Luna

Guiny's Pregnancy Calendar

Tom:

Las Perlas-Sin Eminyan

Queen:

Alexandra of Ginevra (Guiny)

Breeder:

Faerie Kiss

Colours:

seal, blue, seal tabby, blue tabby

Sat 6 Apr 2002

	First day of mating.
	It's best to separate queen and tom 48 hours after the first mating. Subsequent matings occurring over a limited period of time enhance the release of Luteinizing Hormone from the pituitary gland. This hormone is needed for the final maturation of the ovarian follicles. One single mating would probably not be sufficient, but don't make the mistake of letting the two mate 'too' long (longer than three days) - it will be very difficult then to predict the date of confinement.
	The spermatozoa migrate up through the cervix.

Sun 7 Apr 2002

Ovulation (the release of a mature egg from an ovarian follicle). The ovulation is induced by the act or acts of sexual intercourse. It usually takes place about 24 to 36 hours after intercourse.

Sun 7 Apr 2002 -
Mon 8 Apr 2002

Spermatozoa reach the eggs in the oviducts.

Mon 8 Apr 2002 -
Tue 9 Apr 2002

Fertilisation occurs in the oviducts which lead from the ovaries to the uterus.

Tue 9 Apr 2002 -
Thu 11 Apr 2002

	Fertilised eggs migrate down the oviducts and into the uterine horns.
	The migration continue to enable even spacing of the embryos.
	During this migration the eggs will grow into a blastocystes.

Wed 17 Apr 2002 -
Fri 19 Apr 2002

The blastocystes implant in the wall of the uterus.

Wed 17 Apr 2002 -
Wed 1 May 2002

	The blastocystes will grow into an embryos.
	During the next two weeks the important organs will develop.

Sat 20 Apr 2002 -
Sat 27 Apr 2002

	Queens nipples begin to pink up and slightly enlarge.
	The fur on the queens belly and around the nipples will become thinner.

Fri 26 Apr 2002 -
Fri 3 May 2002

	Morning sickness might occur due to hormonal changes or stretching and distension of the uterus. Queen may appear a bit apathetic. She may be off her feed for a while and vomit from time to time.
	Feeding the queen several meals spaced throughout the day might help.
	Your veterinarian may want to prescribe a drug to relax the uterus.

Wed 1 May 2002 -
Sun 5 May 2002

	An experienced person (a breeder or a veterinarian) can tell by careful palpation whether the queen is pregnant.
	It's now the best time to do this because the embryos are walnut-sized now and easy to count.

Sat 4 May 2002

	You can now start to increase the queens food ration. Premium quality commercial cat foods often have a 'kitten' formulated food. You might want to switch to this. Don't switch to another brand though.
	Don't overfeed, excessive weight gain should be avoided.
	The foetuses are about 25 to 30 millimetres now and are fully developed miniature cats.

Fri 10 May 2002

The Queens abdomen starts to get larger.

Mon 20 May 2002

It's very easy now to feel the kittens, counting them might be a bit more difficult.

Thu 23 May 2002 -
Fri 31 May 2002

	Queen begins to spend a lot more time in self-grooming.
	Her breasts become even more swollen.
	She may become a bit restlessness and begin to search for a suitable place to have her kittens.

Sat 25 May 2002

	The queen might lose her appetite during this period. Her abdomen can be crowded with kittens.
	It is better to feed several smaller meals spaced throughout the day.
	You can easily detect abdominal movement now.

Sat 25 May 2002 -
Sun 9 Jun 2002

If your queen has difficulties grooming herself, you might want to help her. Nipples and vulva should be gently cleaned with warm water, you might want to trim the hairs surrounding the nipples, to allow easier access for the kittens to suck. Do not remove the hair completely, some breeds are born with sharp talons which can tear the skin around the nipples.

Tue 4 Jun 2002 -
Fri 7 Jun 2002

Milky fluid may be expressed from the nipples.

Wed 5 Jun 2002

You might want to start taking the queens rectal temperature each morning.

Sat 8 Jun 2002

	Twelve to 24 hours before she is due to deliver, the queens rectal temperature may drop from 38.5 to 37.5 degrees Celsius.
	Clear or blood-tinged discharge from the vulva might occur.

Sun 9 Jun 2002

Expected date of confinement. Of course this is just an average. Parturition may take place from the 59th to the 70th day. Kittens born before the 58th day will probably be too young to survive.