After Labor

Question
QUESTION: I have 2 pure bred Maine kittens.  The male just turned one where the female is 6 almost 7 months.  Neither is fixed.  I have never noticed her in heat before...have asked around even on this site regarding signs of heat, but she is SO affectionate I never noticed her in heat.  I have never noticed them humping each other, but all of the sudden she has quite the belly, growing rapidly and it is firm.  Could she be pregnant?  I am thinking she is for sure because of her belly, but am very confused because like I said, I don't think she went into heat before.  Is there away that I can tell about how far along she is or something so I know what to look for??  Please help with any info that could help!!!  Thanks, Mandy

ANSWER: Mandy,

I would watch your mama to be very carefully.  6-7 months of age is too young for a female to be pregnant.  Normal gestation for cats is 65-67 days after mating, with 63 days being a normal minimum and 69 days being a normal maximum.

After that, the following may help as she gets closer to term.  Remember the following are guidelines only, as each queen does the kitten birth a little differently:

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 in side.  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.  

Make sure your vet knows what is going on, so, in case she has trouble, you have arrangements about what you must do.

Please let me know if you have any more questions.

Best regards... Norm.







---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Norm,

So she was pregnant, had her kittens this morning.  The male cat will not leave her alone (the mother).  How soon after she gives birth can she get pregnant again?  Any advise?
Thanks

Answer
Mandy,

Often females who have given birth can go into a "lactation" heat.  If this happens, the male can get her pregnant, again.

I would keep them separated until the kittens are weaned (5-6 weeks of age).  Unless you want to continue having kittens, it would be a good idea for the male to be neutered and the female to be spayed (after her kittens are weaned).

BTW, we only let our females breed once a year.  After pregnancy and nursing, their bodies do need time to recover.

Best regards... Norm.