Kitten has three legs, only one in three hours

My cat started to have her kittens around 10:30 this morning, it's 1:30 or so now. So far she has only had the one kitten. I'm not sure if the leg was lost during the birthing process (it was a breech birth) or if it just never formed.

The kitten seems healthy, it's eating and the mother is taking care of it. I'm hesitent to move them when the mother might not be done done giving birth.

How long is too long between kittens, and how can I tell if she will only have the one?

Can you feel any more kittens or movements in her tummy.

It's difficult to tell, I'm worried about prodding to hard and hurting her or a potential kitten

brummond said:

My cat started to have her kittens around 10:30 this morning, it's 1:30 or so now. So far she has only had the one kitten. I'm not sure if the leg was lost during the birthing process (it was a breech birth) or if it just never formed.

The kitten seems healthy, it's eating and the mother is taking care of it. I'm hesitent to move them when the mother might not be done done giving birth.

How long is too long between kittens, and how can I tell if she will only have the one?

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It can vary.  Most often the pauses arent very long, but there is no sure rule. Pauses can be hours and even days.

We dont want prolonged active labor - that is often an vet errand.  But if mom is OK, no troubles, happy busying herself with that already born kitten, its essentially just to wait and see.  Have eyes open and be watchfull, but no need to panic.

Why do you want to move them?   Arent they in their nest?  - mom chooses often to delive not in the prepared nest.

Or do you want to tidy up the mess??

And the kitten - IF the kitten lost his leg, there should be some sort of wound noticeable...   Although I suppose the wounds do seal themselves, othewise they would bleed to death - and we know they often survive...

A three legged kitten usually manages just fine, unless there arent any other complications...

Please continue to report.

Good luck!

When I said I was interested in moving them, I meant by taking them to the vet. He's not bleeding, but I do remember seeing two legs when she first started giving birth to him. He doesn't seem to care at all about the missing leg.

I think I may just keep and eye on it for now and clean it as I need to. Though I do understand that he will need to see a vet to make sure there won't be any complications later on.

brummond said:

When I said I was interested in moving them, I meant by taking them to the vet. He's not bleeding, but I do remember seeing two legs when she first started giving birth to him. He doesn't seem to care at all about the missing leg.

I think I may just keep and eye on it for now and clean it as I need to. Though I do understand that he will need to see a vet to make sure there won't be any complications later on.

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I see.  also, one problem, if you are fairly sure the leg has been seared off, but NOT delivered, so the leg is still inside.  May be an reason by itself to get the vets assitance. (As it seems the wounds DID sealed off themselves.)

Begin perhaps by phoning the vet and asking?  Be ready to take them in.

This is now several hours after your first post.  How is it going?