Can someone help

[Leiloo]

I wrote a thread a while ago about my cats attacking my dog, Leiloo. You all were so helpful and can't thank you enough. Thankfully, that problem seems to be under control.

Now, I have another problem and am hoping some of you could help me out. I found a stray cat today that is obviously very pregnant. I have brought her into the house and removed as many ticks and fleas as I could find. (she's in a seperate room from the rest of the pets because I don't want to stress her out) I also used pet wipes to clean her some. My only main concern is when she goes into labor. While I have fostered kittens before (I found a litter of 5 kittens under a month old) I don't have the slightest idea what I can do to help mom out when she goes into labor. My neighbor has offered to help me when the time comes but I don't want to be clueless about what to expect or what I should do. I have been doing as much research as I can today. I am hoping that some of you with more experience can help me out here. I'm so nervous. And I would feel beyond guilty if anything were to happen to the kittens because of my ignorance. I was thinking of calling a foster group but I know how over crowded they are and wouldn 't want to burden them with something I can possibly do.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

[Cataholic]

Welcome to PT, again...I know there are people on here that will be able to help, I am just not one of them. Do you think you could change your post to say something like, "Can you help me..." not that people won't see this, I was just thinking of getting you as much exposure as possible....How close to birthing is she, if you know? I think their gestation is 62 days.....I think! And, I think they do better solo than other species...but, again my experience is limited to taking a kitty to the vet for c-section.

Good luck!!

[Leiloo]

How would I be able to change the subject? I didn't even think that by posting such a subject would hurt it but I can see what you mean as I talk on a regular basis on a dog forum and would normally skip such a thread in disgust :(

I'm not certain how close she is but her nipples are rather large and her belly is round. I read that a cat's pregnancy lasts 62-63 days.

Thank you so much for you quick reply.

[Cataholic]

You are welcome...and that is exactly why I suggested it to you...I normally woulda skipped it, thinking it was sad or bad news...so, try to edit it...see where it says edit on the top, next to the quote button?

[Leiloo]

Thanks for your help.

BTW, your Georgia looks exactly like my Bandit :)

[moosmom]

Leiloo,

The first thing to do is make up a "birthing" box for her out of a cardboard box lined with plastic and layered with old towels and rags. When you cut the box, make sure you cut an "edge" on it so that the mama can get out if she needs a break, but large enough so that the kittens won't fall out.

Make sure she has a clean litterbox, food and water and keep her in the back room. Do not let her out of the room or the house.

Pregnancy gestation for cats is 63 days. Since you say her nipples are large as well as her belly, she's probably due any day now.

When she starts getting antsy, not eating, that is usually a sign that she will probably go into labor within 24-48 hours. Just keep an eye on her once this starts happening. Unless one of the kittens or mama goes into distress during birth, it's best to just let her handle it. Cats have been giving birth for many years and nature has a way of taking care of them.

The kittens eyes will begin to open in about 3 weeks after they're born. Just continue to watch them and make sure mama is taking care of them and not ignoring any of them.

Good luck. If you need any more information, please feel free to post or PM me.

[NoahsMommy]

I have no experience here, but I found a great website for you....
Stages of Labor (http://www.cats.petloverstalk.com/stages_of_labor.htm)
After you read the stages, click on "When to help" at the bottom...

I wish you lots of luck, you are very kind to take this kitty in and help her. :)

[Cataholic]

YIPPEE! Another kitty problem "Solved"!!!! Let's get ready for some pictures of the newbies!!!!!!! Way to help out, Donna AND Noahsmommy :)

[Leiloo]

Thanks so much for all your help. I have printed out all the information you have given me as well as the info from the website. I hope everything goes smoothly and she won't need my help! I also had my boyfriend buy me a book, just in case :) I'll keep you all posted and hopefully will be able to figure out how to post pictures of my 4 (1 dog, 3 cats) and Mama cat with her litter. I tried taking a picture of her today but she freaked over th camera and decided not to stress her.

A million thanks again to everyone! :D

[NoahsMommy]

Any time! Looking forward to seeing some pictures...if you need help with that, feel free to PM me.

[smokey the elder]

Good luck with the momma and kittens-to-be. Mother cats usually don't need assistance. Bosun gave birth to her litter while I was at a fund raiser for my rescue group! I got home and she was nursing three tiny fuzzballs, with no help from the silly human!:rolleyes:

[hellostranger]

Hi Leiloo,

I was in the same position about 7 years ago when I brought in a tabby kitty who was pregnant. I'd never had a pregnant cat before and I was really nervous. I made her a box like moosmom suggested and I showed it to her. She seemed to know what it was for right away, and then I cleaned out the bottom of a closet and set her new box in there with food and water. Just before she gave birth I heard her in her box scratching and rearranging all the shirts and rags....I sat next to the closet door and talked to her in a calm voice but she was really fine on her own. Just as a warning so you don't freak out too much like I did: one of her kittens was born dead. I panicked immediately and called the emergency vet (why do these things always happen on Sunday?) to make sure I wasn't doing anything wrong. They told me that if this was her first litter and she was a stray cat that it is very common for her to have one kitten born dead. She ignored it completely and never even cared when I carefully took it out of her box. Her other three were perfect and she washed them very carefully. After she was finished she started running through the house like a mad kitty, charging around corners and running up walls. I panicked (again!!) and called the emergency vet (those poor people :) ) they told me to calm down and that the kittens would be fine while Mom ran around - they didn't need constant attention.

The only other thing I can think of is that she moved her kittens twice during the first two weeks. I think that's because she was a stray, but the first time I found the box empty I (you guessed it!) panicked. The first time she moved them under a bed and the next time behind a couch.

I hope everything works out for you. Looking back, having kittens in my closet was a great experience and I wouldn't have missed it for anything.

And don't forget: Pictures! Pictures! :D

Laura

[Leiloo]

I am feeling so much better with all of your responses. I can definitely see myself calling my vet for everything like Laura did :D I'm sure he wishes he had never given me his private number :p It's a good thing his wife loves me!! Pictures of mom will be posted later today. I am at work right now and am usually scolded for talking of forums :confused:

Thanks again everyone! You all have been incredibly helpful. I'm so glad a friend of mine directed me to you all.

[moosmom]

The less stress this mama, has the better. Mama cats move their kittens if they feel threatened or in any kind of distress. The best thing you can do for her is keep her in a quiet room with a nightlight and soft music playing.

[Leiloo]

Alright, hold your breath. Here are my attempts at posting pictures of Missy. Drum roll please...:D

[Leiloo]

I didn't want an attachment but that's all I know for now so here is another of her.

By the way, her tag reads: I am pregnant. Please return me to... my name and address and number. Never can be too careful, especially with strays. :)

[Cataholic]

Hi there, Momma!!! Can't wait to see your babies...

I have a question, is she still an outside cat??

[Leiloo]

No no no!! :eek: She's living indoors. I took her outdoors to do her thing because she wasn't catching on to the whole litter box thing. She used it not that long ago, thankfully! :)

[NoahsMommy]

What a cute girl! I just love tabbies...

[ChrisH]

Aww, she is cute. :)
It is good of you to have taken her in and are taking such good care of her. Bless you.

[Vio&Juni]

Her color resembles Juni's color.
Juni was born in our house too. We prepared a box with some sheet wadding for Naomi in advance. She liked it and she knew what to do, even if that was her first time. She had the only one kitten, which was not a surprise, given she was a small kitty. We tried not to interfere. Naomi's problem was that she kept hiding Juni the first 2 weeks under the cover of the couch. So, we decided to not use the cover for a while. Juni was soooooo small, you couldn't notice her under the cover and seat on her :eek:
Good luck!
Your kitty is very beautiful, I hope the kittens will be too and there won't be a problem for them to find a forever home with good humans.

[Barbara]

Oh, she looks sooo cute.
And definitely pregnant. My first cat Grisette had babies once but I have nothing to add to what the others said: It was a great experience for me to see how easy it was for her. She was in her box in a quiet corner of the room and got 4 kittens while purring.
Cats are sooo good moms.
It will be a hard time for both of you but a very touching and funny time too. Soo glad that she found you. :) :) :)

[Cataholic]

Originally posted by Leiloo
No no no!! :eek: She's living indoors. I took her outdoors to do her thing because she wasn't catching on to the whole litter box thing. She used it not that long ago, thankfully! :)


Wooh, that is soooo goood to hear! Good luck G'ma!