I thought it might be interesting to our readers to see how the reproductive process goes from the notes in my breeding journal. I have to say that I did not copy all of my notes here, just the pertinent ones. I will continue to add entries as time goes on. It is my sincere hope that it can help those interested to learn more about pregnancy and kitten delivery. Enjoy.
Day Minus 15 - Tonka and Lexus were presented to the vet for a pre-breeding exam and found to be healthy, free from internal and external parasites and pronouced ready to breed upon Lexus' next estrus cycle
Day Minus 5 - Lexus has come into estrus with increased vocalizations, repeated escape attempts and is extremely affectionate with anyone and everyone, including the kitchen table legs *grin*
Day Minus 1 - Lexus appears to be ready to breed. Full lordotic postures, extreme restlessness, loud vocalizations and intermittant urine spraying observed
Day 1 - Tonka and Lexus were bred 3 times with successful matings - began counting days until kitten delivery as Day One
Day 2 - Tonka and Lexus were bred 3 times with successful matings
Day 3 - Tonka and Lexus were bred 3 times with successful matings
Day 4 - Lexus appears to be coming out of estrus. Decreased restlessness, decreased vocalization, decreased lordosis.
Day 5 - Lexus continues to display no signs of estrus
Day 6 - Still no signs of estrus
Day 7 - Lexus has returned to estrus with full lordotic posturing, loud vocalization and restlessness. Tonka and Lexus were bred 3 times with successful matings
Day 8 - Lexus displays decreased restlessness, decreased vocalization, decreased lordosis
Day 9 - Still decreasing signs of estrus
Day 10 - Still decreasing signs of estrus
Day 14 - No further signs of estrus. Lexus is eating more and sleeping a lot
Day 21 - Lexus vomited her breakfast and has a mild case of diarrhea. Chicken and rice puree offered, accepted and kept on board - pregnancy is likely
Day 22 - Lexus vomited her breakfast but stool is normal
Day 23 - More morning vomiting, stool still well formed and normal in appearance
Day 24 - Lexus displays an extremely increased appetite and time spent sleeping has also increased greatly
Day 25 - No more morning vomiting, appetite and sleeping both continue to increase
Day 28 - Lexus is beginning to physically display growth around her girth and continues to display increased appetite. She is affectionate and clingy
Day 35 - Lexus continues to grow and when laying in certain positions, the outlines of fetuses can be observed.
Day 45 - Movement of the fetuses observed
Day 55 - Lexus has begun to explore the birthing nest provided and is very affectionate as well as clingy. She follows us around the house seemingly not comfortable if we are out of sight
Day 57 - Lexus is spending more time in the birthing nest, rearranging the nesting materials and intermittantly sleeping in there
Day 58 - The nesting materials in the birthing nest have been dragged out of the nest and onto the floor then dragged back into the nest again. Lexus has been very busy in there and has now taken two of her favorite toys in as well. I have moved her litter box and food/water dishes into the bedroom and she is staying very close to her nest. The babies are VERY active today. Lexus is restless and wants to follow me around, but mostly is staying nearby her nest.
Day 61 - Lexus is moving slow and it appears that the babies are not being carried as high up on her sides as even one day ago. Her belly area is much larger and I can feel little heads inside the belly area between her back legs. No discharge or dialation yet, but I think within the next 24 to 48 hours, we shall have babies.
Day 62 - I covered the nest with a different quilt as Lexus had dragged the blanket which was covering it onto the floor and then into the nest. She slept in there most of this afternoon and is not eating very much. She has visited her litter several times.
... we are currently on Day 62 so I will continue to add entries as the days progress
Day Minus 15 - Tonka and Lexus were presented to the vet for a pre-breeding exam and found to be healthy, free from internal and external parasites and pronouced ready to breed upon Lexus' next estrus cycle
Day Minus 5 - Lexus has come into estrus with increased vocalizations, repeated escape attempts and is extremely affectionate with anyone and everyone, including the kitchen table legs *grin*
Day Minus 1 - Lexus appears to be ready to breed. Full lordotic postures, extreme restlessness, loud vocalizations and intermittant urine spraying observed
Day 1 - Tonka and Lexus were bred 3 times with successful matings - began counting days until kitten delivery as Day One
Day 2 - Tonka and Lexus were bred 3 times with successful matings
Day 3 - Tonka and Lexus were bred 3 times with successful matings
Day 4 - Lexus appears to be coming out of estrus. Decreased restlessness, decreased vocalization, decreased lordosis.
Day 5 - Lexus continues to display no signs of estrus
Day 6 - Still no signs of estrus
Day 7 - Lexus has returned to estrus with full lordotic posturing, loud vocalization and restlessness. Tonka and Lexus were bred 3 times with successful matings
Day 8 - Lexus displays decreased restlessness, decreased vocalization, decreased lordosis
Day 9 - Still decreasing signs of estrus
Day 10 - Still decreasing signs of estrus
Day 14 - No further signs of estrus. Lexus is eating more and sleeping a lot
Day 21 - Lexus vomited her breakfast and has a mild case of diarrhea. Chicken and rice puree offered, accepted and kept on board - pregnancy is likely
Day 22 - Lexus vomited her breakfast but stool is normal
Day 23 - More morning vomiting, stool still well formed and normal in appearance
Day 24 - Lexus displays an extremely increased appetite and time spent sleeping has also increased greatly
Day 25 - No more morning vomiting, appetite and sleeping both continue to increase
Day 28 - Lexus is beginning to physically display growth around her girth and continues to display increased appetite. She is affectionate and clingy
Day 35 - Lexus continues to grow and when laying in certain positions, the outlines of fetuses can be observed.
Day 45 - Movement of the fetuses observed
Day 55 - Lexus has begun to explore the birthing nest provided and is very affectionate as well as clingy. She follows us around the house seemingly not comfortable if we are out of sight
Day 57 - Lexus is spending more time in the birthing nest, rearranging the nesting materials and intermittantly sleeping in there
Day 58 - The nesting materials in the birthing nest have been dragged out of the nest and onto the floor then dragged back into the nest again. Lexus has been very busy in there and has now taken two of her favorite toys in as well. I have moved her litter box and food/water dishes into the bedroom and she is staying very close to her nest. The babies are VERY active today. Lexus is restless and wants to follow me around, but mostly is staying nearby her nest.
Day 61 - Lexus is moving slow and it appears that the babies are not being carried as high up on her sides as even one day ago. Her belly area is much larger and I can feel little heads inside the belly area between her back legs. No discharge or dialation yet, but I think within the next 24 to 48 hours, we shall have babies.
Day 62 - I covered the nest with a different quilt as Lexus had dragged the blanket which was covering it onto the floor and then into the nest. She slept in there most of this afternoon and is not eating very much. She has visited her litter several times.
... we are currently on Day 62 so I will continue to add entries as the days progress
