8-9 Month Old Kitten is Pregnant (Help Required!)

halliethekitten

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Messages
57
Purraise
26
Hello. My name is Rachel, and I am new to this site. I am in need of dire help for my kitten, Hallie. She is currently pregnant, and could delivery any moment now (according to the vet). She's only having one kit, which would cause the odds of having complications to only be higher. Along with that, she's been bleeding from what I presume to be her anus and vaginal area. Often times I'll spot mini pools of blood. At times there's gushy things in it, it'll be watery, or a deep scarlet colour. When I had taken her in for an emergency trip to the vet, they had told me that the kit was huge. Also, she doesn't appear to have any issues. Her fecal test went well, etc. No blood in the feces. Still, I am not assured that all is going too well. The bleeding continues, and in fact, today the pools of blood were larger. At times, I do notice that it appears as if she's having weak contractions. Also, her stomach seems to be lumpy, squishy, and hard all at once in various of areas near her lower region. All signs are pointing to a miscarriage, from the little that I know. She hasn't been eating as much, either. Usually she'd dash and pounce when her bowl had moved in even the slightest bit. But now? She slowly stalks over, or continues to lay there. Her bowl would be licked clean as if she were grooming it and not herself. Now, there's always a ton of leftovers. At times, just a bit. That is very unusual of her. I've had her for a total or two months, she was a stray that I had been caring for outside. She's never displayed such a behaviour. Eating is one of her top priorities.. Or at least was. Finally, she sometimes has an incredibly foul odor from either her anus or vaginal area. It smells as if one had left eggs to rot. Her waste appears to be fine, and have a 'normal' scent. The smells can be frequent at times. I'm greatly concerned. Today I will be calling yet another vet for a second opini I need on the matter. Any help would be appreciated, thank you.
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
26,074
Purraise
10,777
Location
Sweden
Hello. My name is Rachel, and I am new to this site. I am in need of dire help for my kitten, Hallie. She is currently pregnant, and could delivery any moment now (according to the vet). She's only having one kit, which would cause the odds of having complications to only be higher. Along with that, she's been bleeding from what I presume to be her anus and vaginal area. Often times I'll spot mini pools of blood. At times there's gushy things in it, it'll be watery, or a deep scarlet colour. When I had taken her in for an emergency trip to the vet, they had told me that the kit was huge. Also, she doesn't appear to have any issues. Her fecal test went well, etc. No blood in the feces. Still, I am not assured that all is going too well. The bleeding continues, and in fact, today the pools of blood were larger. At times, I do notice that it appears as if she's having weak contractions. Also, her stomach seems to be lumpy, squishy, and hard all at once in various of areas near her lower region. All signs are pointing to a miscarriage, from the little that I know. She hasn't been eating as much, either. Usually she'd dash and pounce when her bowl had moved in even the slightest bit. But now? She slowly stalks over, or continues to lay there. Her bowl would be licked clean as if she were grooming it and not herself. Now, there's always a ton of leftovers. At times, just a bit. That is very unusual of her. I've had her for a total or two months, she was a stray that I had been caring for outside. She's never displayed such a behaviour. Eating is one of her top priorities.. Or at least was. Finally, she sometimes has an incredibly foul odor from either her anus or vaginal area. It smells as if one had left eggs to rot. Her waste appears to be fine, and have a 'normal' scent. The smells can be frequent at times. I'm greatly concerned. Today I will be calling yet another vet for a second opini I need on the matter. Any help would be appreciated, thank you.
Sounds serious.  If she were a human woman, it would be easy.  Cesarean immediately.  With cats the advice is more difficult, because kittens dont manage well premature deliveries. Thus, cesarean more than one or two days ealry - practically dooms the kitten.  so we usually recommend to observe, but wait patiently.

Yet, here the moms life may be in serious danger.   I think I shall for once recommend cesarean as soon as possible.

Good you vill ask another vet.    Does the first vet discuss cesarean at all?  He seems to treat it conservatively.

Last not least.  You sure its living blood?  Not just reddish / brownish discharges?  brownish discharges are common.

And the bad smell MAY be from  - sorry, forge the english names - these things immediately aside of anus, whom got inflammed sometimes...

How is her temperature? raised??
 
Last edited:

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
26,074
Purraise
10,777
Location
Sweden
ps. That cesarean will also include spaying, taking out the infected and inflammed vomb etc.  Which is standard in such infection situations...   Discuss it with the vets anyways.

The self fact of just one kitten doesnt need to give extra medical complications.  Though.
 

talkingpeanut

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Oct 12, 2015
Messages
11,793
Purraise
3,600
I'm not understanding, why does the vet think this is fine? You definitely need to see another vet!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

halliethekitten

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Messages
57
Purraise
26
Sounds serious.  If she were a human woman, it would be easy.  Cesarean immediately.  With cats the advice is more difficult, because kittens dont manage well premature deliveries. Thus, cesarean more than one or two days ealry - practically dooms the kitten.  so we usually recommend to observe, but wait patiently.

Yet, here the moms life may be in serious danger.   I think I shall for once recommend cesarean as soon as possible.
Good you vill ask another vet.    Does the first vet discuss cesarean at all?  He seems to treat it conservatively.


Last not least.  You sure its living blood?  Not just reddish / brownish discharges?  brownish discharges are common.
And the bad smell MAY be from  - sorry, forge the english names - these things immediately aside of anus, whom got inflammed sometimes...

How is her temperature? raised??

She has pure red blood dripping from her just about everyday. I do have a few photos on my other device. When it dries up, as all blood, it does become brown. At times there are a few gushy red and brown particles in the blood. The vet that I had visited said that she may need a c-section if she isn't able to deliver. He didn't go so much in depth. As for temperature.. I haven't checked. Perhaps I may be able to get the new vet that I'll be contacting to do so. I'd worry that I may be doing something incorrectly, or that she's in discomfort. The baby is fully developed inside her. Also, the smells are really strong. They travel around the room sometimes.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6

halliethekitten

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Messages
57
Purraise
26
I'm not understanding, why does the vet think this is fine? You definitely need to see another vet!
Me too! From all the research that I've done, things seem to be going downhill for my dear Hallie. I will be contacting another vet today. Hopefully they allow for emergency visits.
 

talkingpeanut

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Oct 12, 2015
Messages
11,793
Purraise
3,600
Me too! From all the research that I've done, things seem to be going downhill for my dear Hallie. I will be contacting another vet today. Hopefully they allow for emergency visits.
Yes, make it clear that this is an emergency. I would be calling all the vets in my area. How long has this been going on?
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #8

halliethekitten

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Messages
57
Purraise
26
Yes, make it clear that this is an emergency. I would be calling all the vets in my area. How long has this been going on?
This has been going on for about a week and perhaps a few days. Quite awhile, isn't it? I'm so worried for her and her kit. I truly do hope that all goes well.. although I doubt it will.
 

Sarthur2

Cat lady extraordinaire
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
36,060
Purraise
17,823
Location
Sunny Florida
H halliethekitten

She needs an emergency c-section as she is unable to birth her kitten. Red blood is always a dangerous sign. I doubt her kitten is alive at this point. I'm so sorry you were not given better advice by your vet.

Please get her to an emergency vet right away, and let us know the outcome.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #10

halliethekitten

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Messages
57
Purraise
26
H halliethekitten

She needs an emergency c-section as she is unable to birth her kitten. Red blood is always a dangerous sign. I doubt her kitten is alive at this point. I'm so sorry you were not given better advice by your vet.

Please get her to an emergency vet right away, and let us know the outcome.
Unfortunately, I won't be able to bring her in until another few hours. There's no way for me to get to one until then. I was cautious and confused as to why that vet had told me it was normal. I don't think I'll be returning to that vet.. I'll be sure to inform you all of the outcome. Thank you for your help and concern.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #11

halliethekitten

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Messages
57
Purraise
26
UPDATE 1:

We've visited another vet. She had given me much information.. All good. Yes, the bleeding is abnormal. Though, all tests of hers have absolutely perfect/great results for a pregnant kitty. Her fleas appear to be gone. The baby has a strong and consistent normal and healthy heartbeat. There appears to be no issues with either one. She will be due any day now, and they estimated it to be around the next week or so. I will keep you all informed of how things are going!
 

Sarthur2

Cat lady extraordinaire
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
36,060
Purraise
17,823
Location
Sunny Florida
I'm pleased to hear that the kitten she is carrying is healthy, and hope your cat will be able to deliver it at full term with no issues. Also glad you have chosen a new vet. I have to think that perhaps your cat has been miscarrying another fetus that perhaps stopped developing. Good luck, and we will look forward to your next update! [emoji]128522[/emoji]
 

raina21

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Feb 9, 2016
Messages
995
Purraise
682
That's great news! So happy that the kitten is alive and well!

Did the vet say what was causing the bleeding?
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #15

halliethekitten

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Messages
57
Purraise
26
That's great news! So happy that the kitten is alive and well!

Did the vet say what was causing the bleeding?
Not exactly.. The issue persists. She had said that everything appears to be well, and such shouldn't be happening. It's clearly abnormal, but they aren't able to find the cause of it other than it being her pregnancy. I'm still concerned, though slightly less so. I suppose if I've visited 2 vets (some of the best), the others wouldn't be able to do much, either. I just hope that it comes to a halt soon.
 

Sarthur2

Cat lady extraordinaire
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
36,060
Purraise
17,823
Location
Sunny Florida
H halliethekitten

Did the vet perform an x-ray or ultrasound to check on the development of the kitten? If so, is the kitten ready to be born, or is it still developing?

I ask because the continued bleeding is not normal, and it sounds like mom needs a c-section to stop the bleeding and save mom and kitten.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #17

halliethekitten

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Messages
57
Purraise
26
H halliethekitten

Did the vet perform an x-ray or ultrasound to check on the development of the kitten? If so, is the kitten ready to be born, or is it still developing?

I ask because the continued bleeding is not normal, and it sounds like mom needs a c-section to stop the bleeding and save mom and kitten.
I've gotten both done, actually. The baby is already fully developed. Huge, you can see all of it's bones. I'm still troubled over the bleeding.. It is abnormal. Though according to them, I'd only need to do such if she's having trouble getting the baby out of the birth canal. Which will most likely happen, seeing as Hallie is a small kitten herself.
 

Sarthur2

Cat lady extraordinaire
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
36,060
Purraise
17,823
Location
Sunny Florida
H halliethekitten

It sounds to me like the kitten needs to be born. This would require a c-section.

I think waiting on your cat to deliver normally is very risky, especially since she's been bleeding for days.

I suggest you ask the vet to do a c-section while the baby is still healthy and mom is not in total distress.

This could have a less than desirable outcome if you wait it out. Kittens that get stuck in birth canals due to problems frequently do not survive. I'd hate to see that happen.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #19

halliethekitten

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Messages
57
Purraise
26
H halliethekitten

It sounds to me like the kitten needs to be born. This would require a c-section.

I think waiting on your cat to deliver normally is very risky, especially since she's been bleeding for days.

I suggest you ask the vet to do a c-section while the baby is still healthy and mom is not in total distress.

This could have a less than desirable outcome if you wait it out. Kittens that get stuck in birth canals due to problems frequently do not survive. I'd hate to see that happen.
The vet told me she was about 65 days (an estimation, for we aren't 100% positive). I'm unsure how to go about this. I've scheduled for an appointment on Friday to check on her kitten once more. What if they don't allow for it? Would the c-section harm Hallie or the baby? Would she be able to successfully nurse it while under all of that great pain? Your insight would be of tremendous help to me.
 
Last edited:

Sarthur2

Cat lady extraordinaire
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
36,060
Purraise
17,823
Location
Sunny Florida
I suggest you call and ask about a c-section tomorrow. The vet may suggest it Friday anyway. I think going into the weekend without taking care of this is risky.

During a c-section, an incision is made to remove the kitten from the uterus. The mom is anesthetized. A spay can be performed at the same time so that another surgery is unnecessary. Mom will have stitches, and be given pain meds, but will still be able to nurse.

Having kitten formula and a small, needleless syringe on hand is advised, in case the kitten needs supplementing at any time.
 
Top