about my cat dora

Question
my cat is going to have kittens i think very soon but dont knoe when. she has for the last few days had been leaking stuff from where she will give birth . does that mean shes ready?c its her first litter please get back

Answer
Cheryl,

Yes, she is about to give birth within a week or less.  You need to provide her with a birthing box (I like the "jumbo" cardboard storage chests, 10" X 26" X 16").  Put some old sheeting or toweling in the box.

I would place the box in a warm area free of drafts away from other pets and small children. I would also cover it halfway with a towel so it seems like a den to her.

Let your vet know kittening is imminent so, if there are problems, you can both be ready.  If the female is very restless, going in and out of the box, rearranging her bedding, wanting you with her all the time, she is probably going to give birth within 48 hours.

Make sure you have plenty of paper towels on hand.  Birthing is a very messy business.  Hopefully, the mama will figure out how to clean and stimulate the the kittens and chew off the umbilical cord.

Let her eat one placenta.  This will help her with milk production.  Milk can come in up to a week before birth or right at kitten birth.  You will need to weigh the kittens when they are born and weigh them every day to make sure all are gaining weight.

When she is done, I would take her to the vet for an oxytocin shot (which is to help clean out and condition the uterus and also aids milk production).  In addition, it is not a bad idea to have the vet giver her a long acting penicilin G. shot.

Good luck and best regards... Norm.