After giving birth.

Hello, I need help - opinion on situtation.

My queen cat had give birth yesterday about 10am in the morning. She had normal delivery for 4 kittens. I just thought she was fine yesterday. But she was panting until today. I know it's kinda hot here in our place but is it normal if he temp was like 39 degrees? I just get that using termo on her armfit. Some yahoo answer said that she might have fever. But she's fine I guess because she's still eating wet food and drinking milk. Kinda rarely drink water but her appetite was still ok. I was worrying what to do now. I can't drop her on vet clinic coz its late. Please help. I don't want kittens to get sick too.

Thank you!

  It sounds like your queen may be running a fever.     39 degrees is at the high end of normal range for a cat's INTERNAL body temperature.   (measured in the rectum,  or inside the ear using a special thermometer made for cats' ears ) 

 A temp under the armpit would usually be lower.    I think I have heard people talk about 37.5 C ( about 99 F.) as a typical temperature they got  for the cat's armpit ?   But there is no real exact standard for the temperature under a cat's leg,   because it is much less  reliable.    The fur makes it difficult to measure accurately,    and it may be difficult to get the cat to hold the thermometer tightly under a leg long enough;  or the tip of the thermometer might end up in a hollow area of the armpit so it does not get as hot.  etc.    

But in any case,  the "armpit" temperature is almost certainly going to be  lower than the rectal temperature.   So if you're getting 39 in the armpit,  the internal temp must be at least somewhat above normal.    I just don't know how much above normal.   so that makes it hard to tell you how serious it is,  whether this is something that can wait until the vet opens in the morning,  or whether she needs to get to an emergency vet tonight. 

 The panting certainly may be due to a fever possibly due to metritis ( infection of the lining of the uterus)  but she may also have been panting because she was / is still be in labor and may have another kitten  or a dead fetus or a  placenta still inside her .     (  And if she does have a dead fetus or a retained placenta,   that can cause serious infection. ) 

 Is she still panting now?      If she stopped panting it may just be she finally got tired and stopped the labor,  but if she still has  a fetus or placenta in her, it would of course need to come out! 

It is a good sign she seems otherwise OK and has a good appetite.    and I guess she has been nursing and caring for her kittens OK?     and  you do not mention any foul smelling discharge.    

But  she could be just starting to get ill and does not have all the symptoms yet. 

  If you can do it without her becoming too upset,  you could take her rectal temp to get a better idea what is going on.   http://www.petplace.com/cats/how-to-take-your-cat-s-temperature/page1.aspx      BUT if she gets very distressed ,  it may be better to wait and let the vet do it.   

 If you do manage to take her rectal temp and find that it is over 40.5 C.,  you  should try to take her to a 24 hour emergency vet right away.   Or  if  that is impossible,  at  least  find a 24 hour vet you can telephone to.  

  If you are able to get a rectal temp and it is between 39.4 -  to 40.5 C  and she seems otherwise OK,  and is not currently panting or straining,   you might be able to wait  until morning.    

 
 Hope she and the kittens will be OK.  

I agree totally with Maews analysis. 39 in armpit is a raised temp, so the alarm bells shall be on and you verry observant.

Good luck!   *vibes*

My queen had vet check early this morning. Vet said she's fine. Cause of her panting is due to hot weather and said she'll be alright. Vet checked her temp and said she had 39.2, if the temp of our queen is exceed beyond 39.4 she has flu. Vet told us that my cat needs at least not to hot place so she can relax. And because she's nursing the temp of 4 kittens are also affects her behavior that may add extra temp to her body. Vet was just concerned on her ear mites that may transfer to kittens. So vet gave her treatment. As of now we tried our best to relocate the box to warmer place.

And we're glad her behaviour now is quite good.

*Sorry for grammar error*

That's good to hear that she didn't really have a fever!    I am surprised that the temperature in the armpit would have been so close to the internal temperature  but I am glad   it turned out OK.    I am sure you are relieved.  

 I think you meant you would locate box to a cooler place ?   You don't want it too cool because the newborn kittens do need it to be warm.  but  they don't need it to be HOT like 37 degrees!   About 29 degrees is good for kittens under 2 weeks old .  and that would be just  in the box.  It doesn't mean the whole room  has to be that warm.  

And don't put a fan blowing right on them.   but you can have one in the room to move some air around,  as long as it's not blowing on them. 

 Don't worry about grammar.  Your English is very good!   

I don't know what happend to my queen. After her check up her behavior of panting decreased. Funny how we think but we just thought she's scared we bring her back to vet clinic.

About the warm place. Since our bed is near the window we decided to moved to box beside the bed so we can at least check them if our queen leaves them and wanted downstairs like she always do before she gave birth. At least place not too hot and not too cold.

I have a picture of one kitten and she is so lovely.