I don't know anything about breeding cats.... but if it was my dog on day 72 I would have them to the vet. Good luck and i hope that everything is ok for your girl and her babies

Well, she was a stray and showed up just pregnant, so all due dates are estimated, so I was holding out based on sound advice here--she's healthy, happy, no problems, so why stress her out when nature should just take its course. And part of me still wants to let things go since I'm not sure when she caught. But at this point, if she needs a c-section or the like, I'm just afraid delaying further might endanger her.

She goes to the vet today at 2:15 (my time, so 9:15GMT). Please think happy thoughts that she doesn't need anything horrible and, worst case, this was a phantom pregnancy.

I like my vet, but the fellow who answered the phone has me a little distressed. He tried to tell me the average gestation for cats is 60 days and at the outside, 63, so she's probably not pregnant at all, so don't bother to bring her in. When I recounted all of her behaviors and symptoms, then he started to worry the kittens are dead . So, off she goes. I pray it's all ok.

Wonder where he did his training (perhaps he was the cleaner).
It's usually about 65 days from mating- but could be a few days either side.
Fingers crossed that all is well

He's their new tech, so I don't think they get a lot of training at all. However the vet I did end up seeing said 60 days is the norm as well. More on her in the next post.

Yes, I'd take the word of breeders any day, since you're all more likely to see a lot of births, more than the average vet ever would. I get the impression they only get involved when something goes wrong.

Well, the good news is there's nothing wrong. The bad news is, she's not currently pregnant. The vet couldn't tell me if she reabsorbed or it was phantom or not.

She was not my regular vet. Apparently he had to hire someone else since he took over the practice of another guy who retired. This new vet is a harpy! She basically tried to make me feel stupid and irresponsible. She told me since it had been more than 60 days, chances were she should have had them already.

She tried to strong arm me into getting Jezebel spayed immediately, since there's too many unwanted cats out there. I realize that, but these were wanted! And we're responsible. We don't let our cats roam, and I wouldn't have taken the cat in just for a check if I was irresponsible. Then she tried to sell me some extra products like flea control. Didn't check the cat for fleas at all--just squeezed her really hard, declared her kitten-free, and was rude.

So, thank you all for your support and advice and the like. I'm feeling rather stupid now for thinking she was pregnant and I know I'm a novice, but she fit the whole description of symptoms. At least I've learned an awful lot, so I'll be better prepared for next time. We'd like to breed her once then fix her. We'll be responsible about it and those kittens will be loved. Meanwhile, I have to deal with my disappointment, but I'm glad she's healthy and there aren't complications.

And just to cap the whole thing off.....she's on heat again as of late last night. And she loves getting her belly rubbed again. Is there any possible explanation for all of her symptoms and then the disappearance of them? I know the 2 are she reabsorbed them (about which I know nearly nothing) or she had a phantom pregnancy. Is either really plausible, though? I'm curious and I'd like to be very well informed on this going forward.

Plus there's a little stray of about 7 months hanging about outside. I have no doubt she'll turn up preggers soon if someone doesn't take her in. Sweet little calico with a bad case of ear mites but otherwise looks quite clean and sturdy, unlike poor Jezebel who was scrawny and dirty when we took her in.

Both of these explanations are extremely plausible.

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Interesting. The vet acted like I was crazy to even suggest such things. I'm getting the feeling that breeders know volumes more about actual pregnancy and birth than vets, unless there's some horrible complication--then the vets catch up a little bit.

Knowledge etc aside, if the lady was rude to you and there is another vet in your area, I would recommend paying a visit to the new practice. I had a terrible time with my first vets and after they messed me around one too many times I switched and cannot believe how fantastic my new vets are.

Although everyone's first choice re: vets is always "can they help my pet", and rightly so - at the end of the day, a veterinary surgery is also a business and businesses revolve around good customer service. If they are rude and unhelpful (or like the guy on the phone, give you mostly wrong information), then they don't deserve your custom and your money.

Back on topic, I'm sorry that you were all geared up for kittens only to find that it was a phantom pregnancy or reabsorption, I'm sure you are disappointed! If you are planning on having a litter in the future then at least you will know the dates and know what to expect this time! But if you're looking for an tom cat to breed her with, make sure you check that the tom is free of any diseases or parasites (eg feline herpes virus or ear mites etc) that he might give to your cat. With pedigrees, stud owners have their cats regularly checked but with moggy boys that isn't usually the case.