Cat questions

[MotorCityMan]

I know how many cat lovers are on this board, so I thought this would be a good place to ask this.

Question #1; My gorgeous, not-fixed Himalayan cat Lana was, shall we say, "compromised" by an overly amorous neighborhood cat. Lana is a house cat, but Romeo managed to get in the house (long story).

Is there any way I can tell if she is pregnant? I'll be thrilled if she is, my lover will not. The male was a beautiful, very friendly (obviously) black cat and I think the kittens will be beautiful, if Lana is expecting. It's been about a month and she has not displayed any of her usual "in-heat" mannerisms. I have felt her nipples, but am not sure if that is a recent development or if they were just under all that hair. She does not appear to have gained weight (yet).

Question #2; If she is pregnant, is there anything I can do for her once she starts having them? I have assisted in whelping cocker spaniel litters (I used to breed them), and some of the mother's needed a lot of help in the delivery, and nursing for the first week. I have heard that cat's are much more self-sufficient.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[MotorCityMan]

1. Kick

[Brigid]

2. I found this:

I have little experience with pregnant cats, because mine have always been spayed or neutered at an early age. But I did look on google and found this:

http://www.vetinfo.com/cpreg.html

You can also try the Pets forum in the Personal Interest section.

At four weeks, a vet should easily be able to diagnose pregnancy. If Lana is pregnant, you should start feeding her kitten food soon. That will keep her adequately nourished for pregnancy and for nursing her babies.

Ask the vet about spaying Lana once the kittens are weaned. I'm sure they will be beautiful, but finding good homes for kittens is not always easy. And having her continually coming into heat without mating and having kittens is not good for her either.

[MotorCityMan]

3. Thank you, Brigid

I am definitely getting her spayed, once she has the kittens, if she is pregnant. I was going do that earlier this year, but then my goofy, clumsy cocker spaniel Candace fractured her leg, which required a specialist, surgery, and a huge vet bill.