please give me some advice on this! (:

jennifer · #1 (**permalink**) 25-09-2007, 08:43 PM

hi there im not rele sure if this is the place to ask but my sisters cat is pregnant but we arent rele sure how long it will be untill she has her babys,as it was unplanned!

we no she has been pregnant for atleast 5/6 weeks maybe even more,her tummy is verry big now and u can feel the kittens wen u feel her tummy,she hasnt rele been "nesting"
but her nipples are quite prominent.

it would be rele exelent if some one could give me a little advice,on iether how long they think it will be or what to look for wile we are waiting,and if we are going to need to do anything spesific to help her out.

thanx
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Robbie · #2 (**permalink**) 25-09-2007, 09:03 PM

Cat pregnancy is normally 2 months. 60 odd days so at 6 weeks your cat will be in the late stages of pregnancy.
Cats are quite the naturals at the birthing process.

BADGERS MUM · #3 (**permalink**) 25-09-2007, 09:05 PM

i think cats carry for around 9 weeks,so she must almost be due any from then ,you can make her a nesting box up somewhere quiet,put some warm comfy blankets in there and try to keep her indoors,cats have a habit of wanting to do things alone and she may sneak off to have them and you wont know if she gets into difficulties,fingers crossed all goes well for her and post kitty pics soon

jennifer · #4 (**permalink**) 25-09-2007, 09:09 PM

ok thanx.just had a littl read up on the net about what to look for

will there be any milk cumming from the nipples just before the birth?
or will that onle happen wen she has the kittens?

as i was told she will start producing milk just before she gives birth

we have got her a nesting box all set up and we are keeping her in the house for the time nieng until she delivers,she is a verry small built cat and i was wondering if this may cause her any problems?

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BADGERS MUM · #5 (**permalink**) 25-09-2007, 09:12 PM

she should produce milk b4 hand anytime from now on really,if shes small it may cause problems so keep a close eye on her,if her BF was a big old tom and her birth canal is not huge she may get one stuck,personally id speak to my vet and try and get him/her on stand by incase,but as robin said cats mainly sail thro with no issues

jennifer · #6 (**permalink**) 25-09-2007, 09:16 PM

ok exelent.
we will have the vet on standby,
just incase,shes all cumfy in her box now
my sis just dosent want to go out one day and then miss
the birth just incase!

well ill keep u all informed!
it seams like she will be ready to drop any day now!!
cant wait!
ill post piks wen they are here!!

(:

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BADGERS MUM · #7 (**permalink**) 25-09-2007, 09:54 PM

good luck to you and your sis,everything will be fine and youll have loads of little meows b4 you know it

feorag · #8 (**permalink**) 25-09-2007, 11:21 PM

The actual gestation period for a cat is 63-65 days, but most queens go for 65/66 days. A queen will normally "pink-up" (her nipples will change from the creamy colour of her skin to a nice shade of pink) at about 3/4 weeks into the pregnancy and when you can feel the nipples by just running your hand under her belly, she's usually about 5/6 weeks pregnant.

The milk usually starts to come down the day before the kittens are born.

Usually the first sign that she is going into labour will be restlesness. She will probably wander about, searching for somewhere to nest (she may not choose the nest box you've made her and you may have to encourage her into it), she will also follow you or anyone else who will give her a cuddle. If you have any other cats in the house she is very likely to encourage them to go into the box with her or she will follow after them, crying.

Watch her spine very carefully and when she goes into first stage labour you should involuntary spasms running down her back. This is the kittens beginning their journey down the birth canal. This stage can last quite a few hours, but eventually you will see real contractions and this is when she has to start doing all the work!

Most kittens are born hind legs first and this is a normal presentation. Head first is better for the queen because hind legs first means she has a problem passing the head. Full breech where the legs are tucked in and the kitten is coming bottom first is the hardest.

It can take a long time for the first kitten to be born, from the point when you can see the bubble of fluid that precedes the kitten, so be patient and don't panic.

When the first kitten is born she will clean it and eat the afterbirth, however, you should watch her carefully as maiden queens have been known to chew the kitten's tail instead of the cord.

The kittens can be born as close together as 5 mins and as far apart as an hour - it can vary quite a bit.

The most important thing is to check that with each kitten you get a placenta! sometimes the placenta can become detached in the birth canal and the queen may not pass it. A retained placenta can cause fevere and major problems for the queen, so I cannot stress that too highly.

I hope this all helps, but please post again or pm me if you want any more information or help.

quizicalkat · #9 (**permalink**) 26-09-2007, 11:28 AM

All of the above is excellent advice.

I have just one thing to add..

I find it useful to have some rough air dryed towels handy. and, if you worried about a kitten being a bit still the hold it in your hand so that it's head is at the lowest point and give it a rub with the towel.

My cats insist I stay with them, at least until the 1st one is born, bless them.

I hope it all goes well for you - let us know what happens

ruby · #10 (**permalink**) 26-09-2007, 12:08 PM

just to add the mum cat can get pregnant again when kittens are about 6 weeks old so your sister will have to get her dressed

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