Pregnancy and Delivery in Cats

Kitten Stuck in the Birth Canal

• A kitten should not spend more than fifteen minutes in the birth canal.
• While in the birth canal, pressure on the umbilical cord deprives the kitten of oxygen.
• If you should see a kitten in this situation, grab it gently with a soft cloth, and pull it with backwards and downwards motion. Grab the kitten by its hips or shoulders, not its head or legs.
• It is normal for kittens to arrive either head first or tail first.
• Each kitten arrives wrapped in a jelly-like membrane filled with clear fluid (the amniotic sac).
• If the sac is broken in the birth canal, the kitten needs to be delivered immediately.

In the rare case where the mother does not free the kitten's mouth from the obstructing membrane you should do it for her by rubbing the kitten in a soft towel to dry it and stimulate respiration.

The placenta is still attached to the kitten at this time. It will slowly come out following each birth. The mother will also chew off the umbilical cord at this time. If she forgets to do this to one or more of the kittens, DO NOT PULL THE CORD, tie off the cord with a length of dental floss and snip the cord about an inch long.

It is important to let the mother do these things herself if she will because through licking and mothering the kitten she bonds with it and recognizes it as her infant. She may eat the placentas, this is normal.

Your cat will probably begin nursing the kitten (s) before the next kitten arrives. If she doesn't, you will want to place the kitten (s) on one of her nipples. The nursing will stimulate her uterus to contract further so you may see a blood tinged or greenish, yellow discharge. After birth, the mother may discharge a bloody fluid for up to 10 days. The discharge will be spotty. If it is a heavy discharge, or foul smelling- get the cat to the vet immediately!

Warning Signs of problem pregnancy:

• Spontaneous abortion- there is nothing that can be done. It is just nature taking its course, but the cat needs to be seen by a vet.
• The cat is pregnant more than 67 days.
• The cat's temperature has been below one hundred for more than one day.
• Eclampsia- this occurs about three weeks after the delivery, or sometimes later in the pregnancy. But the queen is losing calcium quickly. Her gait will be wobbly and stiff. She could be irritable, and vomiting. This can be fatal and needs vet intervention immediately.
• The cat is depressed, weak or lethargic.
• A kitten is lodged in the birth canal for more then ten minutes and you cannot dislodge it for her.
• The cat has contractions for more than four hours with no kitten appearing.
• Vaginal discharge begins that is pus-like, has a foul smell to it or appears thick and infected. This is known as Purulent Discharge.
• You have more kittens than you have placentas.
• Mom is ignoring the kittens, and moving them out of the nest.
• Kittens appear to be weak and unable to nurse.
• The mammary gland (breast) is hot, hard or painful. This is known as mastitis.
• Kittens are mewing constantly working the nipples, not sleeping or are restless.
• Kittens are not receiving enough milk to look plump and satisfied.
• The mother cat's temperature is over 102.5, and two days have passed since she gave birth.

Sandie Taylor and husband Ken breed Munckin cats.Read more about Sandkats Cattery.