- Joined
- Nov 2, 2020
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Hi all! So glad I stumbled upon this forum. I’m hoping I can get some answers and support from experienced cat owners. Sorry in advance for the long post, I’ll try to make as short as possible. I just need some people to talk to and perhaps a little peace of mind. Support I guess
Basically, there’s been a stray black cat hanging around my house pretty much every day since spring of this year. In late June, she started coming by with three kittens. I’m not sure if they were hiding/living in my yard, but they were there just about every morning. Some days they would stay in my yard from morning til evening. They seemed hungry so I would occasionally feed them. But otherwise looked healthy. So I wasn’t completely sure if they were strays or simply outdoor cats.
Maybe 3-4 weeks later the kittens stopped coming around and only the mother came by every day. She’s so sweet and friendly with the tiniest meow. Constantly seeking attention and would rub against me and roll around on her back. When she did this I could clearly see her nipples were enlarged. Lol She was always extremely hungry and after a couple weeks it appeared she was gaining weight! My friend and I were wondering if she was pregnant again. Her nipples and stomach looked big and she had that pear-shaped figure when sitting.
This was in the summer. Now we’re in November and I never saw a new litter of kittens. But she has still looked the same all this time. Clearly visible nipples, round abdomen, retaining that “pear-shape”. Always hungry, always seeking affection.
I asked around, still unsure if she’s a stray, and none of my neighbors claimed her. I’ve watched her walk the neighborhood and never saw her go into a house. I’m becoming fond of her and since it’s getting cold out, I decided to take her in. I’ve been calling her Charlee. I took Charlee to the vet last week for an exam and to make sure she wasn’t microchipped.
The vet said she does NOT have a microchip. And appeared healthy but she suspected that the Charlee is pregnant. Her reason was that the Charlee’s mammary glands are swollen and her stomach felt firm. I explained that she’s had kittens in the past. But the vet said normally their mammary glands would have gone down by now unless she was pregnant again.
But I swear, she looks exactly the same now as she did 4 months ago...
The only thing I’ve noticed since bringing her into my home and spending more time with her up close is that only two of her nipples on her right side are swollen. And when I very lightly pet her stomach (I know I have to be careful), that swollen area does feel firm and also lumpy. Like there’s two or three golf balls in her stomach.
I’m taking Charlee back to the vet in a couple weeks for an x-ray, so we can confirm the pregnancy and get an idea of how many kittens. But I could use some discussion until then to calm my mind. I’m so nervous about the whole situation. I only have experience with pets that have been spayed or neutered.
My question: is it normal for pregnant a cat’s belly to only be enlarged on one side and feel lumpy? Also, personal opinion: does she sound pregnant or does it seem like something else is going on?
I just want Charles to be safe and healthy and for her to have a smooth pregnancy if she is in fact pregnant.
Thanks everyone!
Basically, there’s been a stray black cat hanging around my house pretty much every day since spring of this year. In late June, she started coming by with three kittens. I’m not sure if they were hiding/living in my yard, but they were there just about every morning. Some days they would stay in my yard from morning til evening. They seemed hungry so I would occasionally feed them. But otherwise looked healthy. So I wasn’t completely sure if they were strays or simply outdoor cats.
Maybe 3-4 weeks later the kittens stopped coming around and only the mother came by every day. She’s so sweet and friendly with the tiniest meow. Constantly seeking attention and would rub against me and roll around on her back. When she did this I could clearly see her nipples were enlarged. Lol She was always extremely hungry and after a couple weeks it appeared she was gaining weight! My friend and I were wondering if she was pregnant again. Her nipples and stomach looked big and she had that pear-shaped figure when sitting.
This was in the summer. Now we’re in November and I never saw a new litter of kittens. But she has still looked the same all this time. Clearly visible nipples, round abdomen, retaining that “pear-shape”. Always hungry, always seeking affection.
I asked around, still unsure if she’s a stray, and none of my neighbors claimed her. I’ve watched her walk the neighborhood and never saw her go into a house. I’m becoming fond of her and since it’s getting cold out, I decided to take her in. I’ve been calling her Charlee. I took Charlee to the vet last week for an exam and to make sure she wasn’t microchipped.
The vet said she does NOT have a microchip. And appeared healthy but she suspected that the Charlee is pregnant. Her reason was that the Charlee’s mammary glands are swollen and her stomach felt firm. I explained that she’s had kittens in the past. But the vet said normally their mammary glands would have gone down by now unless she was pregnant again.
But I swear, she looks exactly the same now as she did 4 months ago...
The only thing I’ve noticed since bringing her into my home and spending more time with her up close is that only two of her nipples on her right side are swollen. And when I very lightly pet her stomach (I know I have to be careful), that swollen area does feel firm and also lumpy. Like there’s two or three golf balls in her stomach.
I’m taking Charlee back to the vet in a couple weeks for an x-ray, so we can confirm the pregnancy and get an idea of how many kittens. But I could use some discussion until then to calm my mind. I’m so nervous about the whole situation. I only have experience with pets that have been spayed or neutered.
My question: is it normal for pregnant a cat’s belly to only be enlarged on one side and feel lumpy? Also, personal opinion: does she sound pregnant or does it seem like something else is going on?
I just want Charles to be safe and healthy and for her to have a smooth pregnancy if she is in fact pregnant.
Thanks everyone!