Hey all,

I need your help! I live in an apartment above a barn. My apartment is beside a hayloft where I keep my 4 outdoor cats (I also have 2 indoor). One of my females, Olive, looked to be pregnant recently and fairly far along. Today I went out to check on them and feed them and she appears to have lost her buldge. The only problem is, she has been out playing and eating and sleeping and such and doesn't appear to be tending to any newborns. What also troubles me is that she has some vaginal bleeding(just a little). I don't know what's going on with her and I'm concerned! Help!

-Blair- :confused:

Hello Blair,

I suggest you get her to a veterinarian. Sometimes unspayed females can get a pyrometra which is an infection of the uterus. This infection can cause the uterus to fill with pus. When it finally gets to the point where it is draining, the cat can actually feel better for awhile.

If she does have kittens then the bleeding isn't unusual. It's also not unusual for mother cats to leave their babies on and off throughout the day to eat and socialize.

Newborns sleep a lot.

Check her nipples. You should be able to express some milk from them if she has had babies. Also, the nipple area should look wet or the fur might be matted... evidence that kittens have been nursing.

Cats can also have faux, or false, pregnancies just as dogs do. I think it's unusual to have bleeding from the vaginal area if it's a fake pregnancy though.

One would think if she had a pyrometra that she would be sicker than what you describe. However, cats are amazing when it comes to stifling pain.

In summary, if you find kittens then all seems well (as long as she's caring for them properly). If you don't find kittens, get her to a doctor.

You may want to take her in anyway just for a checkup.

Remember, cats can become pregnant as soon as two weeks after giving birth. Have her spayed as soon as you can right after this litter is weaned (at about 8 to 10 weeks). It's so much easier on the cats. Repeated cycling can cause painful cysts on the ovaries or pyrometra.

Hope everything turns out well.

Regards,

Thank you so much. I will continue my search for kittens tonight. If she appears to be looking off or sick and she doesn't have kittens I will take her to the vet. My indoor cat is getting spayed today(I'm nervous for her!). I'll keep a close eye on my loft gal. Thanks.

I think she may have aborted them. She has milk, but the area around her nippes is not pressed down or matted. Nothing has been drinking from her. Luckily she isn't bleeding anymore.