Can you tell how pregnant a cat is if you've just met her?

gettingready

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

But don't tell Gettingready!!!! :rotfl:

Someone called?

:cool:

djp64

Hi Splishsplash

Just wanted to see how your little visitor is today. She looked so settled and happy in your photograph :-)

Debbie

splishsplash

Morning everyone,
Sorry I haven't been back to update, but there was nothing to report... until this morning! About an hour ago, she was lying peacefully beside me, then suddenly jumped up and started miaowing like she was really surprised, then wandered round for a few minutes crying loudly but in no distress.
We've been trying to get her to settle in one of the three birthing stations we've set up around the house, but so far she's not very interested.
I will report back later!

Misstress

Good luck, hope all goes well.

caela_2

splishsplash wrote: »

Morning everyone,
Sorry I haven't been back to update, but there was nothing to report... until this morning! About an hour ago, she was lying peacefully beside me, then suddenly jumped up and started miaowing like she was really surprised, then wandered round for a few minutes crying loudly but in no distress.
We've been trying to get her to settle in one of the three birthing stations we've set up around the house, but so far she's not very interested.
I will report back later!

Lol I know how scary it can be, my cat went into labour and I was the one trying to calm my breathing and relax! I rushed her into the bathroom on some clean blankets and shut the door, sitting with her on the floor. Just talk to the cat gently, stroke it and I know it sounds weird but just talk it though the process just say "aw, you're having your babies, they're going to be cute, you'll be fine" lol because it will calm you down too and the tone of your voice will calm her down and she might settle to give birth.

Make sure to write down the time each kitten is delivered- if it's more than 8 hours I think you have to take them to a vet. Also, keep count of the placentas- you get one kitten out in it's umbilical sac (or whatever it's called) and the cat will lick that off and clean the kitten. Then you get an after birth of placenta (like a red, flattened plum ew) and it's important to count there are enough placentas per kitten (she will eat them so keep an eye out) because if one is left in there it can get infected, or if more placentas than kittens are delivered, maybe a kitten is still in there. If it's a first litter, she'll have between 3-5 on average. You can put a hot water bottle under a blanket for them to crawl onto but they will probably want to stick by the mum. She should give birth to them fine but if one is stuck, I used saline (for contact lenses) because it sterile and sprayed around the vagina to lubricate (ew I know) but also the surprise of a bit of water made her push the kitten out so that worked. Just NEVER pull a kitten out because you can really hurt the mum so it's dangerous.

I was able to handle my cat's kittens immediately because she just knew it was ok if that makes sense, but I was making sure she cleaned them first because you shouldn't really get your scent on the kittens or she might abandon them. If a kitten is not breathing though or still has the sac around it's mouth, a wet flannel is great for wiping it away and wiping the mucus from the nose (wipe downwards) and it should breathe fine. Rubbing them with the flannel as well if they are not very lively is good too for getting their body temperature up and just waking them up, but they shouldn't need it really they should be ok.

Let us know how it goes!

juliebunny

My advice is to leave her well alone to get on with the birthing - even first time mums have a very strong instinct. I tend to check on the birthing cat every half hour, but then mainly leave them alone and they tend to do the best job.

Oh goodness those kittens are going to be gorgeous from a tortie mum!

And if you do find an owner, they need to get her neutered once the kittens are weaned!

gettingready

Wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww - waiting for the kitties then... fingers crossed all goes well and we will see some lovely photos soon....

Sequeena

Only stay with her if she wants you to (which I think you will considering she's picked your home) and remember to weigh the kittens if you can

When they come out you may need to help get the membrane/mucus off from around their mouths but other than that mummy does a great job at cleaning them up herself

My cat delivered 5 kittens in 3 hours but it can take longer x

gettingready

Waitingggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg

mirrorimage0

please update, so exciting lol