Cat Pregnancy, after pregnancy care

Question
Hello, I have a cat, Dusk, and she is about 5 weeks along in her pregnancy. I have researched a lot about what to expect and have noticed that in every article there are warnings saying to have a veterinarian on call just in case anything should go wrong. We do not currently have a family vet, although we have 3 cats I'm not old enough to make appointments or go find a local vet of my own, and I'm quite convinced my parents don't really care and aren't willing to spend the dime. So my question is: Is there some sort of emergency pet-line service with on-call veterinarians that will be accessible in case anything should go wrong? I would just like to be as prepared as possible, I do love my cats so very much. Thank you for your help.

..also if there is anything in particular i should know about the after-pregnancy diet for Dusk I' love the extra info. Thanks

Answer
Sapphyra,

Most locales have emergency veterinary clinics, so you need to find one near you.  I would also take the time to find a veterinary clinic near you for general cat ills.  Most emergency clinics will keep the cat only long enough for your normal veterinary clinic to begin office hours, after which you would be expected to transport the cat to your normal vet.  Can you get transportation for you and your cat and any kittens, if you need it?

After she has kittens, she may not eat much for a few days.  After which she will be ravenous.  They like to be close to their kittens, so we feed them right next to the birthing box.  Also, expect her to continue hemorrhaging for the first few days. Giver her all she wants to eat.  Adding a little powdered bone meal to her food for added calcium is a good idea!

Feline gestation is 65-67 days, with 63 days being a normal minimum and 69 days being a normal maximum. Here are some guidelines about what to expect:

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.  

Please let me know if you have any more questions.

Best regards... Norm.