Pregnancy Misery

Koen

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Due to unforeseen circumstances, my family and I were homeless for a short period of time. During that ordeal my 2 cats were forced to be kept in a room together, prior they were separated. My sweet 14 month old Constance (blue point Siamese) is now expecting. We know our Jibanyon (red point Siamese) impregnated her between May 10TH and May 31ST.

At this point her baby bump is very pronounced, as she looks like she's carrying a melon in her tummy. Her nipples are quite enlarged, firm pockets are appearing around them, but I haven't noticed any actual milk coming out. When I place my hand on her abdomen I can feel movement and even see it when just looking at her.

A few days ago Jibanyon began sniffing her bottom region without abandon and wanted to mate with her, so we've kept them separated from each other. Normally he's very gentle and submissive, so I'm not sure if maybe she's producing hormones which make him think she's in heat.

Today her temperature is 100.2, she seems to be licking her genitals more than usual, but her appetite is healthy. I have her birthing place all set up in my bedroom and she's spending more and more time in the room, but not showing much interest in the birthing tote itself. She seems pretty restless the past several hours, like she cannot get comfortable. Anyone out there with experience in these matters able to give me a window of time that she may go into labor? I do not want her alone when the time comes in case there are complications. Thank you!
 
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Koen

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I don't have any experience caring for pregnant cats, but I'd like to point you toward an article that will help you out: How Do I Know When My Cat Will Give Birth?
Thank you for sharing this article. I read it previously, but it's a great tool. I'm hoping to meet someone here that has had a pregnant cat or cats in their care and can kind of guide me some in this process. I'm nervous for my Constance as she's young and this is all new for her. Today she is just pacing and seems upset. Nothing I do calms her.
 

daisyd

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talkingpeanut talkingpeanut and many other advisors have tons of experience ! Has she passed any discharge ? Do you have stuff prepared such as kmr just in case you have to her feed kittens? Plus will you get your male cat fixed and her when the kittens are 8 weeks old ?
 

Sarthur2

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It sounds like she may be close.

And yes, pregnant cats are very hormonal, and often stray tom cats will come around thinking there are cats in heat. The hormones are the same.

How long have you been seeing and/or feeling kitten movement?

Does her belly appear to have dropped lower down yet?

Are you seeing any vaginal discharge yet?
 
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Koen

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talkingpeanut talkingpeanut and many other advisors have tons of experience ! Has she passed any discharge ? Do you have stuff prepared such as kmr just in case you have to her feed kittens? Plus will you get your male cat fixed and her when the kittens are 8 weeks old ?
I have not seen any discharge, but she's licking her genitals more than usual so she may be keeping herself very clean. I do have what I need to make kitten replacer milk and some bottles in case she needs my help in nursing the kitten or kittens.
 
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Koen

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It sounds like she may be close.

And yes, pregnant cats are very hormonal, and often stray tom cats will come around thinking there are cats in heat. The hormones are the same.

How long have you been seeing and/or feeling kitten movement?

Does her belly appear to have dropped lower down yet?

Are you seeing any vaginal discharge yet?
I have been feeling and seeing movement for probably close to 2 weeks now. The movements are getting more pronounced and stronger. Her belly has dropped down, yes.
 

pippapurring

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Hey Koen!

It sounds like Constance is in pre-labor. This can last up to two days and involves a lot of the signs you mentioned - licking and being restless are two of the major signs.

Her temp is still high for active labor, it usually will drop below 100 degrees when she goes into active labor, she'll also lose her appetite and you may see her start licking her belly in addition to her genitals. Some cats start panting when they have contractions.

Don't be surprised if she doesn't use the birthing area you set up. Some cats have a strong urge to hide from everyone, even their most trusted people when they go into active labor. If you want to be sure you're there for the delivery I would confine her to whatever room you want her to deliver in soon, but leave her be when she goes into labor unless you think there's something wrong with her labor and she may be in danger. I would be surprised if you made it through the week without kittens. I wish you both the best and hope Constance has an easy and healthy delivery!! Please keep us updated :)
 
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Koen

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Hey Koen!

It sounds like Constance is in pre-labor. This can last up to two days and involves a lot of the signs you mentioned - licking and being restless are two of the major signs.

Her temp is still high for active labor, it usually will drop below 100 degrees when she goes into active labor, she'll also lose her appetite and you may see her start licking her belly in addition to her genitals. Some cats start panting when they have contractions.

Don't be surprised if she doesn't use the birthing area you set up. Some cats have a strong urge to hide from everyone, even their most trusted people when they go into active labor. If you want to be sure you're there for the delivery I would confine her to whatever room you want her to deliver in soon, but leave her be when she goes into labor unless you think there's something wrong with her labor and she may be in danger. I would be surprised if you made it through the week without kittens. I wish you both the best and hope Constance has an easy and healthy delivery!! Please keep us updated :)
The restlessness is continuing with no end in sight. She has started to lick her stomach a lot in the last couple hours. The hair is totally gone from around her nipples. She's not panting but is beginning to be more vocal than usual. Her cries even sound different than I'm used to.

I'm keeping her in my bedroom. The closet doors are closed as well as the bathroom. She cannot get under the bed or any other furniture. I'm hoping she'll choose the nursery we made for her. It's a large tote we cut a hole in for an entrance and put soft towels inside. It's a dark, comfortable, warm place. Ultimately wherever she decides I'll be present for her in case she needs help, but I'll give her space to do what her instincts will likely tell her she needs to do. Thank you for the well wishes, I'll most certainly post updates.
 
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Koen

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She finally calmed down and drifted off to sleep. :-)
 

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pippapurring

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What a gorgeous mama! I hope she gets plenty of rest before she goes into labor, please please post pics of the kittens once they've arrived! :loveeyes:
 
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Koen

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What a gorgeous mama! I hope she gets plenty of rest before she goes into labor, please please post pics of the kittens once they've arrived! :loveeyes:
Thank you so much, we're absolutely crazy about her. Unfortunately her nap only lasted about 30 minutes, she's back to pacing the family and dinning rooms. She seems to want to be close to wherever I am which is a relief. We have a strong bond and are usually pretty inseparable. I'll be sure to post photos and updates about her and her kitten or kittens. We suspect there are at least 2 based on the movements we see and feel. I'd guess 3, but we will see. :-)
 

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Don't bother taking her temp - it's not reliable, and uncomfortable for mom.

Do you plan to spay and neuter after this litter? We're happy to help you find a low cost clinic if needed.
 
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Koen

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Don't bother taking her temp - it's not reliable, and uncomfortable for mom.

Do you plan to spay and neuter after this litter? We're happy to help you find a low cost clinic if needed.
I've been taking her temperature with an ear thermometer while she's asleep and she doesn't even move, so I'm sure it doesn't bother her. I've been taking it once daily and it has been steadily decreasing.

No need in a lost cost spay or neuter clinic, but I appreciate the help.
 

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Koen Koen

It sounds like she's in early labor. It can last up to 24 hours if so.

Poor gal. I hope things continue to be smooth. Good you are there for her.

Thank you for the updates.
 

Melissa M Sementelli

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So my cat just had babies last night and as much info that I have read, it was still quite the experience. My Storm did not lose her mucas plug until she was actually pushing, she ate right before she jumped on me to let me know she was in labor and the kittens moved like crazy inside her the entire time she was in labor. It all happened so very fast so keep an eye on her. Signs right before she went into labor are so obivous to me now but I didnt realize them when they were happening. She was wanting to be pet a lot. I could feel her prelabor contractions, and the babies were moving ALOT. Right behind her mucus plug was the first baby. Then not even 5 mins later the second came. Dont get scared if they dont all come out back to back. Some of her kittens were born 20-30 mins after the last. The biggest thing that freaked me out is right after the mucus plug came out, there was a sac that showed and it poped, another sac appeared right behind it. This first sac is what I am learning was the capsul that held all of the kittens and the second was the sac that actually held the baby. The each have their own. Good luck to you and your queen. Those are going to be some pretty babies. Let me know if I can answer any questions but you should know I was new at this as of last night. Also get a cheap scale to weigh babies. It has put my mind to ease.
 
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Koen

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So my cat just had babies last night and as much info that I have read, it was still quite the experience. My Storm did not lose her mucas plug until she was actually pushing, she ate right before she jumped on me to let me know she was in labor and the kittens moved like crazy inside her the entire time she was in labor. It all happened so very fast so keep an eye on her. Signs right before she went into labor are so obivous to me now but I didnt realize them when they were happening. She was wanting to be pet a lot. I could feel her prelabor contractions, and the babies were moving ALOT. Right behind her mucus plug was the first baby. Then not even 5 mins later the second came. Dont get scared if they dont all come out back to back. Some of her kittens were born 20-30 mins after the last. The biggest thing that freaked me out is right after the mucus plug came out, there was a sac that showed and it poped, another sac appeared right behind it. This first sac is what I am learning was the capsul that held all of the kittens and the second was the sac that actually held the baby. The each have their own. Good luck to you and your queen. Those are going to be some pretty babies. Let me know if I can answer any questions but you should know I was new at this as of last night. Also get a cheap scale to weigh babies. It has put my mind to ease.
Oh my goodness, sounds like quite the experience for you and her. How's Storm doing? Are her kittens thriving?

Constance has not eaten that I know of for probably close to 10 hours, which is not usual for her. She is beginning to get very clingy. Normally she wants to be near me, but tonight it's like she has to be right in my face. :-D I can feel a LOT of very strong movement tonight, more than I was able to before. I did have her confined to my bedroom, but she kept crying hysterically at the door, I don't want her to have any added stress, so I let her out. Right now she's laying down beside me, which is only the second time she has sat still for more than 10 minutes in the last 12 hours.

I purchased a scale a couple weeks ago in preparation of the birth, but great suggestion. I truly appreciate you sharing your experience. Best wishes to your Storm and her little ones.
 

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Oh wow! 7 kittens! You may want to weigh them daily to make sure that they are gaining enough! You may have a couple of runts!
 

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Awesome! I take it all went well. Do weigh the kittens daily.
 
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