I don't know what to do about umbilical cords being tangled and can't afford a vet.

My cat just gave birth to 7 kittens and I went to work and came home about 11 pm and they were tangled by the umbilical cords and I don't have the money for a vet what do I do?

You need to tie each one off with dental floss about an inch from the naval and cut it with a scissor. Cut the cord on the other side of the knot - not the side next to the naval.

I wanted to get that to you asap. Tie off all the cords before cutting any of them so no kitten bleeds out. Cut the cord on the other side of the knot - not the side next to the naval. Then make sure no kitten is bleeding from the cord and put them to mama to nurse. Are they all okay? Please post an update after you take care of the cord situation. Good luck and welcome to the forum!

I can't get to any of the cords I called a 24 hour vet and he said the same so I attempted and couldn't. One of the 7 their hide legs are stuck in it. And idk I'm stressing about it and mama kitty ain't helping at all.

Why can't you get to the cords? You must get to the cords or the kittens can die. Take mama cat and gently put her in the bathroom while you do this. Then very gently sort out the cord situation and tie them, cut them, untangle them, and put mama back! She will not like being away from her newborns and will cry but it shouldn't take long. Do it and let me know!

Gently remove mama and gently move the kittens in the way you need to in order to do this. I wish I could help you but you can do this!

How is it going? Did you have success?

brittanyann said:

I can't get to any of the cords I called a 24 hour vet and he said the same so I attempted and couldn't. One of the 7 their hide legs are stuck in it. And idk I'm stressing about it and mama kitty ain't helping at all.

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You can even use your own nails, if it is easier.   One cord at a time...

Have clean hands, but they dont need to be sterile.

The blood has probably stopped by now, so the risk for bleeding is minimal at this moment, so sear it open where you get to.

You do perhaps have some neigbour whom is known to be cold blooded?  Perhaps a mom of several children?  These are used to manage chaotic situations...

I'm going to see if my mother will help.. I still can't get it.

The sack is still on the umbilical cords I really have tried everything the vet told me and I can't get it.

I still can't get it.

Why can't you get it? I am not understanding the situation. Are the kittens alive and nursing? If they are, at this point, just cut the cords and remove the placentas into the trash.

If the kittens are still enclosed in the sacks, they will be deceased by now. How is mama kitty doing? Is she okay? I'm not understanding what it is that you can't get. Can you explain it to me?

They aren't in the sacks but the I guess placenta is still at the bottom of the cords and I can't get enough of the cords to tie them and cut them.

Just cut them. There should be no bleeding at this point. Cut them close to the placenta and just pinch each cord closed with your finger. It should be okay. Remove the placentas to the trash. Are the kittens moving, mewing or nursing? Thank you for the explanation. Please try what I described one more time. Were you not able to reach your mom? I'll wait to hear back from you. Let's do it!

The mama cat usually bites the cord and eats the placentas. She also opens the sack and licks the kittens to stimulate breathing and clean them up. Sounds like she at least opened each sack and maybe cleaned them up. She had a big litter of seven, so they may have been coming too fast or she may be an inexperienced first time mom. It happens.

It sounds like the kittens are okay though, you just need to pinch off the cords and throw away the placentas, and perhaps put down fresh towels or blankets in the nest.

Put the new family in a dark, quiet area like a closet or low-traffic area in your home, and offer mom kitty some food and water. She's probably tired. Hope it's going okay. Thank you for trying so hard! Give a report when you can! You'll need to rest too!

B brittanyann

How is it going today? Were you able to resolve the cord situation or get help from your mom? How is the new family doing today? Wishing you the best! Would love to hear a report.

She got one detached but since it's foot was stuck in it she chewed it's foot off so we got one detached 3 of them did pass away and I can get to the cords of the other 3 now

We got the live ones detached. Thank you guys for all the help.

Thank you for the update. I'm sorry that 3 of the kittens died, but glad the others are okay. How is the kitten doing whose foot she chewed off? I hate to hear this! Clearly mama kitty is an inexperienced mom and did not know what to do!

Are the remaining four kittens nursing well on mama kitty?

Please let me know!