Pregnant Foster Cat?

Hi all,
I have had a young small skinny foster cat arrive with bad cat flu a fortnight ago, I don't know much of her back story other than she was in the pound with her own kittens who were weaning so they were removed and she had been used as a surrogate for a 2 week old litter of four and a random 4 week old kitten who refused to wean.

She had been sneezing for 2 days before I got her, the next day I took her to the vet for flu as the kittens were so young and mum seemed so sick and mouth breathing - he didn't feel for pregnancy but assured me even if she was they would be lost with her high temperatures. Kittens are now being hand reared (we lost one) after mum stopped eating last week and lost interest in them but now she is just sneezing but showing lots of pregnancy behaviours. She has a tiny bit of remaining milk - her nipples are pointy and pink, she is following us around constantly, in drawers and in cupboards and so loving yet not yowling or presenting and not trying to get outside.. she is still on anti Bs and still occasionally sneezing. Her shelter weight says 3kg a fortnight ago yet weighing her today she is 3.3kg and she has a belly which she didn't have - how likely is it that she's managed to get/ stay pregnant in this scenario?
I don't know how I feel about aborting now if the expanding belly is from kittens as they would be 4 weeks :/

jenfoster said:

Hi all,
I have had a young small skinny foster cat arrive with bad cat flu a fortnight ago, I don't know much of her back story other than she was in the pound with her own kittens who were weaning so they were removed and she had been used as a surrogate for a 2 week old litter of four and a random 4 week old kitten who refused to wean.

She had been sneezing for 2 days before I got her, the next day I took her to the vet for flu as the kittens were so young and mum seemed so sick and mouth breathing - he didn't feel for pregnancy but assured me even if she was they would be lost with her high temperatures. Kittens are now being hand reared (we lost one) after mum stopped eating last week and lost interest in them but now she is just sneezing but showing lots of pregnancy behaviours. She has a tiny bit of remaining milk - her nipples are pointy and pink, she is following us around constantly, in drawers and in cupboards and so loving yet not yowling or presenting and not trying to get outside.. she is still on anti Bs and still occasionally sneezing. Her shelter weight says 3kg a fortnight ago yet weighing her today she is 3.3kg and she has a belly which she didn't have - how likely is it that she's managed to get/ stay pregnant in this scenario?
I don't know how I feel about aborting now if the expanding belly is from kittens as they would be 4 weeks :/

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HOW likely its a real pregnancy, I dont know.  But your vet was sure the foster couldnt fare well from the high temp she had.  So if they survived this harsh condition, the danger is probably big they got hurt in the process...

4 weeks is good into the pregnancy, but for example, the moment when most pro-abort accept, is when they begin to feel the kittens move. Here is the limit for most, unless really really desperate.

So these kittens arent yet there.

Two good arguments why to consider an spay / abortion asap.

Consult some vet knowleable in obstetrics, and ask if kitten fosters, whom got through high temp, may be undamaged, if you want to be sure.

But of of course, do it asap if you have ANY plans on spaying now...  More late more worse, both ethically and medically.

We will give you full support whichever decision you take.

An ultrasound would show if she is pregnant. After that, decisions can be made. Hard to say if the kittens have been harmed.

This poor cat sounds like she's had a rough time though, and needs to be spayed so she can get well and never be pregnant or nursing again. I hope that can happen soon. Thank you for caring for her!

Thankyou for your responses they are appreciated, I'll get in touch with the rescue re; ultrasound.. it is hard decision to make.. this is my first mum cat since returning to foster and a change of attitude in finding the best for my fosters and accepting I can't save them all - but it's a hard call as she will take up my capacity for foster care some time, especially if she is only 4 weeks in :/

Wondering if anyone knows if the pregnant nipples "pinking up" continues through until the kittens are fully weaned? I am still unsure wether my rescue mum who is infrequently nursing a 6 week old is pregnant or getting fat from everything I'm feeding her! A lot of $$ to scan, we are trying the wait and see game but It's driving me nuts wondering..

Pregnant nipples and nursing nipples are almost indistinguishable in color.

Has the mom been exposed to intact male cats?

Thanks satthur - as a rescue cat I don't know, probably within the timeframe but certainly not while I've been fostering her.

How long have you had her? A scan would show for sure, but waiting will tell eventually. She may be pregnant. Thanks for fostering her!