How do I know how close to stay when labouring starts?

I have a very pregnant young cat, Dora, who has been treated with Revolution for fleas and worms. I found a single worm under her litter tray when I was cleaning today. It was about 5 cm long and maybe 2 mm diameter, and red (full of blood). Any idea what this worm could be? Could it have come from her and crawled under the tray somehow? I read that revolution doesn't kill all types of worms. I live in the Middle East and sadly there are dozens of street cats around my flat (happily, they are well fed by myself and my neighbours). I did notice one sneaked in and used the litter tray - so the worm, if it is from a cat, isn't necessarily from my pregnant cat. I don't want to take her to the vet as she appears to be due any day. It's the first worm I've seen here, and as it was in the litter tray area, I'm concerned. 

Background: Dora was found as a tiny lost kitten, during stormy weather. I took her in and planned to spay her when she reached 4 months (according to my estimation). However, before that she started putting on a little weight around her belly, so I took her to the vet, who guessed she was already 3 weeks pregnant. The vet also said she was older than I had thought - maybe 5 months old. I decided to go ahead and spay her, as there are already so many kittens around here that need help, and she is still so young and very small. However, after the vet anaesthetised and shaved her, she realised Dora was further along than she thought, and she could feel the kittens' heads. So on her advice, we decided not to do the operation. Of course, she'll be spayed as soon as possible. So that's how I ended up with a pregnant cat! I have three other rescue cats who were all spayed in time! 

My advice is to check her tushie. Tape worm segments exit the rear and dry up to look like small yellowish grains of rice. They can get embedded in the hair all along her rear end and tail. Also check fresh stool. If the worms came from Dora you'll most likely see them in there.

I recommend drontal, which you can get from your vet. I have no idea if it is okay for a pregnant cat however.

Thanks so much for your reply Inanna. It definitely wasn't a tape worm - I've treated those in other cats and seen them before. I've looked at images of different kinds of worms and it didn't match any of those. This worm was red. I'm probably panicking about nothing - I'm just concerned it's some strange species that is immune to the Revolution treatment Dora's had. 

I'm a first-time grandma and my cat is due any day now (although I've been obsessively seeing signs and convinced she's been about to go into labour everyday for the last 2 weeks!). She's a very young cat, taken in from the street. She's very close to me, but lately switches between being my shadow and being very skittish and running away from me. I've read here that it's important to keep a close eye on the labour, but I've also read that some cats will stop labouring or get distressed if they are interrupted. My MiL said she might eat the kittens if she's disturbed! So my question is, how do I know whether to leave her alone or sit by her when labour actually starts?

Background: Dora was found as a tiny lost kitten, during stormy weather. I took her in and planned to spay her when she reached 4 months (according to my estimation). However, before that she started putting on a little weight around her belly, so I took her to the vet, who guessed she was already 3 weeks pregnant. The vet also said she was older than I had thought - maybe 5 months old. I decided to go ahead and spay her, as there are already dozens of cats and kittens around here that need help (i live in the Middle East and there is only one shelter in my city, and it's a kill shelter). After the vet anaesthetised Dora and shaved her, she realised Dora was further along than she thought, and she could feel the kittens' heads. So on her advice, we decided not to do the operation. Of course, she'll be spayed as soon as possible. So that's how I ended up with a pregnant cat. I have three other rescue cats who were all spayed in time! 

Bless you for saving her! Most cats will let you know what they want. Since you've raised her, she likely trusts you very much. Most cats usually like their special human nearby during labor, but are quite capable of handling things themselves. Just keep an eye out, but try not to stress too much, as cats pick up on it. Follow her lead! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Thanks sarthur2 for your advice - I'll try to stop stressing! She's so small I can't imagine her being a mother but hopefully it will be clear what she wants when it happens! 

The worm sounds like it could be a round worm (or a portion of it).  Like you said, Revolution does not cover all types but usually does cover rounds. However, if there is a significant amount sometimes the Revolution is not strong enough to kill them all. Did your vet give you a guess as to how far along she is? There are a select few dewormers that are gentle enough to use while a cat is pregnant or nursing but I would make sure you consult the vet before you give her anything (including the Revolution).

Thanks rescuedfamily! ! I'll ask the vet if there is a dewormer I can use while she's nursing. 

The vet initially thought Dora was around 3 weeks pregnant, then after shaving off her very long hair, she said she could be 7 weeks. That was almost 4 weeks ago so she must have been wrong about that. I spent the last two weeks at home waiting for labour anyway. Still waiting! She's showing all the signs of imminent labour except for milk, so I'm sure the kittens will be here soon! 

UPDATE: She was miaowing in her room, I went in and saw a kitten hanging out from her behind and water all over the floor! I tried to guide her to the box but she starting going crazy, spinning around in circles with the kitten hanging out. I tried not to panic and left the room. When I left, she calmed down and got in the box, and I am watching from the door. As far as I can see, she's had two kittens so far, she has cleaned them and they appear to be feeding. The kittens were both very vocal when they came out but now they're quiet - I hope because they're eating. I'm desperate to get a closer look but she is calm now and I think she wants to be left alone. I'm mostly paranoid that if I disturb her she'll eat them! 

DoraAQ said:

 
UPDATE: She was miaowing in her room, I went in and saw a kitten hanging out from her behind and water all over the floor! I tried to guide her to the box but she starting going crazy, spinning around in circles with the kitten hanging out. I tried not to panic and left the room. When I left, she calmed down and got in the box, and I am watching from the door. As far as I can see, she's had two kittens so far, she has cleaned them and they appear to be feeding. The kittens were both very vocal when they came out but now they're quiet - I hope because they're eating. I'm desperate to get a closer look but she is calm now and I think she wants to be left alone. I'm mostly paranoid that if I disturb her she'll eat them! 

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And we have 5 lovely kittens! After weeks of obsessively reading about and watching for the signs, she didn't show any today, then just popped them out. She gave a little grunt before each one slipped out and had five in less then two hours. Very well done, especially for a mum so young herself!

Yes! Very well done! Just give her reassurance and put food and water nearby for now. It can take new moms a couple of days to fully settle in. Glad all is well! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

sarthur2 said:

Yes! Very well done! Just give her reassurance and put food and water nearby for now. It can take new moms a couple of days to fully settle in. Glad all is well! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

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Thanks! I stressed a lot more than she did - she's curled up purring with them and they all appear to be nursing. She has food, water and her litter tray so I'll leave her to it for now.  One more quick question - there is a little bit of mess in her box, and her waters broke all over the floor in her room. How long should I leave it to change the newspaper and blankets in her box, and clean the floor? 

Go ahead and clean the floor. I would change the bedding in the nest at the first opportunity. Perhaps when mom gets up to eat. Have the bedding ready to go in. Put the kittens on it, pull out old bedding, and quickly put new bedding with kittens back in. Mom won't like being disturbed, but she'll settle back down once you leave the room.

Here's a photo of mum feeding her babies - hopefully I'll get some better pics later - but you can see their little faces!

So sweet! [emoji]128149[/emoji]

Have you had a chance to change the bedding yet?

sarthur2 said:

So sweet! [emoji]128149[/emoji]

Have you had a chance to change the bedding yet?

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Still not yet - she hasn't left the box since she had them, she's purring and nursing 

My cat did not leave the box for almost 12 hours after delivering. I actually fed and watered her in the nest by holding the bowls for her. But I did change the bedding, though she was annoyed with me. Just do it when you can. Or maybe try to slip a dry blanket under them.

My rescue cat gave birth today, four are healthy but the fifth has twisted back legs. I called two vets here (I'm in the Middle East) - they both said either he/she would die naturally, or should be euthanised. He/she is nursing well, and otherwise seems healthy. I read that it's possible that kittens can heal with physiotherapy - does anyone have any experience of this?

I'm keen to try quickly as I understand it's more effective the earlier it starts, and they are around 8 hours old now. His/her mum got very distressed when I picked him/her up for this photo: 

@@catwoman707 can you advise?

Yes, I believe you should start to gently massage the legs back into position as soon as possible. Hopefully it's just that the ligaments are too tight and not a deformity. Do the massaging several times a day starting now.

DoraAQ said:

 
My rescue cat gave birth today, four are healthy but the fifth has twisted back legs. I called two vets here (I'm in the Middle East) - they both said either he/she would die naturally, or should be euthanised. He/she is nursing well, and otherwise seems healthy. I read that it's possible that kittens can heal with physiotherapy - does anyone have any experience of this?

I'm keen to try quickly as I understand it's more effective the earlier it starts, and they are around 8 hours old now. His/her mum got very distressed when I picked him/her up for this photo: 

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These vets advice is correct in many cases - perhaps even most cases of kittens deformities.  But THIS here is one of exceptions. usually twisted legs they get all-right, sometimes even spontaneously.  but a much safer bet is to help out by active massage and physiotherapy gymnastics.  @catwoman707 is very good to explaing how and where.  Im calling on her again, because Im not sure the calling above "took", the letters arent blue there.

I want to add, before you start the massage session, be sure the legs are warm!  Warm them up with something, your hands at least.   also, begin each session with small movements, before you press on a little more.   So its warming up stepwise.

Do everything near the mom, so she notices you arent harming her baby and the baby is near.   Although if the baby protests much, you must do it a little aside.

On the other hand, such gimnastics shouldnt be painful, if its pain, you do too much.   Having the tissues nicely warmed up helps of course.