|
Post by judypops on Jun 3, 2013 9:49:00 GMT
We haven't been to the vets to get a definite answer but Mrs.Woman is certainly getting rounder around the middle and not really anywhere else, so chances are she is pregnant. We have had her for around 6 weeks now, so we're expecting them any day, if any. I've moved her over to a bigger bed with lots of space for her and covered it with a blanket to make it more comfy. She probably know what to do in the actual labour but I'm concerned for what happens next. Is there anything we need or should look out for? Would someone be able to give me a basic summary of what happens from labour to 8 weeks, please? And another question which my mam and I have been pondering, how and where does a kitten go to the loo? Many thanks.
|
|
|
Post by tonib on Jun 3, 2013 11:38:07 GMT
daintipawz is probably the best to help you of the regular forum members. If I remember rightly you think Mrs Woman has had kittens before. However I must admit I'd probably want to get her checked at the vets to make sure everything is going OK, also so that they are aware of the situation in case you need their help. How old is she?
|
|
|
Post by judypops on Jun 3, 2013 11:48:03 GMT
daintipawz is probably the best to help you of the regular forum members. If I remember rightly you think Mrs Woman has had kittens before. However I must admit I'd probably want to get her checked at the vets to make sure everything is going OK, also so that they are aware of the situation in case you need their help. How old is she? We know she has had them before, when I was friends with my neighbours I remember her having them under their wooden shed. The idiot children tried to make the kittens go down the slide. I might see if we could bring her on dad's day off, she was supposed to go back anyway for her vaccines. I think she is roughly 8 or 9.
|
|
|
Post by lotsofcats on Jun 3, 2013 11:57:56 GMT
If you think Mrs. Woman is having kittens you should be able to feel them moving by now - place your hands gently on her tummy and see if you can feel them kicking. You should also be able to tell by her nipples - they go pink and more prominent from about 3 weeks.
I adopt a stray cat 2 years ago (Kali, my tortie cat) and she was having kittens. I went on the internet and printed off a list of what happens when the kitten are being born. It also gives the signs of when a cat goes into labour and any problems that can occur - I was really glad of that as Kali had problems where 2 birthing sacs were visible at the same time so I phoned the emergency vet (at midnight) and we had to take Kali to the vets for an emergency ceasarean.
Once mum has the kittens she usually takes care of the really well. Again, you get get information off the internet. With reference to the kittens going to the loo - the mum licks their rear ends until they go and she washes it away - sounds yucky, but that's how it is! Once the kittens reach about 3 weeks you can introduce them to kitten wet food gradually. This is when you have to get a litter tray as mum will be more reluctant to wash their rear ends once they start eating cat food. Kittens learn really quickly how to use a litter tray.
I would suggest that you take Mrs. Woman to the vet to confirm that she is expecting and they can give you a definite date that the kittens are due and then book her in to be spayed.
|
|
|
Post by judypops on Jun 3, 2013 12:11:24 GMT
Unfortunately, mam said the only time we could go would be next weekend. She is friendly and will let me pick her up but she is quite defensive about her tummy area, but when I picked her up a few days ago, I managed to feel a nipple and it was quite a bit bigger that I would think it to be if she wasn't pregnant. Thanks lotsofcats, quite gross. I know from Charlie and Morandi that they learn how use the tray quickly, Morandi took to it straight away, Charlie slept in it
|
|
|
Post by judypops on Jun 3, 2013 14:43:12 GMT
So far today she has eaten 1 can (400g) of food, a bit of kibble and a teaspoon of tuna ! She was also really friendly to me but I think she just wanted food . I got to put a hand on her tummy when she was laying down and I think I felt something kick or else it was a solitary hard pulse. :/ We need to evict the boys from somewhere to give her a nest, I was thinking my room as I'd be her main caretaker, but I don't think anybody would be thrilled about the litter tray being there.
|
|
|
Post by lotsofcats on Jun 3, 2013 15:10:36 GMT
By her photos I would say Mrs. Woman is expecting. If she is you will need to get her a large cardboard box where she can make a nesting area for herself. She will want it to be placed in a quiet area away from the other cats. Put newspaper and blankets in the bottom of it and try and cover part of it so it is partly dark in there. Place her in there so she gets used to it. Have you noticed her looking around in places (to have the kittens)? I think your bedroom would be a good place for her for the first few weeks.
|
|
|
Post by judypops on Jun 3, 2013 15:34:59 GMT
lotsofcats Not that I have noticed, she spends most of the day sleeping or eating. For an abandoned cat she likes the indoor life. I will ask Mam to get a big box from work. Chances are if she does have kittens, I'll be the only one at home, unless Mam came home from work if I called her. I think I've found some good articles about the whole process www.2ndchance.info/felinelabor.htmAt the moment she is sleeping on the sofa, she likes being high, but the sofa is sort of off limits, shhhh
|
|
|
Post by daintipawz on Jun 3, 2013 20:39:41 GMT
We haven't been to the vets to get a definite answer but Mrs.Woman is certainly getting rounder around the middle and not really anywhere else, so chances are she is pregnant. We have had her for around 6 weeks now, so we're expecting them any day, if any. I've moved her over to a bigger bed with lots of space for her and covered it with a blanket to make it more comfy. She probably know what to do in the actual labour but I'm concerned for what happens next. Is there anything we need or should look out for? Would someone be able to give me a basic summary of what happens from labour to 8 weeks, please? And another question which my mam and I have been pondering, how and where does a kitten go to the loo? Many thanks. On her date for delivery she will probably be a little restless, her waters may break and she will lose a mucous plug, as labour starts she will want to be in a quiet dark place, preferable a box with blankets or she may prefer a large cat carrier but you will need it to be easy for you to get at if need be, make sure she has drink of water nearby. You will need plenty of towels as she may get quite messy, she will start to have contractions and after an hour or so she will start to push, after about 20 minutes the first kitten may appear, if she doesn't seem to remove the kitten from the membrane sac you will need to do this, she may not even cut(chew) the cord so you will need to do this too, remember to remove the membrane first before cutting the cord otherwise the kitten will suffocate, cut the cord with your finger nails never pulling away from the kitten as this could cause an hernia, always tear towards the kittens tummy. You may need to rub the kitten with a facecloth and clean around its face, nose and mouth to allow it to breathe. Usually moggies do all this themselves but others need help, our Queens have always needed help and have hardly ever cut the cords themselves. Once the kitten is born she will push the placenta out, there should be one placenta for each kitten, make sure there is and there isn't any left inside. She should eat at least one after birth but doesn't have to eat them all. Once all kittens are born clean her up and give her clean bedding then leave her to feed her kittens and rest. If for any reason she starts to struggle and has been pushing for over an hour and no kitten showing it would be best to ring the vet, a kitten could be stuck in the birth canal and she may need the help of a vet. As for the kitten going to the loo....mother cat will clean her up for the first few weeks, once they are around three to four weeks they will follow their mum and will start to eat and use the litter tray, you should then start to introduce them to kitten food, if they refuse leave them a day or two and then try again. They should stay with mum until they are 12 weeks old and should be wormed and have first vaccinations at 9 weeks and a second lot at 12 weeks, by this time they are ready to go to new homes. Hope this helps.
|
|
|
Post by judypops on Jun 3, 2013 20:52:01 GMT
As for the kitten going to the loo....mother cat will clean her up for the first few weeks, once they are around three to four weeks they will follow their mum and will start to eat and use the litter tray, you should then start to introduce them to kitten food, if they refuse leave them a day or two and then try again. They should stay with mum until they are 12 weeks old and should be wormed and have first vaccinations at 9 weeks and a second lot at 12 weeks, by this time they are ready to go to new homes. Hope this helps. I thought it was 8 weeks, not 12 !! I hope it's soon if she is having them so I'm not in school. Would it be best to make a place for her that is off limits for the other cats ?
|
|
|
Post by daintipawz on Jun 3, 2013 21:07:29 GMT
Eight weeks is much too soon for a kitten to leave its mum, a lot of people do let them go so young and a lot of people will buy them but they really are too young to leave at that age. Many years ago kittens were sold at 6 to 8 weeks even in pet shops, people didn't have the knowledge they do today and no one had computers to research but everyone with cats should now be much more knowledgeable, kittens which leave too young can have problems later in life, usually behavioural problems and their social skills are not as they would be if they had left their mum at the right age. They may be feeding and litter trained but they are still learning from their mum upto being 12 weeks old. Yes definitely make a place for her away from the other cats, she needs a quiet room away from other pets, children etc. the room needs to be warm and curtains closed.
|
|
|
Post by judypops on Jun 3, 2013 21:33:49 GMT
That sounds like my room, a perfect lair !!! I will need to tidy it though, I don't fancy kittens being born on my pjs Thanks daintipawz, how's Taylor doing ?
|
|
|
Post by daintipawz on Jun 4, 2013 16:00:54 GMT
That sounds like my room, a perfect lair !!! I will need to tidy it though, I don't fancy kittens being born on my pjs Thanks daintipawz, how's Taylor doing ? Taylor is doing really well, she loves her babies and has made a brilliant mum, she loves the others to visit her and has really took to Victoria our new girl too.
|
|
|
Post by judypops on Jun 4, 2013 17:30:15 GMT
Taylor is doing really well, she loves her babies and has made a brilliant mum, she loves the others to visit her and has really took to Victoria our new girl too. Aww that's nice, I love Victoria's eyes but I think she'd look better with fur. Mrs.Woman was out sunning herself with me today, she's become really attached to me.
|
|
|
Post by heartpawprints on Jun 4, 2013 17:35:36 GMT
Sounds like Mrs Woman is aligning herself to someone who will look after her. Wise girl. Keep us all posted.
|
|