quicker once they decides its time.  But perhaps you are also more observant than many.   As long as she is fine otherwise, and continuing to prepare, its OK.
What we dont like, is long unsuccesful ACTIVE labor.   In that case you must contact your vet immediately, and be ready to rush in.   The active labor phase is much shorter with cats than with humans.

Anyways, its nearing with every halfhour.

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Thank you! I've got the vets number and am ready in case we need to run in. Nothing happening yet!