Seraphina

Hi my cat went into labour today and had 5 kittens one didn't survive. Actually what happened was I had gone into garage to make sure her litter box was clean. She "Seraphina" had gone into her carry crate and I could hear some meowing as I approached to see she was in labour.... I thought she had at least another few weeks. At the edge of her crate I saw a kitten lifeless with part of the amniotic sac still on its head ....it was lifeless. I took it out of the cage I looked at it and it wasn't moving and looked dried up. She was cold to the touch and unresponsive. Anyhow we thought she was dead and she wasn't moving at all . I left for work and when I returned home I checked in on mama and counted 4 living babies, each one is different and only 1 looks like mama.
I decided to examin the lifeless kitten, what we thought was dead kitten and all of a sudden it made a noise ... I couldn't believe my eyes or ears it was alive. I tried to stimulate it I gently washed off the afterbirth on her face and she was responsive... We are talking close to 9 hours later .... We reintroduced her to mama and mama kept ignoring her. She didn't make it. We are all very upset. What more could we have done?

Cat moms will ignore babies that they sense have a problem and may not make it. Sometimes with quick warming up and supplementing with kitten formula they can make it. But even then, it's not a guarantee. Do not beat yourself up over it.

Are the others doing well?

seraphina said:

Hi my cat went into labour today and had 5 kittens one didn't survive. Actually what happened was I had gone into garage to make sure her litter box was clean. She "Seraphina" had gone into her carry crate and I could hear some meowing as I approached to see she was in labour.... I thought she had at least another few weeks. At the edge of her crate I saw a kitten lifeless with part of the amniotic sac still on its head ....it was lifeless. I took it out of the cage I looked at it and it wasn't moving and looked dried up. She was cold to the touch and unresponsive. Anyhow we thought she was dead and she wasn't moving at all . I left for work and when I returned home I checked in on mama and counted 4 living babies, each one is different and only 1 looks like mama.
I decided to examin the lifeless kitten, what we thought was dead kitten and all of a sudden it made a noise ... I couldn't believe my eyes or ears it was alive. I tried to stimulate it I gently washed off the afterbirth on her face and she was responsive... We are talking close to 9 hours later .... We reintroduced her to mama and mama kept ignoring her. She didn't make it. We are all very upset. What more could we have done?

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The seemingly stillborn are sometimes possible to wake to life.  Its by warming them up, massaging, rubbing and stimulating body and legs. Working actively a good while, where warming up is most important.  Remember the scene in the 101 Dalmatinian hounds?

Also trying to get out possible fluids from the mouth and nose...

Still, if she would survive, we cant know. There may have been other faults.  Also, if you thought there was time left before delivery, its probable they are somewhat premature.  and with prematures its always a fight uphill.  Even if they are born alive and survive the first hours.

If so, you are perhaps not out of the woods yet with the others.  You must follow them closely, be prepared to step in. Monitor them, weigh them every day - now in the beginning every 12 hours till you are sure they do gain nicely, at least 6+grammes daily, preferably more.

How are they all looking? All haired, nicely rounded?  Or not?

The 4 remaining are doing well they are all suckeling and are vocal they are all fluffy and round bellied. I was surprised by the delivery I didn't realize she was ready to go. She had become increasingly affectionate with us humans she is normally a jumpy cat... We always gave her her space and didn't force her. She seems extremely content nursing her babies and purring up a storm .... She's like a none stop motor

That's wonderful to hear! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

They're so adorable, and mom looks very content. 

Two thoughts - I would cover the holes in the back of the carrier.  You don't want little kitten heads to get stuck in any holes.  Also, did you say mom is in the garage?  Is is warm enough out there?  And is she totally contained?  You don't want her to get out or for any intact males to get in.  She can get pregnant again at any time now.

I have been putting kibble in her crate. I feed her because she's not leaving her crate at all, I even attached a water bottle, the kind rabbits drink from to the door of her crate but she hasn't drank anything since having her kittens (door is open), she chose to give birth in her carry crate even thoe I had a rubermaid box with rags in it for her. The towel that's in her crate needs washing and its damp, do I just leave it as is ? Do I remove babies into clean box and she will follow?

Yes, try to move mom and babies into the clean, dry box. That would be ideal. The crate is just too small and the holes are dangerous. The mom cat will not drink from a hamster bottle.

My garage is attached to my house, it is heated . No way for her to get outside, or any males to get inside. I leave the door between the house and garage open when I'm home she is free to come in anytime however I keep her litter food water there. She loves her cat cave.

Ok I will move them into the larger box. I have her feeders and water bowl and litter box close by she isn't using anything, that is why I am putting food in her crate and she eats but no water...

Okay! I hope the move to the box is successful! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Update I removed babies into clean box, and then had to physically pull her out of the crate she faught me ( meaning she really didn't want to get out, I placed her in the box with her babies , she hoped out and back into her crate .... Defeated I simply changed the bedding in her crate she hopped right in and I gave her her babies back .... She immediately pulled them all in and continues to purrrr

Well then, she sounds happy in the crate. The small space must feel safe to her for now. At least you got dry bedding in there. Perhaps she'll move them to the bigger nest as they grow bigger. [emoji]128522[/emoji]

I would cover up the holes if she's insisting on staying put.

I will tape cardboard to the outside of crate to kitten proof it , do you think that will do the trick . I don't want to stress her by removing her and kittens again

You could even drape a blanket over the edge. Cardboard would work too.

Quick update
Babies are just a little over a week old ... Some of them seem to be opening their eyes. One, we call her Tigrou ( she looks like her mama) is bigger than the rest of her siblings she's a little fatty. Seraphina is also doing well, she looks a little thin we give her access to food and water all day. Her coat has never been shinier. She use to be a very jumpy weary cat and now she is full of affection. Whenever we go into her room she hops out of her nest and comes for some cuddles rubs herself on us purrs and lays down for head scratches. Will she go back to being jumpy? If we have her neutered will she change her hunt and pray instincts. As I had mentioned in an earlier post she is my mothers cat and they live on a 78 acre farm.( I'm cat sitting since she's on holiday ) There are other cats around that are not spayed either ... Seraphina is an indoor outdoor cat .... She is kept indoors late fall till spring.

We think he's the only male in the litter

She's the smallest of the bunch