Adopted cat - pregnant?

Two weeks ago today (Saturday) we adopted a 3-1/2 year old cat from the humane society. We were told she just had a littler of kittens. I didnt ask the specifics. Apparently her previous owners gave her up due to 'allergies', my guess is she had the kittens before she was given up.
Anyway, it was clear to us that she had a litter as her stomach was slightly swollen as were her nipples. However; over the past two weeks her stomach has continued to grow, and her nipples havent gone down any (they are pink, but they are also calused and chaffed from the previous litter).
She is new to us, so it is hard to know what is *normal* yet, but she has seem to hide a lot more the past couple days. Tonight we went looking for her and found her in her usual spot under my daughter's bed, only this night she didnt want to come out. Also, we noticed from the start that she ate a lot, but we assumed it was a post-partum/nursing thing and never deprived her of extra. Today though, she didnt eat as much. From what I keep reading, I am almost convinced she is pregnant and expecting any day now. She has/had an appointment with the vet to be spayed this coming Friday... ROFL
Tonight my husband and I were gently feeling her abdomen and both thought we felt movement at the same time. But really, am I imagining all this? What are the chance of adopting a pregnant cat from the humane society? without them knowing it...

Thanks for your time and this forum... I found a lot of helpful things already.

Marian

Hi Marian, I'm no expert at things like this, but you have two choices when you get her to the vet: abort the kitties (if you don't want her to have them) or continue on with the pregnancy. I think she might be pregnant, coming from your descriptions. In any case, good luck! Please keep us posted!

I'm assuming the shelter didn't have her spayed before sending her home - obviously, this is a very bad practice on their part but at this point, your situation is what it is.

Take her to the vet and find out exactly how far along she is, if she is indeed pregnant, and whether or not you and the vet mutually feel that it is acceptable to spay her at this point. Unless you have vets in your area willing to do juvenile spay/neuter or you are willing to keep all of the kittens yourself, it is best to have her spayed now. Otherwise, there is absolutely no way for you to know that her kittens won't have kittens, and so on. Even spay/neuter contracts offer no guarantee.

If you do let her have the kittens, all the shelter (do not give your name right away) and find out what their policy is when this sort of thing happens. If they will make you turn in the kittens for possible euthanasia, obviously you will just not let them know that anything happened. But hopefully they'll be willing to let you foster the kittens while they find adoptive homes for them.

It's mind-boggling that shelter staff would send a cat to an adoptive home who was in her 3rd trimester of pregnancy and not notice anything was amiss.

There's no question, I wouldnt abort the kittens. I just dont think I could live with myself. I am a little shocked, and very surprised that someone could (unknowingly)adopt a pg. cat from the pound! Obviously they do have a spay/neuter policy, and I had to pay the extra spay deposit for her. I havent called them in fear of what they would say or do. Obviously I dont want a houseful of cats forever, but I dont mind fostering them until I can find them responsible placement. I came online tonight curious to the gestation of cats and their respective mannerism and I think I am more convinced than ever that she is indeed expecting. I had a slight inkling earlier in the week as I wondered why her abdomen wasnt shrinking any and I even thought it looked slightly larger, but now I am sure her stomach is definely bigger, she looks like she is carrying softballs in saddlebags! Granted, I dont know what her 'normal' look is, and she is a longer-haired cat, but I have never seen a cat shaped like this before. Otherwise she is pretty lean. She came out earlier in the night and was meowy and even laid on our landing panting a few times but has since retreated back upstairs presumably to her hiding spot which we have now lined with blankets. I'm not sure if I want to go up and check on her, or leave her be...
Anyway, thanks for replying to my message! and it goes without saying that when all is said and done, Willow will eventually make her trip to the vet for her appropriate spaying. I cant imagine this poor girl having to go through 2 litters in a row so close together. Makes me wonder if she did indeed have a littler so soon ago. We never questioned that she did, as we could see her teets. But maybe it was due to the pregnancy. Although, I suppose pregnancy doesnt cause them to be rough and flaky, does it? I imagine she is still heeling from the previous nursing litter. I would love to contact the shelter and find out more about her owners and previous life, but am doubtful I would learn anything anyway.
At any rate, thanks again for replying so quickly! I'll be sure to keep everyone posted!

This seriously sounds like pregnacy to me. I'm not sure, as I am certainly no expert, but I'm glad you're taking her to the vet.

Please, please, PLEASE have all the kittens spayed and neutered at 8-12 weeks old, before placing them in new homes. It's the only way to make sure they don't have kittens of their own.

But in the meantime, enjoy them. A litter of kittens can be great fun.

Originally Posted by Marianjela

There's no question, I wouldnt abort the kittens. I just dont think I could live with myself. I am a little shocked, and very surprised that someone could (unknowingly)adopt a pg. cat from the pound! Obviously they do have a spay/neuter policy, and I had to pay the extra spay deposit for her. I havent called them in fear of what they would say or do. Obviously I dont want a houseful of cats forever, but I dont mind fostering them until I can find them responsible placement.

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I would contact the shelter...they need to know that their information was incorrect..that she did not have her litter already and that you are now taking care of her. If anything..it will increase the time before you have her spayed..so it protects you for receiving your deposit back, additionally, the shelter needs to be aware of the issue so they can think about changing their practices. This is why I'm in favor of pre-adoptive spay/neuter instead of contracts or spay deposits..but that is entirely another discussion.

I can appreciate your caring for this mom cat..and your concern about having her spayed. I volunteer at a feral cat clinic and every pregnant cat is spayed. People don't like to know that..but with the population of cats we are working with as well as the high euthanization for cats in most shelters in my state, it is actually the most humane solution for feral cats.

If you intend to place these kittens.....I would really recommend contacting a few rescue groups and seeing if you can provide "fostering" for these kittens, but have the rescue group conduct interviews etc. The reason I am suggesting that route is that most rescue groups work with vets who will do pediatric spay/neuter or they have it in the contract that the kitten must be spayed/neutered by a certain date (and most do follow up). It also protects you as rescues will (for the most part) offer to take a cat back at any point in it's life.

Katie

I was also in your shoes with Samona (My Turkish Angora). She was given up due to owner had died and children did not want her. The Humane society's main cat person was out of town the week they got Samona. She had her 5 day wait period and went out on the floor the same day I came in to check to see if someone had brought in one of my own kitties. (No one had brought in my kitty but I fell in love with Samona.)

Being that I have lived on a farm all my life and many many kittens later I knew when I saw this beautiful cat she was pregnant. I told the humane society that I was going to adopt her and that she was pregnant. They asked me if I was for sure and I said yes.

I took her to the vets the next day and he confermed Samona was beginning her last trimester. I contacted the humane society again and they asked me if it was too late to abort them? I said yes it was and it did not matter I lived on a farm and the kittens are welcome here.

Today the kittens are 2 weeks old, eyes open, fluffy furbabies, I handle them once to twice a day. I will have momma spayed after we wean babies and all the kids will be fixed as they get older starting with females first.

So can a Humane Society mess up? Yes it can happen specially if the kitty is long haired. I praise you for not wanting to abort the kittens. If you are worried about having a house full of cats, which you may change your mind after some rollie pollie kittens come playing into your lap, look to some local farmers most would not mind a kitty or 2 to keep the mice and rats out of the grain. Ask that they get them fixed also which most might not mind anyways to do that. Too many cats is as bad as too many mice in the barn.

Originally Posted by Andeshan

If you are worried about having a house full of cats, which you may change your mind after some rollie pollie kittens come playing into your lap, look to some local farmers most would not mind a kitty or 2 to keep the mice and rats out of the grain. Ask that they get them fixed also which most might not mind anyways to do that. Too many cats is as bad as too many mice in the barn.

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I disagree strongly with this. To raise kittens in a house and then send them to live in a barn is inhumane. The kittens will not know anything about how to survive outdoors and will have about a 50-50 chance of seeing their first birthdays under these circumstances. If farmers want barn cats, they can contact their local feral cat spay/neuter organization. These groups always have cats who have been displaced from their former outdoor homes and who need farm homes to live the rest of their lives.

If you are going to allow a cat to have kittens, you need to commit to placing them as pets. Nothing else is acceptable. If you don't think you can find homes for the kittens, then the mother cat should be spayed now.

To end the controversy over placing and altering, I only posted in curiosity of my new cat's gestation.
My cat will be altered *after* her litter is weaned. She is our only cat and is solely indoors. We have one dog though he is nuetered altready ;-)
I plan to house the kittens myslef, until I can find suitable homes for them. I will not place an ad, and I will not drop them off at a farm. I know that indoor cats live longer lives. I was unaware that kittens could be nuetered or spayed at such a yound age, though I will be sure to look around for the vet that will do it. The vet I currently use wont do it til they are 6 months or a particular weight. We may keep _a_ kitten from this litter if we grow attached. At any rate, Willow has not had any kittens yet. I'm a little apprehensive and really wish I knew how far along she was and when to expect the big event. But ha! I was the same way when I birthed my own litter - LOL. They never come soon enough!
Thanks to everyone who has answered my questions, I really appreciate it!!!!

I never said they had to live in a barn on the farm. I did not mean it as that way at all. I live on a farm and all my kitties are indoor outdoor cats. Most love to spend the day in the barn hunting. If I hurt or stepped on anyones toes I am sorry but most of the farmers that live in my area have indoor outdoor cats. This gives the cats the best of both worlds and no litterbox in the house.

Originally Posted by Marianjela

To end the controversy over placing and altering, I only posted in curiosity of my new cat's gestation.
My cat will be altered *after* her litter is weaned. She is our only cat and is solely indoors. We have one dog though he is nuetered altready ;-)
I plan to house the kittens myslef, until I can find suitable homes for them. I will not place an ad, and I will not drop them off at a farm. I know that indoor cats live longer lives. I was unaware that kittens could be nuetered or spayed at such a yound age, though I will be sure to look around for the vet that will do it. The vet I currently use wont do it til they are 6 months or a particular weight. We may keep _a_ kitten from this litter if we grow attached. At any rate, Willow has not had any kittens yet. I'm a little apprehensive and really wish I knew how far along she was and when to expect the big event. But ha! I was the same way when I birthed my own litter - LOL. They never come soon enough!
Thanks to everyone who has answered my questions, I really appreciate it!!!!

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I would say make a nest for your kitty (though expect her to reject it and give birth on the carpet or your bed, lol!), look up the number and directions to the nearest emergency vet just for peace of mind in case something happens, stock up on kitten food, and relax! You'll have lots of fun with these little ones.

I took no offense to anything, just posting as I am still surfing around for info on my Willow. Pretty much the same read where ever I go. I am pretty sure she is preggo and in a little bit of disbelief, but must admit, it's a little exciting. At any rate, just wanted to assure everyone that I will do my best to place all the kittens responsibly and do still plan on having Willow spayed, though, obviosly not this Friday as planned...
As I type, Willow is upstairs hiding under my daughter's bed again, where's she's been most of the day. No kittens, and I hate to keep checking on her in case she is in labor and just wants left alone! Oh jeez -- maybe she's not even pregnant and my imagination is in overtime!

Originally Posted by vegansoprano

I would say make a nest for your kitty (though expect her to reject it and give birth on the carpet or your bed, lol!), look up the number and directions to the nearest emergency vet just for peace of mind in case something happens, stock up on kitten food, and relax! You'll have lots of fun with these little ones.

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She's been hiding upstairs under my daughter's bed all week. At first we thought she had somehow gotten outside cuz we couldnt find her, but she was up in the corner. Anyway, since then I had my daugher clean under her bed, so I could see better :-) and placed a comforter under there. She still goes up there, but where she actually does it is good as a guess as any.

Still waiting... impatiently. She is getting less and less affectionate by the day. She know longer likes to sit in my lap for too long before running off. And I most definitly cant touch her tummy without her trying to imediately run or bite me. <sniff> <sniff>

Oh well... time will tell.

She does sound pregnant at least to me. She acts the same way Samona acted when I brought her home. Samona though wanted to be beside me the whole time. (Too many years of being kitty nursemaid I guess) Although it has been years since I had kittens birthed in my house (6 years) This was exciting to have Samona and her kittens. I do recommend that if her kitty food is downstairs and she is upstairs to place them near her so she is more confortable.

Some cats want privacy others like Samona wants to have them in your lap. Talk to her when you are in the room, sing a lullaby (I know it sounds funny) let her know that you are not going to hurt her and she will relax down. I still think Samona was overdue due to the size of her kittens when born. We were in the last stages of remodelling my living room. After that was done (2 days later) Samona went into labor.

I read somewhere that a cat can post-pone her labor, which is why I dont want to check on her too much. We did put some food and water upstairs with her so she didnt have to leave the room if she didnt want to. She came into my room very early this morning rubbing herself on me, but left as soon ads she came. The few times she did peep out today she still carried the softball saddlebags :-) I'm waiting for DH to come home later tonight to check her teats and see if we can express milk. If she'll let us... I read somewhere this was a big time indicator. So far we've gotten nothing. LOL - not like we're professional milkers or anything. So who knows. And really, we only tried once the other night when I first posted. Also my husband said she looked swollen "down there"
Still waiting.....
But hey, thanks for writing! It sure helps the anxiety to read and learn all I can!

It would be a good idea to confine her someplace where there is no unsafe place for her to have her kittens. The last thing you would want is for her to have her kittens in the middle of the night on your daughter's floor and for your daughter to step on the kittens when she gets up to get a drink, or for you to not be able to find where she has them, or for her to have them up inside a box spring. Put her in a room where no matter where she decides to give birth, it's a fine place.

You can make a really good nest by taking out the next-to-last drawer in a chest of drawers and putting a thick layer of newspaper down in the bottom drawer.

Still no kittens. I'm not sure if she's one day or a week away from having these babies.
We've changed her cat food to kitten food and have added canned food to her evening meal. She eats a half can at a setting. Still hiding upstairs under daughter's bed. Warned daughter (who is 16) about getting out of bed. Added another spot in my room, an old drawer filled with newspaper as suggested, but I just cant lock her up not knowing when these babies are coming, but we're keeping a close eye on her. Between me, hubby and daughter, someone is always home. Still carrying softballs in saddlebags, but softballs are growing, hubby says he thinks she's a soccer ball now(that includes both sides). This evening her softballs were lop-sided ROFL
Just my update... Thanks for listening and all the suggestions.

Well since she sounds like she is most likely pregnant, you could use your vet appointment to just have her looked to be sure everything is ok and how far along she is and have her looked at instead of spaying her. Call before had and let the vet know though.

Like someone said earlier, just please please have the kittens fixed before finding them new homes. It can be done at 12 weeks or 2 pounds but some vets will only do it at 6 months for some reason. It is so important that they can't have babies in case the new owner is careless or doesn't care or something.

Also, assuming she is pregnant, please please call the shelter and tell them of their mistake. I work at a shelter and I cannot imagine a cat getting by us pregnant! That is ridiculous! If it is a not kill shelter, they should take the kittens when they are weaned and fix and vaccinate them and find them homes. Or you can just tell them their error and keep the kittens yourself and find them homes. Whatever you choose just please let the shelter know. Ask to speak to a manager or someone higher up because (at least its like this at my shelter) anyone walking by might answer the phone and the message might not get through to the right people.

Willow is most definitely pregnant. And I would like to call the humane society to let them know of this, and also ask some questions on her past. I wonder when her last litter was born. Or how long they had her at the shelter. This didnt seem like such a big deal when we adopted her, but now I would like to know a little more. But mostly I am worried what they might say or do. Where I live there are two shelters, a no-kill foster placement, and then there's the humane society, where we choose Willow. We decided to go to this shelter because of this, and is why we adopted an older cat. Well, she's only 3-1/2 but I think people tend to lean towards younger cats and kittens. Anyway... what do you guys think?
Willows still hanging in there. We suspect she'll have her litter within a weeks time.