Is She Pregnant?

rebex · Mar 1, 2006

Hello there!

I have a 7 month old tabby... I got her when she was 2 or 3 months old, she was a stray but shes an indoor kitty now... shes been in heat for a while now, I just recently made an appointment to get ger spayed but....

4 weeks ago, she leaned against a window and the screen fell out and she went with it , the poor baby ( dont worry it was the first floor... only bout 3 feet she wasnt hurt! phew! ) but she took off for three days

.
we made posters and quickly she was returned home to us.. thankfully!
What i'm not sure of is... the week b4 she got out, she was in heat... rolling around and the whole deal, she was finished a couple days b4 she got out. She hasent been into heat since then, usually shes about 2 weeks apart. I read that one of the first signs of pregnancy is pinking, she doesnt appear to have that. Her nipples are still white, and long.. but not pink or swollen. However, she does seem to crave attention much more than before, shes hungry more often and her belly is getting rounder just below her ribcage. Shes also acting strange, not so much herself, and as I mentioned before, she hasent been in heat for about 4 weeks.
does this sound like shes pregnant? I have an appointment for her with the vet tomorrow.. I was just wondering if I should be concerned (as I already am! haha) alot could've happened in those three days she was out there!

thanks so much for taking the time to read this!!!!!

kumbulu · Mar 1, 2006

Hi and welcome to TCS.

It sounds like she is almost certainly pregnant, going by your description of her physically, and behaviourally. Remember that a cat doesn't have to be in heat to mate and become pregnant.

If she is pregnant, she will be 4 to 41/2 weeks along. The pinking up and enlarging of the nipples only really begins around now, so that would be why you haven't seen that.

It is possible to have her spayed now, even if she is pregnant. You could ask the vet not to let you know either way. Many people object to this, understandably, so after you take her to the vet to find out whether she is pregnant, you will need to begin feeding her a good quality kitten food from now until the kittens are no longer nursing. This web site will give you some tips: http://www.cat-pregnancy-report.com/...pregnancy.html

rebex · Mar 1, 2006

yipes! okay thanks for your help... and that site will be very helpful!
I'm going to the vet tonight, so I suppose I will find out for sure.

The reason why I didnt think she was was indeed due to the lack of pinking, so thank you for that information! You answered all my questions!!
I do have one more tho, would it be unhealthy for her to go thru this entire pregnancy before I get her spayed? I'd feel bad otherwise, since she is nearly halfway through it already... but I would feel worse if it was endangering her in anyway
thanks so much!!

I'll let you know what happens!!

poohandwendy · Mar 1, 2006

I, personally, would have her spayed immediately. She is a very young cat and the possibility of dangerous complications for her (and her possible litter) is high enough for me to think she would be better off not continuing the pregnancy.

kumbulu · Mar 1, 2006

I agree, she is very young. It may be possible for her to go through the pregnancy (if she is indeed pregnant) without any complications but it is the birth that may be a worry, as her body is so small still. Have a chat with your vet about it and see what they think.

rebex · Mar 1, 2006

I definately will!
thanks again!!

goldenkitty45 · Mar 1, 2006

They will usually "pink up" at about 3 weeks pregnant. If she was in heat when she got out and gone for 3 days, its very likely she is pregnant. You still can get her spayed - will just cost a bit more if she's carrying kittens.

Unless you are prepared to take care of more kittens, its best to end the pregnancy now and have her spayed. Besides at 7 months, she's still a kitten herself.

rebex · Mar 1, 2006

Off to the vet right now!!!
wish us luck!

rebex · Mar 1, 2006

okay we're back from the vet

It turns out shes a little older than I had thought... we figure around 10 months old

The vet said she wasnt sure if she was pregnant but she felt a suspicious lump in there and I'm going back in 2 - 4 weeks to make sure.
She figures that if she is pregnant theres probably only one kitten in there!

jen · Mar 1, 2006

Ohh well at least she is a little older then you thought. That helps but she still is quite young and you don't know who the tom cat was. He could have a disease or be carrying something. This is a case when it could really go either way. Should you or shouldn't you have her spayed? I would probably still have her spayed since 1) she is a little young 2)the health of the tom is unknown 3)there are billions of kitties dying in shelters and on the streets it is almost pointless to bring more into it. But it is your call. If there is only one kitten, you could always keep it yourself. But if it turns out to be a male, be sure to have him neutered right away (vets can do it at 8 weeks old, but not all will) or else spay the mom when the kitten is old enough so he doesn't get her pregnant. Good luck!

rebex · Mar 6, 2006

Its so difficult waiting to find out if shes actually pregnant...
Shes been so strange its confusing me ! !

sometimes I think for sure she is, others I think not...

its possible that she just stopped going into heat for a while isnt it? shes only been in heat fully about 3 times... but not since the last.
she wants to eat so much now.. .her tummys not gettin too big visibly... but it feels so soild... well harder and rounder under her ribs.. her nipples are bigger but not pinker... a little pink in the surrounding area tho its hard to see them cuz she wont let me touch her belly too much anymore... I thought she was gunna go into heat a couple days ago cuz she was rubbing on everything.. especially me .. but everything else she does like the sounds she makes and the crouching she didnt do.. andthen it seemed to go away, can it be milder sometimes?
shes also been quite vocal now, not calling or anything like that.. just stuck to my side and its like shes tryingn to talk to me.

the vet said I probably wont see much of the signs since she believes that theres only one in there. She suggested I wait four weeks before coming back to see her but if I was too anxious (cuz she still needs her last shots which is why i went in the first place) then i could come in after 2 weeks and maybe she could get a better idea of whether she was pregnant or not. Maybe that would be the best idea...
are there any other signs I should watch out for?

I hope I'm not annoying you guys! I just cant stop watching and worrying about my baby.

thanks again, you guys rule.

jen · Mar 6, 2006

Well it is hard to say but she does sound pregnant. I would think a vet would be able to tell you for sure, but I don't know. If it were me personally I would just take her in to be spayed and vaccinated and not worry about if she is pregnant or not. You have no clue what type of condition or health the tom cat was in that got to her. I wouldn't want to risk her life for that. If you feel guilty, remember cats do not know the difference, and you can always tell the vet you don't want to know, just spay her.

As far as heat goes, at first it can come once and then it can be awhile before it comes again, but then it is pretty often. Every few weeks it seems my one cat was in heat, remembering back, it has been a few years.

tnr1 · Mar 6, 2006

Originally Posted by ReBeX

Its so difficult waiting to find out if shes actually pregnant...
Shes been so strange its confusing me ! !

sometimes I think for sure she is, others I think not...

its possible that she just stopped going into heat for a while isnt it? shes only been in heat fully about 3 times... but not since the last.
she wants to eat so much now.. .her tummys not gettin too big visibly... but it feels so soild... well harder and rounder under her ribs.. her nipples are bigger but not pinker... a little pink in the surrounding area tho its hard to see them cuz she wont let me touch her belly too much anymore... I thought she was gunna go into heat a couple days ago cuz she was rubbing on everything.. especially me .. but everything else she does like the sounds she makes and the crouching she didnt do.. andthen it seemed to go away, can it be milder sometimes?
shes also been quite vocal now, not calling or anything like that.. just stuck to my side and its like shes tryingn to talk to me.

the vet said I probably wont see much of the signs since she believes that theres only one in there. She suggested I wait four weeks before coming back to see her but if I was too anxious (cuz she still needs her last shots which is why i went in the first place) then i could come in after 2 weeks and maybe she could get a better idea of whether she was pregnant or not. Maybe that would be the best idea...
are there any other signs I should watch out for?

I hope I'm not annoying you guys! I just cant stop watching and worrying about my baby.

thanks again, you guys rule.

Rebex....most signs occur fairly close to the time of birth. If your vet stated she thought there was one kitten, I would go with that...but I would ensure that she is kept indoors only. I know it is difficult to wait...but your vet is going to be the best person so if you have questions...I would certainly give her a quick call.

Katie

rebex · Mar 6, 2006

thanks guys

the vet didnt seem concerned about her being too young or in bad condition about having a kitten if she is in fact pregnant, she actually instructed me to come back in four weeks because she would have had the kitten by then.

i'm just impaitent, and even tho she didnt seem worried... i cant help but be...

she is an indoor cat for sure...she hasent been out since this incident... or before that for that matter.

I think I'll wait until the 2 week mark and go in to get this all delt with, I dont feel safe waiting the four weeks... I hope the vet doesnt think I'm being too pushy or anything... but like i said, shes my baby! I know you guys understand

thanks for the information tho, about it showing later, I wasnt entirely sure about that... i really hope i'm not bothering you all....and I truely appreciate your help!!

thanks again

tnr1 · Mar 6, 2006

Rebex...that is what this forum is here for...so you get your questions answered. Please keep us updated.

Katie

rebex · Mar 6, 2006

thank you!!!

I will definatley let yall know what happens!

kluchetta · Mar 6, 2006

One other thing...cats can actually get pregnant without actually being in heat, so if she was out for 3 days she most likely is. My cat was a pregnant stray, so I will say that the symptoms I saw were - more friendly, larger tummy, and of course - NOT going into heat again!

And are you feeding her a good quality kitten food? That's definitely the best for her. At 7 weeks or so, I think the vet can visualize the skeletons of the babies on xray, so that's exciting.

rebex · Mar 7, 2006

eee thanks!

I really cant wait for that i wanna know! how did it all go for your cat??
I've been feeding her iams kitten food, and some canned stuff that my mom buys from our vet. Is there another brand that you guys could suggest that would be better for her? or is this one okay? I read somewhere on one of thes forums that you just needed to make sure the first ingrediant was protien, so I took a look and it is chicken.

thanks for your response kluchetta!

kluchetta · Mar 7, 2006

Originally Posted by ReBeX

eee thanks!

I really cant wait for that i wanna know! how did it all go for your cat??
I've been feeding her iams kitten food, and some canned stuff that my mom buys from our vet. Is there another brand that you guys could suggest that would be better for her? or is this one okay? I read somewhere on one of thes forums that you just needed to make sure the first ingrediant was protien, so I took a look and it is chicken.

thanks for your response kluchetta!

How'd it go for my cat? Great! She had 8 kittens and they were all perfectly healthy (which, after reading these forums, I feel extremely lucky for.) I helped a tiny bit with number 5 or 6, because the next one came so fast, she didn't get a chance to open the sac, so I just opened it for the baby. Most of it happened when I was asleep, and I woke to squeaking little kittens.

I would think Iams would be a good kitten food. I wasn't on here at the time, and I fed my cat Purina, but she seemed ok. I am feeding Iams now, and all my cats' coats are extremely shiny and soft.

rebex · Mar 7, 2006

8 Kittens!! my goodness! and all healthy, thats wonderful I'm so glad to hear that! it would be quite something to wake up to I bet... were you expecting them to be born when they were?

I find my kittys coat is very soft and shiney now as well... I think I will stick with iams until I see my vet.

Is She Pregnant?

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