Not the usual signs of labour

[beckyboo93]

Hi all!

I'm new here, but have been reading the forums for a while and decided to become part of this lovely community

So I have a 2 year old ragdoll, who successfully escaped whilst me and my partner were abroad. My cats are indoor cats, and I didn't know about this until we saw her escaping on the CCTV once we returned home. My partner's parents were caring for them at the time and didn't let us know.

Anddd of course, she fell pregnant my other 2 cats are spayed and I'll be honest, getting her booked in got forgotten about on my to do list due to LOTS of family issues.

Anyway, today is day 69-70. She's picked at food throughout the day, and does have a small amount of brown/red discharge. With her being very fluffy it's difficult to see how much exactly. I haven't noticed any waters breaking, and she has always been vocal so I haven't noticed any increase.
She becomes far too stressed when I attempt to take her temperature, and as of now she has shown no nesting behaviour but does like to be in the same room as me, and she's sprawled across the floor. She's actually become much less affectionate over the last couple of weeks, she used to love cuddles but now she just constantly looks fed up. She has 0 interest in the 8 birthing boxes I made for her (I went a little ott and put one in every new place she's slept!)
One new behaviour is that she has attempted to escape the house all day..

I was curious if anyone else has experienced a cat not showing the standard behaviours prior to labour? As from what I've read, I'm assuming the discharge means they'll be on their way soon? This is her (and my) first litter. So we're super excited. Thank you

 

[StefanZ]

Hi all!

I'm new here, but have been reading the forums for a while and decided to become part of this lovely community

So I have a 2 year old ragdoll, who successfully escaped whilst me and my partner were abroad. My cats are indoor cats, and I didn't know about this until we saw her escaping on the CCTV once we returned home. My partner's parents were caring for them at the time and didn't let us know.

Anddd of course, she fell pregnant my other 2 cats are spayed and I'll be honest, getting her booked in got forgotten about on my to do list due to LOTS of family issues.

Anyway, today is day 69-70. She's picked at food throughout the day, and does have a small amount of brown/red discharge. With her being very fluffy it's difficult to see how much exactly. I haven't noticed any waters breaking, and she has always been vocal so I haven't noticed any increase.
She becomes far too stressed when I attempt to take her temperature, and as of now she has shown no nesting behaviour but does like to be in the same room as me, and she's sprawled across the floor. She's actually become much less affectionate over the last couple of weeks, she used to love cuddles but now she just constantly looks fed up. She has 0 interest in the 8 birthing boxes I made for her (I went a little ott and put one in every new place she's slept!)
One new behaviour is that she has attempted to escape the house all day..

I was curious if anyone else has experienced a cat not showing the standard behaviours prior to labour? As from what I've read, I'm assuming the discharge means they'll be on their way soon? This is her (and my) first litter. So we're super excited. Thank you

First, dont take her temp is it stresses her. At least, not in the behind. There are other, less invasvie and stressful ways.

Does she like her belly rubbed? Do so. Many queens like shortly before the delivery.

Has she dropped? ie suddenly seems less pregnant? Not all drops visibly, but its a fairly good sign - delivery comes a day or two after.

69 days is long, but cats manage a too long pregnancy fairly well, while kittens manage badly to be premature.

So, usually its just to wait and see.

Do you have access to a vet experienced in cat obstetrics?

 

[beckyboo93]

She normally does like her belly rubbed, but hasn't for the past two days. She did however let me do it briefly this evening and seemed to enjoy it.. until she decided enough was enough and returned to sprawling out across the living room floor away from me.

I believe she has dropped, but I'm only saying this as I think her belly appears slightly lower. It's difficult to say for certain due to her fluffiness and I'm concerned I'm just wishful thinking due to the excitement! When stroking her she no longer feels as round at the top. When she allowed me to stroke her belly this evening I noticed she has lost some of the hair around her nipples and they appear larger.

I do, I spoke to my vet a couple of times over the past week and at the moment she isn't concerned. With it being her first litter the vet advised that they can sometimes run slightly over, but I'm lucky that they are only down the road and offer emergency out of hours should any issues arise

 

[beckyboo93]

Today she's a lot more vocal, uncomfortable (pacing between different rooms and the briefly napping whilst sprawled across the tiled floor) and passing a lot of yellowish discharge. I think her waters broke this morning as her tail was wet, she also keeps visiting the litter tray but not passing anything. Am I right in thinking this is the beginning of their arrival?

 

[StefanZ]

Today she's a lot more vocal, uncomfortable (pacing between different rooms and the briefly napping whilst sprawled across the tiled floor) and passing a lot of yellowish discharge. I think her waters broke this morning as her tail was wet, she also keeps visiting the litter tray but not passing anything. Am I right in thinking this is the beginning of their arrival?

Lets hope for this... Sounds as the early labor has started. This phase MAY go on quite long. although the actve pushing phase is shorter than with humans.

 

[beckyboo93]

Well we've just finished welcoming 5 little babies in to the world she started having contractions not long after my last reply, and decided to give birth in my office under the desk
I've put one of her beds there and she's now sleeping with the kittens nursing.

Called the vet and got her booked in to be spayed in the near future. I never wanted to breed cats and have always rescued, so this was a first for me!

 

[StefanZ]

The most common is to spay when they are 8 weeks. But may be done earlier if necessary. Momma can usually continue to nurse at latest next day. Vet can lay the incision aside, not disturbing thevteats.