Queenie has HUGE tummy

Hello!

A pregnant stray cat that adopted us several weeks ago gave birth yesterday. Both the mommy and the four babies seem to be doing fine but I have a couple of questions. This morning, when we woke up, we saw that Queenie had carried her babies across the room, which was fine with us. However, the towels they left behind had a mustard colored discharge sort of a thing smeared over it. Also, I noticed that one of the babies had the same colored thing dried up on his leg. Any clue what that could be? Also, the mommy cat still has a huge tummy. It almost makes me think she has more kittens left in her uterus. Does anyone know if the cat's large tummy is normal after birth? Is there a way to tell if she is having problems? I would really love to take her to the vet for a check up to ease my mind but since today is sunday, I would prefer not to drive an hour to get to the emergency vet hospital and pay 130 dollars (that I cannot afford) just for walking through the door only to find out that it is all normal. If you have had any experience with a queen and kittens before pleaaaaase tell me what I should watch out for, and if these things I described are abnormal. Thank you.

Hi and welcome to TCS.

The mustard stuff you are seeing is kitten poop. Usully, the mother cat stimulates the kittens to urinate and move their bowels by licking their behinds and eats what they produce. She may just have not been quick enough to stimulate that kitten.

Cat's abdomens do usually go down quite a bit after birth. It is normal for a cat to go as much as 12 hours to 1 day between kittens, as long as she's not in active labour (having contractions). It's possible that she's not quite finished yet. If she starts active labor again but does not produce a kitten in a couple of hours, it may mean that a kitten is stuck and she needs a vet right away.

Just to add, a cat that has just given birth can mate and become pregnant as soon as a week after giving birth so do make sure she is kept inside. She can be spayed once the kittens are 8 weeks old.

Lolabeck....thanks for caring for this stray cat and her kittens. To ensure that this is her only litter, it will be important to keep her indoors only until she is spayed. You can schedule her spay surgery for when her kittens are 8 weeks of age. If you need a list of low cost spay/neuter clinics, simply click the link at the bottom of my signature and select your state.

Katie

It does take a little while for the belly to shrink away after having the kittens. Or the Mom may have worms, causing her to have a large belly. I would give her at least 24 hours after having the kittens. If you are still worried Monday morning, you can call your vet, or take her in for a visit.

Like Kumbulu said, if she starts pushing again, and can't get the kitten out, then you would take her to the vet sooner.

If she didn't get the dirty kitten cleaned up, just use a washcloth or papertowel moistened with warm water to help Momma out. She will keep spotting blood the first few days, too, so you will have another mess to clean up before too long. I have changed the blankets several times on my litter of kittens, who will be 2 weeks old on Tuesday. (Born 3-14-06.)