Help with cat in labor

I went to feed the chickens and found a cat in our barn. She's clearly pregnant. She was breathing heavy and her back end was wet. She was meowing at me usually the barn cats just run away. I have her some wet food and water. I noticed she had this yellow bulging thing? And then in burst and the fluid was dark yellow. Now she seems fine? As in not on labor anymore? She is lying on her side but no longer breathing heavy? Our cat recently had kittens but did it all at night in the laundry room so I'm not really sure what to expect. I can't leave this poor cat here because a coyote will probably get her but she doesn't seem to want to follow me. I put a crate there so I hope she at least goes in there. She won't let me get near her so I'm not sure if there is anything else on her back end. She seems over calm? Is that a bad sign? Also that the fluid was so dark? Was that her "water breaking?" I didn't think that happened to cats I thought each kitten had it's own bag. She doesn't look very healthy And although cruel I don't think it would benefit her to call a vet. If the kittens are born alive than I would like to keep them in he barn until I can fix and release them because we have such a bad feral issue here.

Its very good that she is no longer breathing heavy and, yes, their water breaks.  Each kitten is contained in a sack so she is ready to birth her litter.  If you could stay with her and make sure she removes the sacks and severs the umbilical cords I would nominate you the feral caregiver of the week.  Also if you could make sure that her kittens are latching and that they seem content I would nominate you again for the rest of the year.  Please stay with her and make sure she and her kittens are safe.  So awesome that she seems calm...she'll probably deliver without incident but please just make sure she's safe.

If you could also acquire some goat milk or kitten milk replacement for her she would benefit greatly from this supplement.  Especially, since she looks unhealthy.  Believe it or not but Wal Mart sells goat milk.  KMR is sold at pet stores.

Thanks so much for caring about this feral mother.

I can give the mother kitten formula? I have a whole can I bought when I cat had kittens. I'm just sitting here, I missed my cats birth I might as well be here for this one! I can't get more than ten feet close to her or she moves. I'll give her some formula at least. She seems like she is just sleeping now, once the water breaks an she stay like this for a while and it's okay? She doesn't seem to want to move to much but she isn't acting as if she's going to have kittens

While your hanging out with the mom (yes, you can give her kitten milk) you can read the links that I think are the sticky notes in this forum.. I will look and see.

Not sure how to copy links but if you go to the Preg cat and kitten care forum there are articles explaining what to expect and watch for.  there are about five on different topics.

Good luck and post pictures.

If you read any of the other threads here that say something about "Help my cat is about to have kittens!"...the links are posted.  Bless you for watching her and keeping her safe from coyotes.  Can't understand what is happening with all the discharge, though.  Praise the cat goddesses that you have milk supplement!

We're staying up with you until she has those kittens.

If she is not acting like she wants to deliver her kittens, I suppose that is okay.  Could you just mention that we, here at TCS, never tire of new kittens?  We love those pictures!!!!

So yea she's still here a lot of licking going I know some fluid is leaking but no blood, she went to the bathroom. She doesn't seem to be trying to hide she's just lying on the floors I fell sleep periodically and Im going to exhausted today but oh well

Oh she drank all the kitten milk and has eaten two whole cans of food. That's a good son isn't usually they won't eat if something is terrible wrong?

Okay first one still born she's licking it how big are placentas I can't see anything else but she has a lot of fur. Should I take the dead kitten away or keep letting her lick???? This is so stressful

I had to leave for a bit but I just checked on the cat and she is still lying there, again very calm like she is sleeping. She licked the stillborn clean and pushed her out of the way, I took it away and she didn't seem to care that I got close. No way to tell if there are more but if there are should I expect them to be still born also? Can feral cats go awhile in between kittens. I still don't know if I saw the placenta. Or I she ate it. I feel bad locking her in but I need to make sure she gets spayed and the kittens get fixed or I'll end up with another 20 cats running around my far

Just checked in on her again and nothing she's curled up sleeping like nothing even happened

Hi! Sorry you haven't heard from anyone in awhile. Bless you for staying up with her. Even though she is semi-feral I am sure it calmed her. Sorry about the still-born kitten. Cats usually eat the placenta, so you may not have seen it. I would not feel badly locking her in. She is safe in the barn from coyotes. This is where she needs to be, and sounds like the cat is starved. The kitten may have been in the birth canal too long and died. Has she had anymore kittens? I applaud you for getting her spayed following this, as she will also be relieved of a huge burden and be healthier and happier!

That may be her only kitten, or she could be having a pause in her labor. Time will tell. Can you continue feeding her and locking her in the barn until you know and can get her spayed?

And if she has more kittens they will not necessarily be stillborn. Sometimes first-time moms can have only one kitten. How does her belly look?

She is eating loads! I am mixing a little formula with the food for the extra nutrients. Her belly is still big looking but she could have worms or something too. Put up our gate and safety net so she can't get out. Ferals are a huge problem here and we have probably trapped 25 at this point. They clip there ears so I can tell. They seek refuge in the barn in the colder months which I don't mind, but I don't want to perpetuate the breeding and then have them hanging around. We found a spay van that will take the ferals for $10 so that helps and I've been giving them rabies shots while they are there too. She looks very similar to them so she might be from one of them. She's been curious and walking around the barn and checking out the animals. Isn't trying to get out. Her bottom seems clean and not sticky or dripping anymore. Maybe it was just one, I'll keep everyone updated

Thank you for caring for her so well. Her belly may be distended from eating so much, as you said she did not look healthy and is clearly starved for nutrition. Or could be more kittens. I would not worm her until you know for sure she is no longer pregnant. She is probably delighted to be treated so well and have shelter right now. Like I said, only time will tell if she is still pregnant. The vet might be able to tell by palpating her before surgery if you have doubts.

It's great that you have TNR'd so many ferals, along with rabies shots and an ear clip. It's the only way to control the population, as you well know. Do you feed your ferals at all? It's nice that they can seek shelter in your barn in the winter. It is a very tough life for ferals, and I personally feel sorry for them. I have TNR'd many ferals in a colony that I fed for many years until they all disappeared or died out.

I don't feed them they have plenty of rodents and things to eat around here. I only put food out of I want to trap one and well ...now. I do notice a few cats hanging around the barn I bet they can smell the food. She's still hanging out and lounging. Not attempting to leave