Hi, i'm quite new to the forum and a complete novice with cat pregnancies and birth!

My beautiful little tabby, Kestra, was due to give birth yesterday but still we are waiting!

We aren't sure of when conception occured but the vet (x3)checked her out 3 weeks ago and gave me some information on what to look out for.

Her tummy is very rounded, there appears to less fur around her nipples, she has become very aggressive towards our other 2 neutered males and is very restless. Im not sure how to tell if her milk has come through - is it really obvious when it has? Sorry to seem so stupid but like i said im a complete novice!!

The vets want to see her tomorrow morning but i got the impression they see this as all being normal and just want to get more money out of me!! Not only tha, but Kestra gets so stressed out travelling to them that i really want to avoid taking her if i can!!

Would anyone advise i take her or sit it out a bit longer?
My main worry/concern is that we are due to go on holiday in a couple of weeks and i dont have anyone who can stay at the house with her and kitts!!

Any advice would be very much appreciated....and sorry for this being so long!

Tilly.xx

i would wait abit longer cats can be late so unless she is in distress i would not take her to the vets, maybe it might be a good idea to get a cardboard box with some clean blankets and have her in your bedroom, sometimes its best to keep a cat in the one room they get less stressed looking for a "place" to give birth as they will hold out for that "safe place" as i said maybe your bedroom would be ideal,

just make sure when she does give birth that if you are able to be with her that you make sure

1- she brakes the sac's - if she does not you will need to do it and you will need to make sure the airways are clear
2- the after birth comes out after each kitten - she may eat it and thats fine let her
3- if she push's too much and for a long period of time and a kitten does not come out then consult your vet
4- make sure the room is warm, and quiet

above is just a few things you need to do or keep an eye on and i am sure plenty of people on here will add to it
good luck and let us know how she gets on and pictures too would be great !!

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http://www.callidorabengals.moonfruit.com

Thanks.

We have had a box with clean blankets etc in for the past 3 weeks and kept her in our large spare room. We moved her into our study yesterday only because after spending a few nights in with her, thought the room might be too cold for her (i was waking up cold myself!). Our study is always nice and warm and alot darker too. Have been wondering about putting her in with us but dont know if i should move her again!

Also whilst i think of it, does anyone know if the CPL might look after her for us whilst we are on holiday? We can't afford cattery fees and i dont like the idea of them anyway!

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Tilly.xx

Oh dear, If i was anywhere near you I would have them whilst you are on holiday. But Lincolnshire/Lancashire bit far???? You really need someone local to take care of them, can you not get family or friends involved? C.x.

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i am not to sure if they would do you not know of anyone that could come and stay at your home ? can you not delay your holiday ?

if she trusts you i would say have her in your room as she may want you with her during the labour , but its up to you. do you have the dates that she was mated ?

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http://www.callidorabengals.moonfruit.com

I wouldn't want to leave a Mum with two week old kittens. I did have to leave a Mum with very young kittens once and I persuaded my parents to look in on them twice a day. That may be your best bet, someone to just look in twice a day. Is there a neighbour who would do that if they were paid? Or what about one of these businesses that advertise this as a service?

Failing that, your best bet may well be a boarding cattery run by a cat breeder - that way they will get expert care.

Liz

We have no family that live locally - the nearest are 2 hours away!

We have a friends daughter who has always come in to feed them and she comes in twice a day - do you think that would be adequate enough?

I dont like the idea of a cattery as a friend of mine put her 2 young cats in one and both came back really ill, 1 of which later died! Plus the ones locally are so expensive.

Unfortunately we cant postpone our holiday (has looked into that already) and its in Spain so noway we can take her/them with us!

Kestra getting pregnant was an accident so we dont know when exactly that she mated!

I have also cancelled the vets this morning but will take her in straight away if it looks like she is unwell/indistress etc. If no kittens over the weekend i'll take her in on monday regardless.

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Tilly.xx

If the friend's daughter is reliable enough, I would go down that route. Get her used to what needs doing and checking up on

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She is very realiable and Kestra loves her, so i know she and kitts will be in safe hands.

Looking forward to my holiday but dont think i'll be very relaxed!

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Tilly.xx

Common sense, but make sure you have each others mobile nos for texts and so on, Its cheap enough to text abroad these days

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