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Cats/pregnant cat

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Expert: - 5/4/2010


Question
My catis pregnant and I'm not sure if she's in labour or not?

Answer
Hi Shalon.  Signs of labor include a blood-tinged discharge, purring, rhythmic breathing, and the abdominal sides hardening with contractions.  Many cats will visit the litter box frequently as they have the urge to push and confuse this with the need to defecate.  Some cats will hide as they get ready to deliver their kittens, but many others will become clingy and follow their owners around everywhere they go.  Cats tend not to be very interested in food or water when they are in labor.

If your cat is showing signs of labor but doesn't deliver any kittens within 24 hours, or she is actually pushing to deliver a kitten but no kitten is born within an hour, she should see a vet.  This can indicate a serious problem with delivery, which can be deadly not only to her kittens but also to her.  Some cats need an injection of Pitocin to strengthen contractions.  Others may not be able to deliver kittens on their own and will need to be manipulated by the vet, or even delivered by c-section.

Best of luck!

Jessica  

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Jessica

Expertise

The areas in which I have gained the most experience are cat health and feral cat management/rescue. I provide supportive care to chronically ill cats, hospice care to terminally ill cats and also am involved in trap-neuter-return efforts. My specialities lie in taming feral cats and in the allopathic treatment of cats with illnesses or special needs. I also have owned Siamese, Himalayans, Abyssinians, Russian Blues, Savannahs, Bengals, Peterbalds, Don Sphynx and Oriental Shorthairs and am well-versed in cat breeds as well as cat behavior and nutrition.

Experience

I have 15 years of extensive experience with cats ranging from breeding to medical care. My daily routine consists of caring for cats with diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney failure, feline leukemia, feline AIDS as well as feral cats. I have experience with liver patients, heart patients, feline infectious peritonitis, cancer, recovery from amputation and trauma, congenital deformities and most every disease in between. I have assisted cats giving birth and hand-nursed kittens who were neglected by their mother from 2 days old through weaning.

Education/Credentials
15 years' hands-on experience

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