Phoenix's First Pregnancy Diary

Update

Firstly, my apologies that this entry has taken such a long time to get online.  

When Phoenix was three days past her due date, I took her to our vet who confirmed that she had in fact had a phantom pregnancy.  She was even lactating in the last few days.  We were obviously extremely disappointed, and Phoenix was quite depressed for a few days.

Although it was very sad not to have a litter at the end of this, I was grateful that Phoenix didn't have to undergo a c-section or any other treatment.  With some special attention and plenty of treats, she is back to herself now. 

31 July 09

Well this will be the last pregnancy diary entry.  Hopefully next week we will have a brand new kitten diary on-line.  I have to say that the pictures this week are terrible.  I was trying to take photos while the cats were having breakfast and my camera batteries died before I managed to get any really good ones.  The non-breakfast photo is poor Phoenix napping on top of her nest box, while the boys are happily snuggled up inside it.

Over the last couple of days there has been a big increase in Phoenix's appetite.  She isn't eating huge amounts at each meal, but she is much more interested in the little snacks I keep offering her.  She is also sleeping a lot, and is quite restless during the time when she is awake.

Phoenix loves bed time, and runs to wait at the bedroom door when I'm on my way to bed.  She has also got used to the supper I take up with us, and stands in her bowl's spot shouting at me if I'm not quick enough to put it down for her.  I think she has started to be very aware of where we are in the house, and likes to be close to us when she can.

All the kittening equipment is collected together and on hand to avoid any last minute rushing around (although I'm sure there will be something I've forgotten!).  So now it's a case of leaving the house as little as possible, monitoring Phoenix and praying for an easy birth and healthy babies.




24 July 09

Another late diary entry I'm afraid, due to the on-going house move.  However, we are all now living at the new house and all the cats have settled down fine.  Phoenix is still doing well, she's very shiny and putting weight on nicely.  She is not going to be huge with this pregnancy, and we don't expect a large litter.  This is perfect really for a first litter as we don't want her to be overwhelmed with motherhood.

The babies are obviously making their presence felt, because sometimes when Phoenix is running around the house she will stop very suddenly, looking very confused.  You can see her stomach moving, and her coat ripples from one end of her body to the other.  Bless her, she has no idea quite what is happening.

There is lots of nesting behaviour going on now too.  She has a box in our bedroom that she potters in and out of during the night, re-arranging the bedding constantly, and another downstairs for during the daytime that she loves to curl up in.

Although she is still very affectionate, and spends most of the night in bed, she is still Daddy's Girl when it comes to cuddles on the sofa.  She just can't seem to settle on me.  The only other person she's sat for lap cuddles with is our niece Megan, who she has always got on well with.

Phoenix's due date is getting close now, and we just can't wait to find out what this first mating of our two foundation cats will give us.  The next week will be spent making sure Phoenix is eating a good amount and good variety of foods.  She has not had any commercial food at all throughout this pregnancy, which I am over the moon with.  I was very tempted to give in and try pouches or biscuits when her appetite waned last week, but we got there with a variety of raw foods.  She will also be deciding exactly where she intends to have the babies during this week, so her nest box needs to be set up for her to get used to and feel safe in.  I will be keeping a very close eye on her for signs of the onset of labour, so that I can make sure I am with her.  Work have kindly accepted that they won't be my priority in the first week of August, and I can't quite predict when my days off will actually be!

Hopefully I will manage one more update before the birth, check back next week for a progress report!

The photos this week are of Valentine having a lazy morning with Phoenix.  I do love these chilled out cuddle sessions.  There is also one picture of Megan with Phoenix at a show when she was a kitten.



13 July 09

This diary entry is very late going on-line.  We are in the middle of moving house, and everything is rather hectic!  At last Phoenix seems to be constantly larger around the middle.  She is being very picky with food now, and I keep trying different foods and combinations to make sure she and the babies are getting enough nutrients.  I am determined that she won't have commercial food, so I'm using 'smelly' foods like pilchards mixed in with some of the meat to encourage her to eat.  She is still quite enthusiastic about chicken wings and thighs so I know she is getting plenty of calcium and taurine.

To make sure our girl is getting enough rest, she is now sleeping in our bedroom away from the boys.  She is really enjoying her extra cuddles, and is usually snuggled down in bed with us.  

My aim is to get us all settled in the new house this week so that Phoenix has time to get used to her new home before the birth.  What with driving back and forth between houses, and having to get back for her extra feeding times, I think we will all benefit from being less frantic :)




01 July 09

Today is day thirty five, and poor Phoenix is suffering a little with the heat.  Yesterday her breakfast came straight back up again, and her appetite has really slowed.  I'm making sure she has at least three small meals a day now, and if she ask for more she is allowed extras.  I have also started leaving an extra bowl of water down for the benefit of all the kids.

It seems that Phoenix varies her size day by day.  If she's having an off day as far as eating goes, you can see the difference.  I think this is why she looks quite slight in these photos - they were taken over the last couple of days when the heat really kicked in.  It's interesting to compare 'bumps' with Kat's girl Afrikoko, who is due only a few days after Phoenix.

Our Princess Tortoiseshell continues to be very protective of her stomach, and although she is still very active, I have started to notice she doesn't make the huge leaps onto furniture that she used to.  It appears she is being a little more cautious and is aware of her changing weight and shape.



26 June 09

Well here are Phoenix's 'week four' photos.  They are really not the best photos, but it's quite tricky to get an Oriental Tortie to pose for pregnancy bump pictures!  I have to say that I have noticed how content and pleased with herself Phoenix seems at the moment.  Most of the time she looks as if she's smiling to herself.  Hopefully the other thing you can see from the photos is that she is incredibly shiny and healthy looking at the moment.



23 June 09

Although much to my frustration, Phoenix hasn't 'pinked up' yet, I am reasonably certain that she is pregnant.  Most importantly, she hasn't come back into call.  I would have expected her to call again last week if she wasn't pregnant.  She also has a little bump.  I'm sure it isn't noticable to anyone who doesn't know her quite well, but it's apparent to me and Tony, and some of our friends who see her often.  Also, Kat says she can see 'bump' in photos I've sent her!  Although her nipples haven't become pink, they are definitely enlarged, which is another good sign.

Happily, the sickness only lasted a short while.  For the first couple of weeks she became quite aloof, and since she is normally an affectionate girl, I found it quite strange.  Then she decided she was very much a Daddy's Girl, and still insists on Tony's lap most evenings.  This last week or though, she has been rather more clingy.  She trots around after me and when I stand still, tends to put her front paws up on me and chirp until I pick her up.  She has also started coming into the bedroom first thing in the morning for pre-breakfast cuddles, which I have to say I am really enjoying.

I've started to notice an increase in Phoenix's appetite.  At only just four weeks, she shouldn't need a huge food increase just yet, but she is a slim girl who doesn't over-eat, so if she asks for extra dinner, she is allowed a little more food.

The lack of photos in this diary has been pointed out to me :)  I do have some, but there is a slight computer situation at home at the moment, so they will have to be done at work.  Please check back, I will do them soon I promise!

04 June 09

It's still too soon to tell if Phoenix is pregnant but she has been quite sick the last couple of mornings, just as I'm trying to get out of the door to go to work.  So far I have managed to avoid treading in it, but we'll see how long my luck lasts.

These photos are from the second week of pregnancy.  Believe it or not, there is a tiny bump there!


26 May 09

As Valentine has matured so very quickly, we decided that Phoenix would be mated to him for her first litter.  This way she avoids the stress of the snap test, journey to an outside stud and staying at a strange cattery.

We are lucky that Valentine is such a laid back boy, and he and Phoenix get on very well anyway, so their honeymoon was particularly straight forward and without problems.

So now we have three weeks to wait for the first signs of pregnancy, which I’m sure will seem like an eternity!