Expert: Marcia Owen - 12/21/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

My persian cat is pregnant and is due anytime now (60 days pregnant).. But I never saw the kittens moving in her belly, is this normal? A week ago I took her for an ultrasound and everything was ok both the cat and her babies.
Also, what are the sign that I should look for when she's about to deliver? she still did not show any sign of labor.

Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Moe

I am glad you have had the ultrasound scan to show all is well as it is unusual not to see kittens moving unless they are only having 1 kitten.  It may be that they are tightly packed and her muscles are so strong that you cannot see them.  Also being a Persian her fur may well hide small movements.

When she is due to have them, she may well get restless, start looking for a nest if she hasn't already, may want to be near you all the time.  The very first signs which you may miss, is she will lose some mucus and then she will become very damp down her back end.  The time lapse from this happening can be anything from an hour up to 24 hours.  After that it will be obvious when she is in labour.

Looks like you will be having some little bundles for Christmas!

Marcia

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi again,

Thanks for the tips..
today I took her temperature twice and it was about 37.7 Celcius.
To my knowing, queens temperature drops to 37.5 when they are about to deliver. I know her current temp is a little higher but that can be due to a slight inaccuracy of the thermometer.
She seems relaxed and very quiet and eating normally. No mucus or discharge yet! What do you think about this? Is she gonna have her babies within 24 hours?
My cat is a really hard to predict kitty! remember the video I sent you on youtube when she was mating, and she did not have the rolling over thing and did not scream once the tomcat was done, beleive it or not she got pregnant, although every one was telling me that she did not mate correctly LOL! This is why i'm thinking she might not exhibit any behavioural changes once she's ready to deliver. she's a very laid back cat with a very calm personality which is strange somehow! she also enjoys bathing!!!
Please do let me know what you think! Its my first experience with a pregnant cat and I'm quite nervous !!

Thanks

Answer
Unfortunately cats don't read the book so keep us guessing.  I would say she has a bit longer to go yet.  The normal gestation is around 65 days and I seem to remember you said she was at about 60 days a couple of days ago so she probably has a few more days to go yet.  You will just have to be patient and vigilant.

I can identify with your cat not mating in the traditional way as I have a girl who is half Persian, who didn't do any of the rolling etc after mating but she had 3 beautiful kittens.

Just keep an eye on your girl and if she gets to 69/70 days and nothing happens then have her checked out by the vet.

Marcia.