AboutNorman Auspitz Expertise I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.
Experience I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.
Organizations Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.
Publications Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook
Education/Credentials I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.
Awards and Honors We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.
Question Hi my cat Kauket is Pregnant, we thougt her Expected due date to be around the july 15... Everything I know about a cat being pregnant I have learned from the internet.... this is our First Pregnancy....... Kauket is 7 months old she got pregnant on her first heat..... 2 days ago she had a brownish blood colored discharge ( was told that was normal that she should have her kittens in the next 24 hours) she is still eating and Drinking perfectly fine. she isnt nesting at all..... this morning she looked like she was having minor contractions... but have now stopped...... I also have he sister from the same litter she was from and she seems to be helping her alot, Kauket wouldn't clean the discharge when she had it but Tefnut (her sister) cleaning it for her..... I am very worried about my cat and I dont have a clue if any of this is normal or what to do about it..... if any one could help me or give me information it would be very appreciated
Thank you
Kristen and Brian
Answer Kristen & Brian,
7 Months is too young for a queen to be pregnant and having kittens. Be that as it may, here is a bit of an information dump on what to expect.
Cat gestation is normally 65-67 days with 63 days being a normal minimum and 69 days being a normal maximum. Anything over 69 days would mean a visit to the vet! You should be able to see and feel the kittens moving in the last week and a half to 2 weeks of pregnancy.
Here is the problem. Every queen seems to want to do it a little differently, so the best I can do is give you some guidelines.
Anywhere from a week before birth up until the onset of birth or anywhere in between, she will get her milk in. In this time frame she may also have a mucous/bloody discharge. (Although these events may start at different times during this time frame).
Anywhere from a few days before birth up until the onset of birth or anywhere in between, she may exhibit nesting behavior and restlessness. Also, in this time frame her kittens will form hard knots and begin to move backward and downward in her abdomen. This is really the very early stages of labor. (Although these events may start at different times during this time frame).
Anywhere from a few hours before birth up until the onset of birth or anywhere in between, her water may break and she will have what are called positioning contractions where she begins to get the kittens in line for birth.
You will know hard labor when you see it. Once she starts her birthing contractions, it is usually about an hour before the first kitten is all the way out. About 50% of the kittens are breech, so although it is a bit tougher, it is normal for the first kitten to be breech.
A couple of things you want to have handy are a roll of paper towels, a bottle of isopropyl alcohol, scissors (in case you have to cut the cords), and a soft face cloth to clean the kitten's face if mama does not do it immediately.
I like to use a "jumbo" cardboard storage chest (10" X 16" X 26") as a birthing box. Put some old sheeting or toweling inside. Put it somewhere you can easily get to, in a warm spot away from drafts, and away from young children and other pets. You can half cover it with a towel, so it seems more den like.
Make sure your vet knows what is going on, so, in case she has trouble, you have arrangements about what you must do.
Please let me know if you have any more questions.
