[Chirys]

I'd like to start off saying that I support spay/neuter 1000%, and that she's not my kitten. XD

So a couple weeks ago there was tiny kitten crying outside my window and I looked outside to see a kitten that's maybe 6-8 months old (tops). It wasn't until I coaxed her to me with food that I realized she had kitties on the way.

I thought she was quite far along, since I could feel and see them, and her nipples were rather swollen and pronounced. However 2 weeks later she's since double her body mass (at least!) and still no kittens. To give you an idea at how much weight she's gained, I was able to feel every bone in her spine without any difficulty. Now that she's fattened up I can't even feel the kittens.

Is there anyone experienced with pregnant mothers who might have an idea?

PS; she's been to the vet for a check up already. the $&@^# said that there's "no possible way to know" but I know that's got to be total bs.

[ManOfConstantSorrow]

You could always get a second opinion from another vet. I have found some vets to be rather more interested in money than being helpful.

[lizardlady]

Well, my first thought was that if her nipples are swollen she's about two weeks from her due date, except you said that was two weeks ago.

Do you know when she was in heat? If you do, you can calculate from then. Cats carry for about 62 days. (I think that's right)

[Chirys]

I would try another vet only I super duper don't have the money. I could dig it up if there's an emergency or a problem with her, but all my money for the month went into rent and meds lol.

@Lady; I don't know when she went into heat. The first time I saw her was when she was crying at my window.

Physically she's not quite rounded when she's standing, but her tummy bulges out when she lays down. And 2 weeks ago the babies were the size of my thumb. I'm so excited! They're so tiny.

[Iva23]

Hello guys. I have been having a cat for so long. So from my personal experience i can tell you that when cat is pregnant i mean in her early stages she is not eating anything except for milk. One can pregnancy lasts like about two moths and a half and the day when the little kittens are about to be born she will hide herself so that no one can see her.

[Silent Void]

I'm so excited for you! You're going to be a mom! I wish it was me.

Post pictures if you can.

[ManOfConstantSorrow]

Cat rescue places are full of catty good sense -you could ask them, and may even make a donation when your finances improve.

[Chirys]

I'll post plenty. I know there's at least 3, and I think as many as 5. From what I felt. But now that she's got some weight on her I can't feel them anymore. It's hilarious though. I used see them move when she was sleeping, and she'd startle herself awake. And now I see her do it for no reason and laugh because I know they woke her up. Haha.

A cat rescue is a good idea, I'll make a couple calls after work tomorrow.

[possum220]

Does sounds she has long to go.....

[Lexi232]

the best way to tell is by her actions and the changes in her ... um... chest. .. anyways, its funny (in a ironic type of sense), that she is about 6-8 months, and that she seeked you out. often cats who are preggo will become much more caring and usually get taken inside due to this. and they usually find a permanent home during this time as well.
Like you are doing, she needs an non-ending supply of food and water. especially since its unclear how many there are.
a few things is, if her ... chest.. has pockets under them, which would be milk being produced, she will only have 1-4 weeks left to go. since she is a younger cat, keep the vet number on hand incase she goes into labor and has some sort of complications. (make sure the vet has a emergency reachable number). younger because it means shes not fully grown yet, and its unknown how grown the male cat was (or male catS were).
She'll start being restless and doing things that might make a person think she's in a litterbox but it's. generally the girl is just "nesting" which means shes not actually going to be using the potty outside of the actual litterbox (unless its an accident).
give her options during this point for her to choose and decide if it's safe to have her kittens there. make sure she's in an area that no other pets or animals have access to. and also keep moving her away from behind the tv or other areas that are commonly a corded area. (lol seems like the number one place cats like to nest down in, is behind the tv around the cords).

theres two types of preggo cats.. the ones that want to be alone and isolated while giving birth, and the ones that just might squat down right on your lap. but once she does go into labor, you'll want to keep the area calm, and just let her do her thing, because if any sudden sounds or a "oh no! not there!!" happens, she's likely to cease the labor and will put it on hold for anywhere from 2 hours to 4 days (and if it happens theres a more likely hood that there will be complications during labor the next time). depending on the size, and her willingness with wanting you around during this time, she may need help with the first few kittens that come along.
Most of the things online are geared towards the breeding community, but its the same for stray cats as well. the term they use for the preggo cat is the "queen".

my cat that i had, cassie. she was small and young still, but things went smoothly for the most part. I had to help in the beginning because she couldn't reach her back area for the first few kittens, but she did it all herself besides that. and then later on when we thought it was finished, i came back to count the kittens and make sure all were okay, there was one extra.. lol so it was quite a suprise to find out there was 6 kittens instead of 5.

it will be pretty cool towards the end of her pregnancy, because you'll be able to see her belly moving around as if it were pooh's hungry tummy rumbling. and you'll prolly even feel them kicking and punching and rolling if you hold your hand gently on her tummy.

she'll also be licking her behind area a lot beforehand.

one of the main key pics that i have, is this one (she was a few days off from giving birth) :

of course like humans, all cat pregnancies differ.

[Chirys]

Thanks Lexi, that was all really helpful.

I have a spot set up in my bedroom, which the other cats aren't allowed into, and she spends most of her time in there or within a foot of me because she hates them all. She's kind of cantankerous, and fearless.

I have 2 numbers written down, one for a vet down the road and another for the closest after-hours emergency vet. Her health is my number one concern, she's been through enough and has already made herself into my spoiled little princess.

I know there's 3, minimum, maybe 5. And the tomcats outside around here are..... impressively large for outdoor cats. An she's a little 6 pound thing. XD

Her nipples look almost just like Cassie's (she's beautiful btw, love a tuxedo) the only difference is that her tummy isn't quiiite as swollen and Cassie's are a little balder.

She's been licking at her goodies since I brought her in. But she has tapeworms, which I've been working on getting rid of, so that might explain a lot of that unfortunately...

Originally Posted by Lexi232

one of the main key pics that i have, is this one (she was a few days off from giving birth) :

of course like humans, all cat pregnancies differ.

Please post a warning before uploading explicit photographs of your pet

[Chirys]

I laughed so hard I'm surprised I didn't wake my boyfriend up!