Ask the Veterinarian/Pregnant cat

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Expert: - 8/11/2010


Question
Hi
My cat is nearly 3 years old and is pregnant. I only noticed she was pregnant becaus once i returned from holiday her nipples were larger and pinker. So i guessed she was about 3 weeks gone. I noticed that on the 22nd of july 2010. Now i can feel lumps poping in and out of her belly when she is lying down and she seems to be sleeping all day inside. I am confused as to when she should be due as I dont know the date of mating. Could you inform me and also tell me what i am to expect in the next few weeks to give me a clue labour is coming? I have already put a box down for her and she goes in it but not for long, she also jumps in shelves cuboards....but again just sniffs and leaves is that her nesting?
Any help will be must apprieciated
Thank you

Answer
Nesting is really obvious. They will look for dark place,such as a closet or drawer, cupboard or cubby hole. They will shred papers or things at times to line it but most of the time they will just go there and have them.

Since she must go outside (isn't that how she got pregnant?) she may have them outside and you might not find them.

A normal gestation for a cat is 9 weeks. Impending labor the cat will be agitated and meow a lot or be very secretive and hide. Depends on the cat.

She needs to be on a high quality kitten growth formula food now and all the way through weaning. Get her an 8 lb bag of Science Diet Kitten Growth formula. Just leave it in a bowl for her now and let her free feed.

I am kind of surprised that she wasn't spayed already at the age of three. I hope that you get her spayed once the kittens are gone. That will lessen her risk of breast cancers.

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

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PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

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I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

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Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

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Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

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Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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