Q. How long is a full term pregnancy? My cat is very pregnant , about 3 months along and looks like she is about to blow. Give me the signs to watch for and all the details please.
Answer
Pregnancy in Cats
How long does pregnancy last?
Pregnancy (or the gestation period) lasts for 58 to 63 days in queens. Individual cats may vary but you should inform your veterinarian if your queenâs pregnancy exceeds 64 days.
What should I feed her during pregnancy?
During pregnancy your queen should be on a well balanced diet. We recommend a good quality, commercially prepared dry food. It is not necessary, and can be dangerous, to supplement her diet with extra calcium or vitamins, provided that her diet is complete.
As the pregnancy advances the growing kittens will occupy more and more space in the abdomen. Her food consumption may double, however, she will not be able to eat as much in one meal. Therefore, it is best to offer her smaller, more frequent meals.
How will I know sheâs pregnant?
Your veterinarian can often detect pregnancy by abdominal palpation between weeks 4 and 5, however, diagnosis may be difficult if your cat is nervous, tense or overweight. Pregnancy can also be detected by an x-ray.
You may also notice increased body weight and abdominal enlargement, reddening and enlargement of the mammary glands and the production of milk.
What are the signs of labour?
About 24 hours prior to going into labour your cat may become restless, uninterested in food and begin making a ânestâ. Her vulva may be swollen and have a clear mucous discharge.
Abdominal contractions will then commence, the queen will strain and the first kitten should be born within 1 to 2 hours. The placental membrane often ruptures (âbreaking of the watersâ) prior to the kitten being born but is not always the case and some kittens are born completely covered in their membranes.
Will my cat remove these membranes?
The queen will usually remove these membranes and sever the umbilical cord. If she becomes tired, or is inexperienced and fails to do so, you can gently tear the membrane from the kittenâs nose and mouth. Immediately following the removal of the membrane the kitten should start breathing, move around and find a nipple and begin suckling.
How long will it be between kittens?
Cats usually rest between kittens and the time can range from fifteen minutes to an hour. After giving birth your cat will settle down, her breathing will become calm and she should be kept quiet to feed and clean her kittens.
Seeking Veterinary Advice
You should seek veterinary advice at any stage of your catâs pregnancy, labour or after giving birth if you are at all concerned about her or her kittens well-being.
Approximately 40% of kittens are born tail first (breech birth). This is perfectly normal.
Contact your veterinarian for advice should any of the following occur:
Your catâs gestation period lasts more than 64 days without the onset of labour.
One and a half hours have elapsed since the onset of abdominal contractions and a kitten has not been born yet.
An hour has elapsed after the birth of a kitten, your cat is still having strong contractions and there is no sign of another kitten.
A kitten becomes stuck halfway and your cat is unable to give birth to it. You can apply gentle pressure to the kitten, if it does not move easily and immediately seek veterinary advice.
A green or dark discharge is seen coming from the catâs vulva prior to giving birth, or if a discharge is present 12 hours after giving birth.
If a kitten has not suckled within 3 hours.
Vaccination and worming during pregnancy
Your cat should be dewormed with an all wormer, at 4 and 6 weeks of pregnancy. This is important to ensure the cat does not infect her newborn kittens.
Your cat should be vaccinated prior to mating to ensure maximum immunity is passed on to her kittens.
Our staff at Vetwest Animal Hospitals will be happy to assist you with any queries you have regarding your catâs pregnancy.
Pregnancy in Cats
How long does pregnancy last?
Pregnancy (or the gestation period) lasts for 58 to 63 days in queens. Individual cats may vary but you should inform your veterinarian if your queenâs pregnancy exceeds 64 days.
What should I feed her during pregnancy?
During pregnancy your queen should be on a well balanced diet. We recommend a good quality, commercially prepared dry food. It is not necessary, and can be dangerous, to supplement her diet with extra calcium or vitamins, provided that her diet is complete.
As the pregnancy advances the growing kittens will occupy more and more space in the abdomen. Her food consumption may double, however, she will not be able to eat as much in one meal. Therefore, it is best to offer her smaller, more frequent meals.
How will I know sheâs pregnant?
Your veterinarian can often detect pregnancy by abdominal palpation between weeks 4 and 5, however, diagnosis may be difficult if your cat is nervous, tense or overweight. Pregnancy can also be detected by an x-ray.
You may also notice increased body weight and abdominal enlargement, reddening and enlargement of the mammary glands and the production of milk.
What are the signs of labour?
About 24 hours prior to going into labour your cat may become restless, uninterested in food and begin making a ânestâ. Her vulva may be swollen and have a clear mucous discharge.
Abdominal contractions will then commence, the queen will strain and the first kitten should be born within 1 to 2 hours. The placental membrane often ruptures (âbreaking of the watersâ) prior to the kitten being born but is not always the case and some kittens are born completely covered in their membranes.
Will my cat remove these membranes?
The queen will usually remove these membranes and sever the umbilical cord. If she becomes tired, or is inexperienced and fails to do so, you can gently tear the membrane from the kittenâs nose and mouth. Immediately following the removal of the membrane the kitten should start breathing, move around and find a nipple and begin suckling.
How long will it be between kittens?
Cats usually rest between kittens and the time can range from fifteen minutes to an hour. After giving birth your cat will settle down, her breathing will become calm and she should be kept quiet to feed and clean her kittens.
Seeking Veterinary Advice
You should seek veterinary advice at any stage of your catâs pregnancy, labour or after giving birth if you are at all concerned about her or her kittens well-being.
Approximately 40% of kittens are born tail first (breech birth). This is perfectly normal.
Contact your veterinarian for advice should any of the following occur:
Your catâs gestation period lasts more than 64 days without the onset of labour.
One and a half hours have elapsed since the onset of abdominal contractions and a kitten has not been born yet.
An hour has elapsed after the birth of a kitten, your cat is still having strong contractions and there is no sign of another kitten.
A kitten becomes stuck halfway and your cat is unable to give birth to it. You can apply gentle pressure to the kitten, if it does not move easily and immediately seek veterinary advice.
A green or dark discharge is seen coming from the catâs vulva prior to giving birth, or if a discharge is present 12 hours after giving birth.
If a kitten has not suckled within 3 hours.
Vaccination and worming during pregnancy
Your cat should be dewormed with an all wormer, at 4 and 6 weeks of pregnancy. This is important to ensure the cat does not infect her newborn kittens.
Your cat should be vaccinated prior to mating to ensure maximum immunity is passed on to her kittens.
Our staff at Vetwest Animal Hospitals will be happy to assist you with any queries you have regarding your catâs pregnancy.
pregnancy!?
L J
I just wanted to know what are some symptoms of pregnancy? is there stomach aches or something like that? becasue I'm not sure wheter I'm pregnant or not i just get head aches and my stomacj hurts when i just sit in one place too long. so what are some signs?
I just got off of my period like a week ago.. so wat do I do do I just wait it out?
Answer
Implantation Bleeding:
Implantation bleeding can be one of the earliest pregnancy symptoms. About 6-12 days after conception, the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall. Some women will experience spotting as well as some cramping.
Other Explanations: Actual menstruation, altered menstruation, changes in birth control pill, infection, or abrasion from intercourse.
Delay/Difference in Menstruation:
A delayed or missed menstruation is the most common pregnancy symptom leading a woman to test for pregnancy. When you become pregnant, your next period should be missed. Many women can bleed while they are pregnant, but typically the bleeding will be shorter or lighter than a normal period. This symptom is commonly explained by other reasons. If you have been sexually active and have missed a period, it is recommended that you take a test: Find a Free Testing Center or Order my pregnancy test
Other Explanations: Excessive weight gain/loss, fatigue, hormonal problems, tension, stress, ceasing to take the birth control pill, or breast-feeding.
Swollen/Tender Breasts:
Swollen or tender breasts is a pregnancy symptom which may begin as early as 1-2 weeks after conception. Women may notice changes in their breasts; they may be tender to the touch, sore, or swollen.
Other Explanations: Hormonal imbalance, birth control pills, impending menstruation (PMS) can also cause your breasts to be swollen or tender.
Fatigue/Tiredness:
Feeling fatigued or more tired is a pregnancy symptom which can also start as early as the first week after conception.
Other Explanations: Stress, exhaustion, depression, common cold or flu, or other illnesses can also leave you feeling tired or fatigued.
Nausea/Morning Sickness:
This well-known pregnancy symptom will often show up between 2-8 weeks after conception. Some women are fortunate to not deal with morning sickness at all, while others will feel nauseous throughout most of their pregnancy.
Other Explanations: Food poisoning, stress, or other stomach disorders can also cause you to feel queasy.
Backaches:
Lower backaches may be a symptom that occurs early in pregnancy; however, it is common to experience a dull backache throughout an entire pregnancy.
Other Explanations: Impending menstruation, stress, other back problems, and physical or mental strains.
Headaches:
The sudden rise of hormones in your body can cause you to have headaches early in pregnancy.
Other Explanations: Dehydration, caffeine withdrawal, impending menstruation, eye strain, or other ailments can be the source of frequent or chronic headaches.
Frequent Urination:
Around 6-8 weeks after conception, you may find yourself making a few extra trips to the bathroom.
Other Explanations: Urinary tract infection, diabetes, increasing liquid intake, or taking excessive diuretics.
Darkening of Areolas:
If you are pregnant, the skin around your nipples may get darker.
Other Explanations: Hormonal imbalance unrelated to pregnancy or may be a leftover effect from a previous pregnancy.
Food Cravings:
While you may not have a strong desire to eat pickles and ice cream, many women will feel cravings for certain foods when they are pregnant. This can last throughout your entire pregnancy.
Other Explanations: Poor diet, lack of a certain nutrient, stress, depression, or impending menstruation
Implantation Bleeding:
Implantation bleeding can be one of the earliest pregnancy symptoms. About 6-12 days after conception, the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall. Some women will experience spotting as well as some cramping.
Other Explanations: Actual menstruation, altered menstruation, changes in birth control pill, infection, or abrasion from intercourse.
Delay/Difference in Menstruation:
A delayed or missed menstruation is the most common pregnancy symptom leading a woman to test for pregnancy. When you become pregnant, your next period should be missed. Many women can bleed while they are pregnant, but typically the bleeding will be shorter or lighter than a normal period. This symptom is commonly explained by other reasons. If you have been sexually active and have missed a period, it is recommended that you take a test: Find a Free Testing Center or Order my pregnancy test
Other Explanations: Excessive weight gain/loss, fatigue, hormonal problems, tension, stress, ceasing to take the birth control pill, or breast-feeding.
Swollen/Tender Breasts:
Swollen or tender breasts is a pregnancy symptom which may begin as early as 1-2 weeks after conception. Women may notice changes in their breasts; they may be tender to the touch, sore, or swollen.
Other Explanations: Hormonal imbalance, birth control pills, impending menstruation (PMS) can also cause your breasts to be swollen or tender.
Fatigue/Tiredness:
Feeling fatigued or more tired is a pregnancy symptom which can also start as early as the first week after conception.
Other Explanations: Stress, exhaustion, depression, common cold or flu, or other illnesses can also leave you feeling tired or fatigued.
Nausea/Morning Sickness:
This well-known pregnancy symptom will often show up between 2-8 weeks after conception. Some women are fortunate to not deal with morning sickness at all, while others will feel nauseous throughout most of their pregnancy.
Other Explanations: Food poisoning, stress, or other stomach disorders can also cause you to feel queasy.
Backaches:
Lower backaches may be a symptom that occurs early in pregnancy; however, it is common to experience a dull backache throughout an entire pregnancy.
Other Explanations: Impending menstruation, stress, other back problems, and physical or mental strains.
Headaches:
The sudden rise of hormones in your body can cause you to have headaches early in pregnancy.
Other Explanations: Dehydration, caffeine withdrawal, impending menstruation, eye strain, or other ailments can be the source of frequent or chronic headaches.
Frequent Urination:
Around 6-8 weeks after conception, you may find yourself making a few extra trips to the bathroom.
Other Explanations: Urinary tract infection, diabetes, increasing liquid intake, or taking excessive diuretics.
Darkening of Areolas:
If you are pregnant, the skin around your nipples may get darker.
Other Explanations: Hormonal imbalance unrelated to pregnancy or may be a leftover effect from a previous pregnancy.
Food Cravings:
While you may not have a strong desire to eat pickles and ice cream, many women will feel cravings for certain foods when they are pregnant. This can last throughout your entire pregnancy.
Other Explanations: Poor diet, lack of a certain nutrient, stress, depression, or impending menstruation
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
Title Post: pregnancy term...?
Rating: 95% based on 95 ratings. 4.8 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks To Visiting My Blog
Rating: 95% based on 95 ratings. 4.8 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks To Visiting My Blog
No comments:
Post a Comment