Expert: Jessica - 6/15/2010

Question
hello i have a cat that is pregnant and i beleave she is do now or in this week from the best i can remember she used the bathroom today and it was diharea and bloody mucus like could she be in labor or close but her vaginal area is not swollen

Answer
Hi Chasiti.  Diarrhea with blood and mucus in it is not usually a sign of labor but can indicate an illness.  Watch over her carefully to be sure the diarrhea doesn't continue for longer than 24-48 hours.  If it does, she should see a vet.  It will be dangerous for her to have diarrhea after the kittens arrive, because she could suffer dehydration quickly between nursing and passing loose stools.

Sometimes cats may pass bloody mucus during labor in their litter box, because they mistake contractions with the need to move their bowels.  It could be possible that your cat passed blood and mucus separately, and while straining, she also passed some stool, especially if it was loose.  In this case, the passing of bloody mucus (separately from the diarrhea) would certainly indicate the delivery of the kittens should take place any time.  If the kittens haven't arrived by morning, I would call the vet.

Good luck!

Jessica