Update (or lack of one!)

Question
QUESTION: Hi Teresa,

Just wanted to say as of tonight 9 p.m. Pacific time, I still haven't had to pull out the bank robbing equipment!  Nothing has happened yet with my little girl.  Her rear end is looking remarkably cleaner, though, today than I've seen it in weeks.  The count down has begun though, for her.  Her belly is firmer tonight.  But she still thinks she's Speedy Gonzalez when she gets a chance to beat me out the door to go outside.  Yes, I'm watching her obsessively though.  She doesn't stray far before she's right back again.  I just wanted to say I touted to my family last night and tonight about the wonderful advice I had found with you.  Everyone involved feels (my mom and husband), feel more reassured now that we can wait a bit longer before hooking up the old pickup truck to the ATM machine and driving away with it!  

Thank you again for being so nice.

P.S.

I've always loved Abyssinians but never been fortunate enough to see a real one or even pet one.  I've always said if I had a favortie breed of cat, that would be mine.

Give yours a little kiss for me.
ANSWER: Hi Christina, Well you certainly have the sense of humor required to own an Abyssinian. I actually have been doting on one of them tonight. I have nicknamed him BUNNY because he is a soft fawn colour.. I know I have to sell him, and not keep him, but he certainly is a little snuggle bunny and I really enjoy him. He is almost 3 months and I will be sorry when he leaves. Now, re your issue, not mine, I am glad that her discharge looks better although I am surprised? I would expect her to be breaking her water fairly soon, but if she is still bolting for the door it doesn't sound like she is ready to settle down and get to business ! You may notice her going back and forth to the litter box and that usually means the kittens are putting pressure on her rectum and she will be in labor soon. You may also notice her sides become soft as they move down the birth canal. Some cats get cold ears and paws before they go into labor. ok... rest now... and keep me posted! Thanks for your confidence in my advice and of course I hope it works out ok.. or I am going to have to quit this job ! :)
Teresa

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

QUESTION: Teresa

As of 6:45 this a.m.  I have one kitten.  I'm busy watching her - I think she's maybe gotten chewing through the umbilical cord now but it's hard to tell.  Her brother decided maybe she was in heat and was trying to mate with her when I found them both in my hall closet.  Not the designated place of choice I had picked out for her, LOL.  Then when I got him out of there, she growled and had her first kitten.  My husband and 15 year old are no help for me, they won't even look!  

I need to back and watch her, I know you said to look for sacks.  As of yet I didn't see one.  Mamma is busing licking, licking, licking everything and baby has cried and moved and looks obviously sleepy.

I'll write you back!
ANSWER: Hi Christina, Good morning. Well get your husband and 15 year old to be in charge of the brother!! they can pack him off to get neutered !! Now as far as you and mom cat. Sounds like things are going just fine. You won't be looking for a sac, you are going to be watching for afterbirth. It looks like a big red hunk of liver or brain. It is about half the size of the kitten. She will probably eat all of them (yes, keep the men out of the room!) but just try to count them as they come out and she eats them.
I am off to a dentist appt now but write me back in a few hours and let me know how things are going!


***** so how are things in the maternity ward ??*********
Teresa

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QUESTION: Teresa,

She had 7 kittens in all.  However, one was born with a hernia outside of his/her stomach and I wished I could have reached you or anyone for that matter after this happened.  I talked with my mom and she said it wouldn't live, and then I called a vet's office, and they said they would euthanize it.  I had my husband come home from work and we drove the little baby to the vet's.  The vet came out and didn't even want to touch the kitten, had me put it on the counter top and unwrap it from the towel and said it was a hernia, that it wouldn't recede, and that he could put the kitten to sleep.  He walked away, the receptionisht had us sign the release to euthanize, and then told us it would 50 dollars to do this.  We didn't have the 50 dollars.  So I ended up bringing the poor kitten back home and putting it back with the others, trying to think what we could do.  It was only about an or hour or more later I looked in on them and saw the mother cat had bitten through the babie's hernia and he had bled to death.  He was still alive and gasping for air but I held him close to me until he passed away.  We buried him when my husband came home.

Very, very sad.  And we absolutely hate this vet who couldn't wait two days (my payday) for the 40 dollars in order to have this kitten put to sleep peacefully.  Instead, the poor thing died painfully and tragically.   

I don't think it will be an ATM machine I'm hooking the old pickup truck up to.  I think it will be a certain vet's Mercedes I saw parked in the number one spot there at the clinic yesterday.  I'm not a happy camper.

Answer
Hi Christina, Well that is a sad story. It was most likely that kitten that was giving your mom cat the problems when she was pregnant. You didn't mention mom? so I am assuming she is fine and that the vet won't be buying himself a new mercedes from her ceasarian .. hahahah
Now, you still need to keep an eye on mom. Don't relax just yet. Keep an eye on her eating, drinking, and discharge. You need to watch her closely for one more week before we are "out of the woods"! You have a large litter of kittens there but she should be taking good care of them and cleaning and feeding them etc. If anything doesn't look quite right to you let me know.. ok??
In the meantime get some sleep, get that male cat neutered and get a new vet ! :)
Teresa
P.S. Keep mom away from other cats. She can get bred again any time now...!!