Possible labor????

[aprilbudd]

For the last 2 hours my cat has been acting very unlike herself. We adopted her about 3 weeks ago from a farm field trip we went on with our kids & their school, so there's definatly a possibility she could be pregnant. But she keeps laying on her side, with her tail off to the side, her legs will start shaking and then she'll start 'digging' with her back feet like she would in a litter box. With a very strange meow. I noticed some sort of liquid was leaking from her, appeared to be clear. I've called my vets but they are closed until tomorrow. Any info would be wonderful. Thank you so much!

[slvrwhispr]

My first impulse is that it sounds like she's in heat, but without being able to see the cat (and not being a vet) there's no way to tell whether or not this is an emergency situation. Because of that, and because it doesn't sound like you've gotten her to a vet for a new-pet exam, I would STRONGLY encourage you to get this cat to a vet NOW, without hesitation. Search for 24 hour emergency vets in the area. They can at least tell you whether or not the animal is in danger until you can get her to your vet for a full work-up. Please do not delay; if the cat is having a health emergency, tomorrow might be too late.

Please let us know how it works out.

[aprilbudd]

It's unfortunate that we don't have a 24 hr emergency vet clinic or anything in my town, we live in such a small community. I was able to get in contact with a vet who was 'on call' at the veterinarian office I used to work at and I described everything and he said she was in heat. Set up an appt. for next week for an exam and to have her fixed. So thankful to know that what she was doing was 'normal' as far as he could tell for the time being. Thank you for the response!!

[Traci]

Where are you located? Your IP indicates you're right in the middle of, or very near Portland. (which would have numerous ER services). Granted if you're in a suburb, but how far away are you, exactly?

I'm really confused about your description. She's laying on her side, and shaking her legs, scratching and has a strange meow. Anything more specific?

If she's in heat, she'd most likely be rolling on the floor, chattering or chirping, rubbing up against things, and would be doing this several times a day, for up to a week.

Did you describe this differently to the vet on the phone? I'm not sure how he concluded she is in heat, if you described it the way you have here.

My point is, your description is very confusing and we can't possibly determine what's going on based on that.

How old is she?

How long has this been going on?

Is her abdomen distended, giving her the appearance of pregnancy? If not, she's probably not pregnant.

Where was the fluid from, her vagina or near her anus? If the latter, it might be anal gland secretion.

Is she eating/drinking normally? Are her urination/bowel movements normal? Is she painful when you touch her or pick her up?

Is she active and playful?

Any other pets in the home?

Btw, IF this is a heat cycle, it's generally best to wait until the cycle is over before spaying, since spaying a cat in heat can be more difficult due to the increased blood. I strongly recommend you get a full presurgical blood screen done for her prior to a spay.

I also recommend you get her tested for FELV/FIV first, and dewormed since she was a farm cat. Your vet, upon exam, can determine if she should also get her vaccinations at the time of her spay (or at least a couple, to be followed with the series 4 weeks later).

ALWAYS get newly adopted kittens and cats examined right away with your vet. This means waiting no longer than two days after adoption.

[aprilbudd]

I'm 80 miles from Portland. She was rolling on the floor, tail off to the side, treading her back feet, rubbing all over things. Like I said we got her off of a farm family, they don't know how old she is. Just started yesterday, today she's doing the same thing off & on all morning. The liquid was coming from her anal, I'm sorry I wasn't so descriptive, I posted as fast as I could until I heard back from the veterinarian. Still very playful, eating/drinking normal, urinating & bowels are normal. No other pets in home. Yes I know to wait until after the cycle, I'm taking her in Tuesday (when they're open) to get a checkup/shots and then we'll set up a day for her surgery.

[Traci]

Is she kept indoors-only?

[aprilbudd]

Yes, indoors only

[aprilbudd]

Also wanted to verify, my veterinarian told me he can't diagnose exactly until she is seen, but it appeared to him that it was possibly her being in heat.

[Traci]

I'm just curious, why didn't you try to get her seen today? Almost all clinics have Saturday appointments until noon or 1 PM or so.

[aprilbudd]

.p