Unsure about cat after birth...

puddleduck121 · May 9, 2015

So my cat gave birth to 1 kitten about midnight last night, we missed the birth and when she checked she had already cleaned the kitten. So I don't know what happened to the afterbirth, I'm hoping that it came out and she just ate it as I hate to think of it still being inside her.

I'm not sure if there's any more kitties to come out, she was thin all through her pregnancy and we never saw/felt any kitten movements. I still don't now, so it's hard to tell.

It's been almost 24 hours, she's eating, drinking and caring for her 1 kitten very well... hasn't left his side all day. She seems very content.

Would we know by now if there were any problems? Such as a retained placenta or stuck kittens? She *seems* totally fine but I don't know whether to just take her to the vets just in case? But I worry she'd get very distressed as she is a skittish cat.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

StefanZ · May 9, 2015

puddleduck121 said:
So my cat gave birth to 1 kitten about midnight last night, we missed the birth and when she checked she had already cleaned the kitten. So I don't know what happened to the afterbirth, I'm hoping that it came out and she just ate it as I hate to think of it still being inside her.

I'm not sure if there's any more kitties to come out, she was thin all through her pregnancy and we never saw/felt any kitten movements. I still don't now, so it's hard to tell.

It's been almost 24 hours, she's eating, drinking and caring for her 1 kitten very well... hasn't left his side all day. She seems very content.

Would we know by now if there were any problems? Such as a retained placenta or stuck kittens? She *seems* totally fine but I don't know whether to just take her to the vets just in case? But I worry she'd get very distressed as she is a skittish cat.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Right. We may presume everything is well. There is seldom problem with the placenta, as there wasnt any visible problems as yet, gather it come out and was eaten.

The question if there is one left or not, is a common one - its sometimes difficult to see, if you arent an expert or otherwise very experienced.

The remedy is the same. If mom is OK, no troubles, happy with the born kittens etc, as here - observe, but you can wait and see, and enjoy the experience.

If there are any visible problems, or your instincts tell you something is serious amiss - contact your vet asap, and be ready to rush her in.

HERE, I think everyting is OK.

But good you are observant, there are several complications which can happen, even if the self birthing procedure was normal and good.

Good luck!

puddleduck121 · May 9, 2015

Thanks :-) yes I'm home all the time at the moment so I'm able to check on her frequently.

I was slightly concerned that I thought I could feel something a bit like a kitten low in her belly - towards her bits - but I have since read in other threads on here that this may just be her uterus still feeling a bit lumpy after birth. After feeling her belly again I don't think the lump is particularly kitten-like.

She does seem to like having her belly rubbed right now though... not sure why as she hated it before. Right now it seems to greatly soothe her.

Thanks again :-)

StefanZ · May 9, 2015

puddleduck121 said:
Thanks :-) yes I'm home all the time at the moment so I'm able to check on her frequently.

I was slightly concerned that I thought I could feel something a bit like a kitten low in her belly - towards her bits - but I have since read in other threads on here that this may just be her uterus still feeling a bit lumpy after birth. After feeling her belly again I don't think the lump is particularly kitten-like.

She does seem to like having her belly rubbed right now though... not sure why as she hated it before. Right now it seems to greatly soothe her.

Thanks again :-)

We had even a forumite not far ago who was entirely sure she felt kitten movements. But as nothing happened afterwards, and everyihing was OK and everyone happy, we took the conclusion it must have been gases rolling around her intestines. So, as you yourself notice, sometimes its not easy to tell.

But, as pauses are quite common and not dangerous, as long as everything is OK, the remedy is the same: wait and see.

Yes, rubbing the tummy helps them often, if they allow. Not least, shortly before the delivery they often want it. One of our forumites told he saw an scientfic article where they had proofs its WAS beneficial, encouraging some useful hormones.

It may surely be som also now, after delivery. And yes, it surely soothes the muscles, tired after the labor.

nansiludie · May 9, 2015

Strange, only a single kitten. Could you take her to a vet and see if they would feel her belly, figuring she'd be far enough along that they'd be noticable. I've not ever had a cat have only a single kitten, the least was 2 the most was 7. Because by the time she would be in distress she would probably be pretty ill.

StefanZ · May 9, 2015

nansiludie said:
Strange, only a single kitten. Could you take her to a vet and see if they would feel her belly, figuring she'd be far enough along that they'd be noticable. I've not ever had a cat have only a single kitten, the least was 2 the most was 7. Because by the time she would be in distress she would probably be pretty ill.

One kitten isnt really unusual. Not common, but not unique in any way.

Of course, if you do have good contact with a vet, it is always wise to take the precaution.

Unsure about cat after birth...

puddleduck121

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StefanZ

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puddleduck121

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nansiludie

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