is this normal

Question
My cat is an inside cat but got out one night and is obviously pregnant. She has been having a creamy discharge for over 24 hours and was spotting blood a week ago. Im worried that something is wrong since we have never experienced this and she is 6yr old.

Answer
Tiffany,

I'm not really knowledgeable on pregnant cats, so you may want to ask this to someone else.  But basing what you've told me and using my knowledge of human medicine, I'd have to say that spotting blood can actually be signs of impending labor.  I think that a pregnant could may spot 3-4 days before birth.  So, as long as it's not a huge amt and isn't continuous, then I would say this is to be expected.  

The creamy discharge I believe is normal as well, and another sign of impending labor.  If it doesn't have any blood in it, isn't green or colored in any way, and doesn't smell foul, then it is normal.  

One thing I do want to stress is that it's important to have a vet ready to help you if the need arises.  I'm not sure if her age can play into problems, like with humans, but you want to ensure that she's not laboring for hrs and hrs.  While it can take some time to deliver all kittens (according to my resources, it can be as little as 10" in between kittens, or as much as an hr), it shouldn't take more than 12 hrs unless she has 12 kittens and they're coming about an hr apart.  If you know how many kittens she's having, then you can have an idea beforehand of how long labor will take.  For instance, if she's having 4 babies, then at the most, labor should last no more than 4-5 hrs.  If it's more than that, you need to be getting a vet involved, as she could be failing to progress, or one may be breech, or there could just be overall distress, in which case, all of these situations are emergencies.  So be sure your vet is available when that day comes and if not, make sure he/she can recommend another vet for you to call if the need arises, as any delay in a birthing emergency can lead to a poor outcome.  

I think the things you mentioned are normal and to be expected, and are simply signs of impending birth.  In fact, by the time you get this, your cat may have already had her kittens!  

Best of luck--and get your cats spayed when they're done giving birth!

Savannah