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A few months ago I stopped giving the pill to Lani. And contrary to my Burmese ladies, who like to keep me waiting for 6 months or more, she got in heat after 2 months. The timing wasn't all that good, because a Burmese litter was about to be born, so I decided we would sit this one out. The next time she could go to the stud. Then these kittens would have left and that would be more quiet for everyone involved.
 She would go to Sayangku again, a beautiful chocolate boy. I was extremely happy with the outcome of their previous litter. I loved their build, as well as their spots and character. I looked forward to their new litter very much. Normally a cat is in heat for 7 to 10 days, has a pause (that can variate in length) and gets is heat again. Apparently Lani was very eager to go to the stud, because she didn't pause at all. In fact, she was in heat for 3 weeks straight. I thought that was too much and decided she would go to the stud as soon as possible. Either the trip and meeting the stud would cause enough stress to break the cycle. Or she would get mated, which would break the cycle as well. She didn't mind the trip very much, she traveled very relaxed. Meeting Sayangku was less to her liking. She thought he was a scary guy and wanted to have nothing to do with him. Fine, I thought, as long as the hormones settle down. Ans that they did. She stayed for a few weeks and became closer and closer with Sayangku. Her hormones kept silent, as did she, so of course we didn't hear or see a mating either. And then I received the question of when I could come and collect her. Here I was thinking the stud was getting a new lady-friend to entertain, so we agreed Lani would get home soon. Then I asked why she had to leave and I was answered that her nipples had swollen since that morning. So she had to be pregnant. Whew....that was a surprise! But....when was she mated? And how far along in her pregnancy was she by now? A mating wasn't seen or heard, so we had no starting date. Well that was a bit tricky. So we took her previous pregnancy as a lead, then her nipples had started swelling on day 17. Now we could calculate back and forward and came to the date of 20 December for the delivery. Now it has been proven before that arithmetic is not my forte, but I didn't do the calculating all by my self this time. To my surprise labor started a week earlier. Luckily I was home and able to attend everything. Apart from the birthing box, nothing was ready. So I stormed through the house gathering everything I might need.  As soon as I had put an absorption mat in the box, Lani went in to lie down. Apparently she still remembered where she was expected to go. The contractions became stronger and came faster. From the sideline she was encouraged, both by the cats and me. That was fine by her. Her body was in full action and that kept her so busy, she had no time for us. After a few hours the first kitten was born, quickly followed by number two. Lani licked them dry and let them suckle. That way they were kept warm too. After a pause number 3 was born, immediately followed by number 4. They too were dried off and fed. Then it stayed quiet for a long time. Lani was tired, but contently curled around her little ones. Suddenly the contractions started again and number 5 was born. After she had dried it, she cleaned herself and walked out of the box. She finished a bowl of food, drank a bit of water, visited the loo and returned to the box. In the meantime I had cleaned up and put the kittens on a dry mat. She looked at her babies, stepped inside and lay down. Tired, but satisfied. Soon after the birth Lani developed a upper respiratory infection. She felled miserable and wasn't her usual self. She hardly cared for her little ones and didn't want to feed them either. The kittens were struggling. They were hungry and cold. Luckily a visit to the vet brought the solution and a course of antibiotics. With a day Lani felt much better and started to take care of her babies again. Sadly we lost a little girl and one of the boys is still struggling. Hopefully is will make it.  All the kittens born seem to be tawny and if I looked right there are still two boys and two girls. That is a wonderful outcome and a pleasant one too. From this litter I would very much like to keep a girl. It seems I have the luxury I can choose. |
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