Is This Stray Pregnant?

[Catz4Dayz]

Hi! There is a stray that's been hanging around my neighborhood for about a year and a half now and I finally decided to take her in. I can't decide if she's pregnant or not. She is very skinny and hungry all the time. Her nipples stick straight up and seem swollen but my only comparison is my neutered male. She seems to have a small belly to me but sometimes it looks like she doesnt. So I'm very confused. What do you think?

 

[Sarthur2]

She is very likely pregnant. Feed her unlimited amounts of food.

Are you sure she has not had a litter already?

Thank you for taking her in. She's very pretty!

 

[Catz4Dayz]

She is very likely pregnant. Feed her unlimited amounts of food.

Are you sure she has not had a litter already?

Thank you for taking her in. She's very pretty!

Thank you for your reply! I've taken care of pregnant cats before, but she has me confused. I've been feeding her a mix of wet food, dry food, and kitten formula to hopefully get her a bit fattened up. It's hard to tell in that picture, but she's tiny. I'm not completely sure she hasn't had a litter before. I haven't seen any other kittens around but who knows?

 

[Sarthur2]

Will you spay her after this litter weans?

 

[Catz4Dayz]

Will you spay her after this litter weans?

Yes. I was planning on doing it now but realized she may be pregnant.

 

[Sarthur2]

You'll know more in a couple of weeks. Cats begin to show around the 5-week mark. Also, the absence of heat cycles is a clue.

 

[Catz4Dayz]

She also has a rapid breath rate. She is taking about 60 breaths on average per minute. Should I be worried? She's definitely not in labor and that's the only thing I've read.

 

[Sarthur2]

Has this just started?

Does she seem unwell?

 

[Catz4Dayz]

Has this just started?

Does she seem unwell?

I brought her in last night and it has consistently been around 60 the entire time. She's energetic and affectionate, clear eyes, eating well, stool is normal.

 

[Sarthur2]

I would say that she is still nervous being indoors finally. The stress of the change may have raised her heart rate for now.

If it continues past a few days, get her checked by a vet, but I'm betting she's still adjusting to her new surroundings.

 

[Catz4Dayz]

Sorry to ask so many questions! I just checked on her and she has some yellow whitish discharge on her vagina. I've never had a pregnant cat have discharge before so I have no idea what it is. Ideas?

 

[Sarthur2]

Yellow usually means infection, so she needs to see a vet for meds.

 

[Sarthur2]

Do you have a picture of the discharge?

I'm actually wondering if she is laboring and if that is part of her mucus plug.

 

[Catz4Dayz]

I wiped it with a napkin and then left for an hour. Came back and there was a tiny bit there still. I'm not sure if you can even see it in the picture.

 

[Catz4Dayz]

She is currently rolling around on the floor, licking her paws, and then rolling more. Haha

 

[Sarthur2]

Can you get her to a vet tomorrow?

She may have an infection. Yellow discharge is not normal.

 

[Catz4Dayz]

Yes, I should be able to.

 

[Sarthur2]

The vet can confirm if she is pregnant as well. Since she's been living as a stray, she'll need worming too.

If she is pregnant, the vet should not give any vaccines tomorrow.

Please let us know what the vet says.