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Help needed with cat birth

post #1 of 5
11/30/10 at 5:33am
Thread Starter 
My cat Honey (Honey Bear) went into labor around 1:30 am and gave birth to one kitten at 3:00 am and the second kitten at roughly 6:00 am. I have few questions because this is the first time I have dealt with a pregnant cat. My parents are saying she is fine, but I just need something to reassure me.
I have a few questions
1. Is it normal for the kittens to be so far apart in time of birth?
2. How do I know she is done giving birth?
3. Is there anything I should look at for that would signify that something is wrong?
4. How should my cat be acting after birth?

Thanks.
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post #2 of 5
11/30/10 at 5:42am
I'm not sure if this helps, but I found this:

Quote:
While most deliveries go without a hitch, if your queen experiences HARD labor for an hour and has not delivered a kitten, you should be concerned. Do NOT let anyone talk you into letting a cat continue in hard labor for more than two hours. (I tend to panic and phone the vet after one hour). It may be a simple problem where your vet can manually turn a kitten into a better delivery position. However, it could mean the kitten is just too large to deliver or it could even mean a torn uterus. In either case, a cat could labor forever and not deliver. Sometimes a cat needs a C-section but sometimes she just needs more expert help than you can give. Occasionally, labor stops and the veterinarian will give Oxytocin to start contractions again.
here:

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80724
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post #3 of 5
11/30/10 at 5:45am
Check this out too:

http://www.thecatsite.com/Health/96/...y-in-Cats.html

There are things to look for on the second page:

http://www.thecatsite.com/Health/96/...y-in-Cats.html
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post #4 of 5
11/30/10 at 7:53am
I really don't have any advice to add, except, good luck with the babies.

I really wanted to say to AbbysMom: I LOVE your winter pictures. I enjoy reading every time you comment - must be the time of year!
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post #5 of 5
11/30/10 at 8:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by yokobunbun View Post
1. Is it normal for the kittens to be so far apart in time of birth?
2. How do I know she is done giving birth?
3. Is there anything I should look at for that would signify that something is wrong?
4. How should my cat be acting after birth?

Thanks.
1. Yes, it is entirely normal. The cat mom can even give birth a couple of days apart (seldom but not unique).

Provided of course, the mom seems contend and not in pains... You see it quite clearly.

2. It may be difficult to know, because, as said above, they CAN sometimes give birth many hours apart...

But as long the mom is at rest, pleased with the situation, working on with the kittens etc - you dont need to worry.

3. As hinted - if she is visibly troubled - you must be watchful... And ready to contact a vet.
A pleased mom cat at rest usually dont have /shows pains. If she visibly shows pain - you KNOW she is in pains and it is alarming sign.
Raised temp - alarming - phone vet immediately. (it may for example be some infection raising up, and thus can also happen after otherwise lucky deliveries).

The mom should deliver the placenta too the"afterbirth". Sometimes she delivers a baby, but not placenta. Not good...
They usually eats up placenta and the other mess - so if you arent very experienced, it is easy to miss. So dont worry too much... you prob wont see everything anyway....

IF the mom has many babies, dont let her eat up all placentas. 4 is enough. More than 5 placentas gives risk for diarrheas. But your cat dont seems to have more than 2 or 3, right?

Diarrheas or bleeding not good either. Most moms do bleed some, although most of it is blood-coloured water.
Their poo is usually looser immediately before giving birth, so it is normal.

Excessive bleeding or much diarrhea - contact vet asap.

In short:
IF your mom cat seems pleased with the situation - you should observe but can wait.

If she is visibly in pains or in visible trouble - contact the vet.... And be ready for a quick rush in to the vet.


Good luck!


ps: Welcome to the Forums! and please, keep us updated!
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