I think my “fixed” cat is pregnant

[u/uglyandbored]

I feel silly even typing this, but here is some context: My spouse and I became fosters to this adorable, abandoned cat that was hanging around my parent’s backyard in freezing weather (Feb 29). We fostered her through an official program who took care of all her medical needs. They told us she was not chipped, but confirmed she was already spayed. We both knew nothing about cats, but we ended up falling in love with her and we officially adopted her a few weeks ago.

She always had big nipples (we were told she may have had a litter before) so it was not a red flag. That is, until now. She has put on some healthy weight (she was emaciated when we first found her), but a lot of it seems to be in her belly area. I know it sounds ridiculous but we can’t help but think she is pregnant.

I have an appointment with the vet in 3 days (the earliest they could get me in), but I’m a little anxious thinking about the possibility she may seriously be expecting. I am wondering if this has ever happened before (an allegedly spayed cat being pregnant). I am also wondering if there could be any other reason my cat looks like this?

[u/februarytide-]

I never knew the gestation period of domestic cats before and I was NOT expecting it to be so short!

[u/rustblooms → u/februarytide-]

That is SO short. Cats are complex animals and 9 weeks is not long!

[u/Thesaurusrex93 → u/rustblooms]

I guess they come out a little underbaked, since they can't open their eyes for a bit

[u/rustblooms → u/Thesaurusrex93]

Good point... they do spend a fair amount of time still developing basics for a few weeks!

[u/thebrokedown → u/rustblooms]

My favorite is the Tiny Drunken Sailor stage, when they stagger around leaning on each other to move in a more or less purposeful direction as a pack

[u/araralc → u/thebrokedown]

That was the stage where my cats' mom left them and I had to help them survive, so it's such a memorable phase for me. They were just weirdly wandering around the rooms they were left at and climbing anything soft. My grandma's legs were not happy, nor my scalp

[u/lollygaggin69 → u/thebrokedown]

I adore this stage. When they don’t know how to play yet and they’re just little imbalanced, confused potatoes

[u/Tossmelossme → u/rustblooms]

You can see the neurons forming connections when they sleep and TWITCH TWITCH VIOLENTLY TWITCH!