Conference misery::feline_v1

    I usually take my queens to the vet for an x-ray and checkup after
    the 55 day of gestation.  The x-ray is not necessary, but gives
    me some piece of mind.  It also helps to know about how many kittens
    to expect so that you will know when she is finished.  He can check
    her general health too.
    
    It would be wise to get yourself some books on birthing kittens
    so that you will know what to do should some problem arise.  I have
    helped lots of queens, and believe me, they don't always know what
    to do or when to do it.  
    
    Do you know how far along she is?  If she is more than 7 weeks into
    her pregnancy, start getting a spot ready for her to have her kittens.
    If she is an outdoor cat, don't let her out or she will find her
    own spot outside and you won't know where she is or if she needs
    your help.
    
    Get together some supplies.  You will need some type of sterilizer
    (alcohol or Novalsan or Roccal-D), paper towels, newspapers, hemostats
    if you have them, scissors, dental floss, a baby aspirator, a
    thermometer, vaseline, a notebook and pen (so that you can take
    notes in case you need to call the vet.  Write down when contractions
    started, when each kitten was born, birth weight, etc.), a flashlight,
    and lots and lots of clean towels.
    
    I will be happy to help you out if you have any questions.
    
    Jo

     Pookie also says to have the nursery ready........ Laura Ashley
    motif is always nice..  baby kitties... yippee
    Regards
    Kate

    Pookie would have approved of the nursery I built for Meg.  I made a
    little crib that sat on the floor and had a nice crib mattress I got at
    Child World.  I had nice warm flannel sheets (don't use towels; their
    little claws can get stuck in them) and a canopy over the crib...very
    nice...
    
    But, as for prenatal care, I'd take her to the vet to confirm the
    pregnancy and discuss her care.  She needs to be on preggo-food, or
    kitten food at least, especially since she's still a baby herself.  I
    didn't know nuthin' bout birthin' no babies either, and I'll tell you,
    everything Jo mentioned is true!  You should have seen me (at 2:00
    a.m.) cutting umbilical cords, trying to convice Meg to lick something
    she didn't want to lick!
    
    Don't believe the books that say 'cats know just what to do!', cause my
    Meg (who was about as old as yours when the babes were born) knew less
    than I did!
    
    Mary

    Thanks guys!  It seems like Brown Sugar is getting fatter by the
    hour!  It's only been 30 days so far and she really shows.  I can
    believe that, like Meg, she won't know what she's doing when she
    has the little kittens, because I don't think she even understands
    that she is pregnant yet.  It ought to shock the hell out of her
    when the things come out!  I'll have to make an appointment with
    the vet next week.  Fortunately, I don't have to worry about her
    going out, because lately, she has had no interest of leaving the
    apartment.  She doesn't even come to the door when I get home anymore.
    Most of her time is spent sleeping and eating.  Well, I let you
    know how it turns out.
    
    Ginger

    If she is only 30 days along, don't bother with an x-ray.  Since
    the kittens bones do not calcify until at least 55 days, they won't
    show up on the x-ray.  Get her on kitten food, get her used to being
    inside (if she is an outdoor cat) and give her lots of love and
    attention.  Some cats (just like some people) hate being pregnant
    and grumble about it every minute of the day.  She will need lots
    of reassurance.
    
    Jo

    In case anyone is interested, I went to see the vet today and asked
    him about the care needed for my pregnant cat.  After lecturing
    me about bringing more kittens into the world, he prescribed some
    special prescription diet cat food especially for pregnant or mal
    nutritioned cats and told me to let her take care of having the
    kittens and all I need to do is take her and her family in 6 weeks
    after the litters borne for a check up.  The only other things he
    suggested was to keep her inside and to maybe set up a place that
    I prefer her to have the kittens.  Only 20-25 more days!!!!
    
    

    Better to be prepared than to just leave your cat to her own devices.
    Your vet certainly sounds optomistic that there won't be any problems,
    but even the most experienced queens can have problems.  It you
    do have problems, there won't be enough time to call him and have
    him help you.  Do some reading.  Be prepared.
    
    Jo

    I hope I didn't imply that I wouldn't be taking the advice that
    you have given me.  I'ld rather be safe then sorry any day!!
    
    Ginger

    Boy, I was glad I was prepared!!  Now, Meg and I didn't attend
    childbirth classes together, but as a former OB/Pedi nurse, I figured
    this cat stuff would be a breeze.  Human Moms hardly ever get up and
    drag their newborns around the room screaming 'Get that off of me!',
    but Meg did.  I think I was more scared than she was.  I had to cut the
    cord of the first one (Sweetie) as Meg was convinced I was kidding when 
    I told her that was her job.  She handed me the hemostat and said 'You do
    it!'.  She did great for the second one (Katie), as she had a sudden
    burst of maternal instinct.  That lasted 10 minutes and she let me do
    the honors for the third and fourth.
    
    I've got some nice things to make a baby-bed, if your interested.  Now
    that mine are all grown up, there's no need for the crib, mattress, and
    baby blankets...
    
    Mary

    .. OH Mary.. I can just see it now!!!!, I do have one question however,
    how come  you and she did not attend classes together..???...
    Regards
    Kate

    Meg goes to Bingo on the nights that classes were offered.  I tried to
    tell her that Pookie would never approve of Bingo (I'm sure she only
    plays baccarat, and then, only on the Riviera), but she wouldn't
    listen.  After all, she didn't want all that training of mine to go to
    waste!!
    
    Mar
    

    .. HMM..Happy plays Bingo!!!!, if I had only known.. we could have
    sent them off together.... that is true about Pookie though, she
    was trying to convince/teach Happy to play Baccarat, only it turned
    out be a "fur raising nite, on the Riviera.. it would
    appear that Happy ordered ritz crackers, limberger cheese, a pizza,
    and a BEER..needless to say Pookie was not amused!!!.. she was
    in her own words.. mortifurred...!!!! :*))))).... and yes, Happy
    did try to get Pookie to the Bingo hall, but... no deal..Pookie
    said .. no way Chubbos.... I am not going anywhere near that
    place, on your motorcycle, and secondly,, I do have a thing
    to wear.. and I am not wearing your electric blue leather skirt..
    SNIFF..
    Regards
    Kate

    Mary just made me remember the first litter I ever delivered.  I
    just want you to know that it is quite common for the female cat
    to get up and walk around with a kitten hanging out of her.  This
    is normal and expected, the weight of the dragging baby helps bring
    the placenta down so that it can be delivered.  The kitten will
    be screaming but don't worry, it will not be hurt. ( I panicked
    at this point during my first delivery!)  
    
    Don't attempt to pullon the umbilical cord or kitten while she is 
    dragging it around, you could tear the cord and cause problems for 
    the new kitten and mom.  If you are worried about the kitten, you can 
    hold it in the palm of your hand, and follow her in her pacing.  Don't 
    cut the umbilical cord until the placenta has been delivered unless the
    kitten is not breathing and you need to work on it!
             
    Just some things that Mary reminded me of.
    
    Jo

    Over the weekend I picked up the book "The complete Book of The
    Cat".  They have some good pictures and some very detailed instuctions
    for both natural deliveries and human intervention deliveries.
    
    If you live in Central Mass, The Book Corner in Gardner has the
    book on sale for $12.00ish.  It's a great book, even beyond this
    preggers stuff.
    
    	-Nancy

    Gee, Jo, my vet told me not to let Meg drag the kitten around cause it
    could herniate the umblical cord!  Poor Meg and the babies!!  I'm
    surprised they survived my bumbling care (you should have seen me with
    my surgical gloves delivering the placenta for #4....).
    
    I was thinking about how wonderful it was to have newborns to
    snuggle...but after all those other memories, I think I'll leave it to
    you pros!
    
    Mary
    

    It really takes alot to herniate an umbilicial cord.  I have assisted
    in many, many births and haven't had a herniated cord yet! (knock
    wood)  Joui must have thought me nuts the first time when I panicked
    and kept trying to make her lay down.  If the mom gets frantic in
    her attempts to drag baby around, I will usually put the baby in
    the palm of my hand and try to follow her.  I still let most of
    the weight of the baby pull on the cord tho, to help the placenta
    down.
    
    Surgical gloves....I love it!  I have this to look forward to again
    soon.  I will be assisting a new breeder whose first litter is due
    on Feb. 22nd. and I have bred Lyscentia and if pregnant, she will
    bless us with a litter on April Fools Day (how appropriate for her).
    
    Jo