Expert: Karen Craft - 7/17/2007

Question
Good morning!
I was hoping I could find some answers here, I am starting to get a little worried about my cat. I rescued her from where I work, she had been hanging out there for quite some time. This was at the end of May. A couple of weeks later she began to buldge out. So I began searching for good forever homes, luckily I have many friends who either own their homes or live on farms and are animal lovers. About 3 weeks ago there was a light yellow glob that was hanging out of her vaginal area, she didn't seem to stressed out about it, and from what I researched, it sounded as if it could be the mucous plug. Her milk came in fully around this time as well. The past 2 weeks however she has had a slightly bloody discharge, so I have been on steady kitten watch since then. After this started and no kittens were produced within a week I called our vet. He said he wouldn't intervene unless she was in hard active labor and not producing kittens. From what I can tell, she has a few minor contractions that have been lasting these past few weeks. Her abdomen will stiffen and her eyes will go wide and dilate, but thats about it. I have 3 nesting areas for her to choose from, but she is content to lay in my lap most of the time. She is purring, eating, and sleeping alot and doesn't seem in stress or anything. I was going to try to take her temp but she won't let me near that area and I didn't want to stress her out. She loves for me to rub her belly and I could feel kittens flipping around inside of her, they were very active...up until about 3 days ago. I haven't felt much movement since then. That is why I am so worried right now. Sometimes it feels as if they have shifted inside her, but I don't actually FEEL it as I had previously. She will be in my lap and if she gets up to go eat and returns it will seem as if the kittens are in a different position according to the lumps inside her. We live in a very small town with very few vets. Should I insist that my vet check her out ( even though he isn't wanting to intervene ) or try to find another one to take her to? Or is this perfectly normal for a cat to do in pregnancy? I am just really concerned about the kittens not moving anymore ( or at least me not being able to feel them ).
Thank you for your input, it is appreciated!

Answer
Hi Amy,

If my calculations are correct she should be ready to deliver. If you are worried and your vet told you that then I would get another vet. Take her in to be checked out. There is nothing wrong with insisting to have the vet check her out. This is your pet you are worried about and no vet should blow you off like that. Owners are more in tune with their friends than the vet is. So yes take her to another vet to see if all is well. Good luck and let me know what happens.

Ciao, Karen