My cat gave birth last night..

Hey all.

So I just joined here because my cat gave birth last night and everything seemed to be going smoothly, she was caring for the kittens, she cut all of their cords and ate the placentas. Except this morning I noticed her vulva looked puffy and red, but assumed it was just swollen be a use she just pushed 5 kitty's out of there. Except the more I look at it, and the more I have been on google, the more concerned I am that something isn't right. I have never had a pregnant cat before, so I didn't really know what to expect.

I just want to know if this is normal or if I should take her to the vet. I don't have a lot of cash right now so I would rather not go to the vet nut I will if needed.

Welcome. Would you be able to add a photo?

talkingpeanut said:

Welcome. Would you be able to add a photo?

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Yeah I can here is what it looks like right now.

It's hard to tell from the picture, but cat's bittoms can be sore just like a human mom's after a vaginal birth. Cats even spot for up to a week after as well.

I would hold a warm, damp cloth on it like a compress to see if it reduces the swelling and gives relief. My guess is that it will heal on its own.

If it's not better in 2-3 days, see a vet. If it gets worse, see a vet immediately.

Keep us posted on it.

sarthur2 said:

It's hard to tell from the picture, but cat's bittoms can be sore just like a human mom's after a vaginal birth. Cats even spot for up to a week after as well.

I would hold a warm, damp cloth on it like a compress to see if it reduces the swelling and gives relief. My guess is that it will heal on its own.

If it's not better in 2-3 days, see a vet. If it gets worse, see a vet immediately.

Keep us posted on it.

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Thanks so much I will keep you all posted

Hi all! My cat gave birth a week ago to 5 kittens, unfortunately one of them died a few days ago. I think it was the runt of the litter as it was always off to the side and was very small. The other four kittens seem to be doing great.

My question is, my cat started meowing today, like a lot. She went over the thw cage wjere her kittens were and she looked at me and started meowing. She's been meowing at me all day and will only stop if I pay attention to her, I had to sit with her for a bit to get her to nurse her kittens earlier. It was weird, she's a talkative cat but never this talkative. She also seemed to be pretty confused when she first started meowing at me, she would go and lick her kittens aND meow.

I'm just wondering if she is maybe looking for the kitten that died? Or if she could be going back into heat already? She seems in good health otherwise aside from the meowing & the fact that she's been sneezing a lot. (The mucus is clear when she sneezes by the way)

Oh also the whites of her eyes have been showing more than usual.

I'm just wondering if all of these symptoms together sounds like something pressing, since I will only be able to take her to the vet next week when I get paid.

ashleeyhope said:

Hi all! My cat gave birth a week ago to 5 kittens, unfortunately one of them died a few days ago. I think it was the runt of the litter as it was always off to the side and was very small. The other four kittens seem to be doing great.

My question is, my cat started meowing today, like a lot. She went over the thw cage wjere her kittens were and she looked at me and started meowing. She's been meowing at me all day and will only stop if I pay attention to her, I had to sit with her for a bit to get her to nurse her kittens earlier. It was weird, she's a talkative cat but never this talkative. She also seemed to be pretty confused when she first started meowing at me, she would go and lick her kittens aND meow.

I'm just wondering if she is maybe looking for the kitten that died? Or if she could be going back into heat already? She seems in good health otherwise aside from the meowing & the fact that she's been sneezing a lot. (The mucus is clear when she sneezes by the way)

Oh also the whites of her eyes have been showing more than usual.

I'm just wondering if all of these symptoms together sounds like something pressing, since I will only be able to take her to the vet next week when I get paid.

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Difficult. But I do think she wants something, wants you to step in in some way, not just being an extra nanny.

Perhaps she hasnt enough with milk to give them?  The best way to know is to weigh them every day at the same time and circumstances, and see if they add 10+g a day.  You can perhaps lend a postal or a kitchen scale from some neighbour?

She has probably a cold, its both sneezing and this third eyelid showing this.  Of home preparates, L-lysine could help.  It helps at least against some types of cold-virus - especially the herpes, I think.

How are her teats looking?  If they got inflammed it will hurt her...

Nay, she isnt missing the one whom died. She surely knows and choosed to try to get the others survive.  Its really an impossible choice, but cats do it.

The trick to try in such cases, if it ever happens to you again,  is if you the owner step in and supplement feed the runt of the litter.  sometimes its possible to save them of the owner or caretaker fights vigorously enough.

Re visit to the vet - perhaps your vet gets free advices on the phone?

If you clearly see something is wrong and you need the vets exeamination, its one thing.  But if you truly think its "just" a cold, it may be better to get advices on phone.  Going to vet now, when the kittens are small and defenceless, practically without own immunity,  increases the risks for them.

A ashleeyhope

Yes, L-lysine is a good supplement for the immune system. She sounds like she is getting a cold. If she gets worse you'll want to get an antibiotic for her, as the kittens may catch it too. If they catch it, they will need an antibiotic asap.

Are you feeding mom as much wet food as she wants? Does she have access to dry kitten chow 24/7? She needs it while nursing.

It sounds to me like your cat may want you to move the kittens to a different nest and/or location. She may be happier in a darker, more private place like a bedroom closet with the door ajar. Even when there are no predators, cats still prefer private spaces for their kittens.

Can you try moving the kittens to a new place away from the crate to see if that helps mom to settle down?

Let us know how that goes.

So this morning when I woke up she had moved the kittens into a bag I had on the floor in my bedroom, and she's stopped meowing since then. I guess she just didn't like the cage since it was open and there might have been too much light. I'm going to leave them in the bag for now as it is really large and I don't want her to get upset again.

As for her cold, her kittens started sneezing this morning too so I'm taking them all to the vet later just to be safe.

As I thought, mom wanted to move the kittens. I'm worried about the kittens being in a bag though. It could be dangerous. Did you see my suggestion above about a nest in a closet?

Or even a box closed up but with a door cut for mom to enter and exit. She clearly wants more privacy.

I'm sorry to hear the kittens are sneezing, but glad you are seeing the vet. Let us know what the vet says!