Clinical management of pregnancy in cats.
Average gestation length in domestic cats is 65.6 days, with a range of 52-74 days. Average reported litter size is 4.0 kittens per litter; litter size is not correlated with number of matings in a given estrus. Superfecundation is common in domestic cats; superfetation never has been definitively proven to occur. Eclampsia may occur during pregnancy in queens, with non-specific clinical signs. Ectopic pregnancy and uterine torsion have been reported. Pregnancy loss may be due to infectious causes, including bacteria, viruses or protozoa, or non-infectious causes, such as hypoluteoidism and chromosome errors.
Root Kustritz
Margaret V
MV
University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine, 1352 Boyd Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108, USA. rootk001@umn.edu
D000034:Abortion, Veterinary / Q000209:etiology; D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D002415:Cats; D004461:Eclampsia / Q000662:veterinary; D004967:Estrogens / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D008098:Litter Size; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000662:veterinary; D011374:Progesterone / Q000502:physiology; D014102:Torsion Abnormality; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000662:veterinary
D004967:Estrogens; D011374:Progesterone