Animal Behavior for Shelter Veterinarians and Staff. Группа авторов

may also be a discharge; this is not commonly observed due to the fastidious grooming behavior of most cats. However, one might notice that the queen is grooming her perineal area more often.

      Estrus is the period in which the female is receptive (allows copulatory mounting) to the male. The queen often vocalizes loudly and constantly during this phase; indoor queens may run from window to window while vocalizing. The estrus queen may roll more vigorously. During petting, she will often lower her chest and raise her pelvis. She may also tread with her back legs and deviate her tail to the side. Excessive and persistent vocalization is alarming to some, and those unfamiliar with normal feline reproductive behavior may believe the cat is ill or in severe pain. The estrus queen also urinates more often, a sign that mimics a UTI, and may spray urine as well (Beaver 2003). Her excessive activity may result in decreased appetite and resultant weight loss. The proestrus and estrus stage can last anywhere from 9 to 10 days if the queen remains unbred and approximately 4 days if bred (Banks 1986; Root et al. 1995; Houpt 2005).

      The length of metestrus varies from one to two days to several months, averaging seven to nine days for a non‐bred queen (Banks 1986). If a queen is bred, she will generally return to estrus approximately one to two weeks after weaning during the breeding season, otherwise she will cycle again the next season. There have been reports of bred queens coming into estrus while pregnant. If the queen is bred during the pregnant estrus cycle, the resultant kittens will be immature. When she gives birth, there will be both full‐term and immature kittens; this is known as superfetation (Hunt 1919). Some lactating queens will come into estrus 7 to 10 days after parturition (Schmidt 1985).

      Feline breeding may be described as a violent act. The male and female call back and forth to each other. Multiple males fight, while the female watches at a distance. Once the female has decided on a mate, she allows him to mount, and he bites the back of her neck. The queen emits a piercing howl, which is thought to be the result of the spines on the male penis contacting the cervix after ejaculation (Banks 1986). After the cry, the queen almost immediately jumps away and actively rejects the male. This may include hissing, spitting, and striking at him. She then rolls, stretches, and vigorously grooms her vulva. The time between copulations is variable, from 20 minutes to several hours, and is determined by the queen.

A pregnant queen initially does not display many physical or behavioral changes compared to an anestrus cat. During the last three weeks of gestation, the physiological changes typical of pregnant animals begin to occur, including distension of the abdomen as well as reddening and slight swelling of the nipples. Because of the enlarged abdomen and change in center of gravity, the queen may not be as agile and therefore may not jump up as much. The enlarging uterus puts pressure on the internal organs. This results in the queen preferring small, frequent meals. She may also demonstrate increased frequency of urination and possible difficulty having bowel movements. The increased pressure and discomfort may result in increased grooming of painful areas.

      The gestation lasts between 63 and 65 days on average. Since the queen breeds multiple times and is an induced ovulator, it is difficult to know the exact day of conception. Many queens become more docile and may nest build as they get closer to parturition. Nest building by queens is not reported to be as destructive as the same behavior by bitches. They tend to seek closets and other dark, secluded areas. Unlike dogs, a drop in rectal temperature is not a reliable predictor of impending parturition. Milk and colostrum may be present up to a week prior to parturition. Many queens become less active as their discomfort level increases, but some may seem more agitated or restless as they search for a place to deliver.

      Queens in a colony setting will often cooperatively raise and nurse the kittens. In a shelter situation, this may be helpful, as a queen with a recent litter may willingly foster other kittens. Cooperatively nursed kittens grow faster and are weaned sooner, and, consequently, the queens return to estrus sooner than non‐cooperatively nursing queens. If free to do so, queens will move kittens approximately every three weeks. This is not due to fouling of the nest but is thought to be a way to hide from predators. This suggests that if a queen with kittens in a shelter setting is unable to hide her kittens as she wishes, she may experience some degree of stress. Placement in a foster home, if possible, may be best for the welfare of the queen and kittens. When this is not an option, a quiet and secluded location in the shelter should be identified. Stress from a variety of different causes has been demonstrated to cause permanent changes in the neurophysiological development of offspring, and this can have far‐reaching effects on the suitability of kittens as pets.

      Anestrus in the queen is usually seasonal, although one study reported that only 90% of the longhaired queens and 40% of the shorthaired queens in the study population entered anestrus (Jemmett and Evans 1977). Therefore, it would not be uncommon for a female cat to exhibit estrus‐type behavior year‐round.

      4.9.1.1 Pseudopregnancy (Pseudocyesis, False Pregnancy)

      Pseudopregnancy does not occur as often in the queen as it does in the bitch. Typically, if a queen does have a pseudopregnancy, it is secondary to non‐fertile ovulation or miscarriage. The signs are usually minimal and may go unnoticed. However, the queen may produce milk and adopt inanimate objects as surrogate kittens. Treatment is unnecessary, and the queen will start her estrus cycle within 30–44 days (Hart and Eckstein 1997).

      4.9.1.2 Mastitis

Mastitis is rarely seen in the cat. When it does occur, the first sign noted is often kitten death. Examination of the mammary gland reveals a red, erythematous gland that often produces a purulent discharge. Initially, one might notice that the kittens are more vocal, and the queen may avoid them and become more restless as her mammary gland becomes more uncomfortable. The queen may lick and groom the area more frequently, and she may growl as she grooms. As the infection progresses and the queen becomes more febrile, she will be anorectic, depressed, and adipsic. This will further decrease milk production, resulting in increased vocalization of the hungry kittens. Lack of milk will result in hypothermia, hypoglycemia, and premature death of the kittens. Early identification and treatment can prevent degeneration of the mammary gland to gangrenous mastitis (Gruffydd‐Jones 1980).

      4.9.1.3 Eclampsia

      Eclampsia is not common in cats; however, it has been reported (Bjerkas 1974). When it occurs, it is generally associated with queens who have had multiple litters in a short period of time on a substandard diet. A queen with eclampsia will become ataxic, which is followed by an increased respiratory rate, possibly open‐mouth breathing, and then tonic spasms of the limbs. Following an eclampsic event, the queen may also become hypoglycemic. Eclampsia is life‐threatening.

      4.9.1.4 Pyometra

      Pyometra is an infection of the uterus that occurs when the uterus is under the influence of progesterone. Pyometra in the cat generally occurs in queens between 3 and 14 years of age and is most common in nulliparous queens more than 5 years of age. This condition is also life‐threatening.

      Typical signs for pyometra include polydipsia, weight loss, and foul‐smelling discharge in some cases. Many queens will be depressed, have a slightly decreased appetite, have an increased respiratory rate, and be lethargic. Some will seem relatively normal except for polydipsia and excessive licking or grooming of the hindquarters. Caretakers might notice that the urine in the litterbox has a bloody or mucoid consistency.

      4.9.1.5 Metritis

      Metritis is an infection of the uterus postpartum. In the queen, metritis is most often associated with the presence of a retained fetal membrane or fetus. Typically, the queen is anorectic, depressed, lethargic, and neglects her kittens. The decreased milk production results in inadequate nutrition for the kittens. Consequently, they become more vocal. The queen often has a copious, malodorous discharge. In her depressed condition, she may not groom herself, making the discharge even more apparent. Her febrile state results in a rapid respiratory rate.

      4.9.1.6 Mammary Tumors

      Mammary