Hey Momma - the time is nearing

jenlag

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I'm starting this thread for Hey Momma.  It's what I've always called her.  She had a litter on the other side of my back yard fence last year and I trapped her about 7 weeks ago with the intent of having her spayed, but she was already pregnant.  She has been in the house since.

I got home from work just a bit ago and the kids said she had a major contraction and was panting.  By the time I saw her, she was breathing very fast, eyeballs wide open.  I checked and she does have milk, but she didn't have milk yesterday.  The fast breathing has finally subsided and she is resting now.

For those of you more experienced, is this a normal precursor to labor?  Any idea how far in advance this could be happening prior to delivery?  
 

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Stage one labor can last up to 24 hours. She may be in early labor or she may have experienced a pre-labor contraction.
 
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jenlag

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Excellent, thank you! We normally never go out on the weekends, but actually have tickets to an event tonight.  The irony.
 
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jenlag

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Okay so last week was prelabor for sure.  I just woke up to a screaming kitten.  3 born: 2 alive, one still born (presumably).  Do I take the dead cold kitten away now?  
 
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jenlag

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I had woke up to three, but in the time it took to go pee, she birthed another one.  It's been probably 10 minutes and she hasn't really cleaned it and hasn't touched the placenta.  I wiped its face and it is actually trying to latch on and nurse.

There is a little black one.  He is the most vocal and cannot latch on, he is all over the place.  I have tried helping him latch on, but it is as though his mouth will not open.    Any advice on what to do with this guy?  

Also, as she is apparently still in active labor, should I move the two active ones so she can clean up this 3rd live one?
 

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Just leave things be for now. Leave the stillborn too. You can try warming up the stillborn by rubbing vigorously in a towel.
 
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Is mom still laboring now? Or are the kittens beginning to latch snd nurse?
 
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jenlag

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I already removed the still born.  She had it far away from her and the birthing area. I also put a heating pad close to them. The little white one had been staying latched on but shivering and cold to the touch.
 

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Heating pad set on low under the blanket is perfect!

Have they all latched yet?

How many are there now?
 
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There are still 3 live. I think she may be done. I must say, whoever suggested the puppy pads in layered towels was genius! Just need to get the top layer off. Think the wetness is why little white guy is staying cold.

 

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Just slowly pull it out. Mama will adjust. Heating pad only needs to be under one layer. Has the baby warmed up yet?
 
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Yes all are warm. I got the top layer of wet towels and puppy pads out. I think that alone has helped. Heating pad is under one layer of towel on 'warm', which is a step below 'low'. Momma has come out to eat some wet food, but primarily just licked up the gravy. I weighed all three and each are in the 120-125g weight range. She did growl at me removing one to weigh it and tried snatching it back from me, so instinctually, she is doing well there too. Think all is good for the time, thanks so much for being here!
 

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Weights are good, and warm or low is excellent. All sounds well.

Mom will eat more later. The placentas have her full for now! [emoji]128522[/emoji]
 
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I had cooked a bone marrow broth for myself a few weeks ago.  But the smell it started emitting after 24 hours of cooking was beyond awful and I haven't brought myself to drink any. I proceeded to finish the cooking, cool it and freeze the gelatin.  I just defrosted 4 ounces and she quickly lapped up half of it.  Any thoughts as to whether this is okay to give to her and whether it is beneficial?
 
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Concerned!!!  Hey Momma has been panting for the last 30 or so minutes, just a steady fast breathing.  She is laying down and kittens are nursing.  I touch her and she is also running her little purr motor.  I felt her side and it almost feels as though she could still have another kitten inside of her.  It's just a lump though, no movement.

Is it possible there is another unborn kitten?  Last one was born around 6:20am CST (5 hours ago).  

Or would this be a concern of something else?
 
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Should this be concerning?

 

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jenlag jenlag

Her body is working hard to keep up with the demands. She needs extra calcium. The nursing is a big drain on the body.

Do you have KMR? Give her a dish now, and each day going forward. It usually helps with the panting, which should lessen with calcium and time.

The bone broth is excellent!

Cats feel "lumpy" after delivery until the uterus shrinks down. If she has another kitten still, it will come in due time.
 
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jenlag

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@jenlag

Her body is working hard to keep up with the demands. She needs extra calcium. The nursing is a big drain on the body.

Do you have KMR? Give her a dish now, and each day going forward. It usually helps with the panting, which should lessen with calcium and time.

The bone broth is excellent!

Cats feel "lumpy" after delivery until the uterus shrinks down. If she has another kitten still, it will come in due time.
I was so paranoid that the bone broth was causing her to have some sort of metabolic reaction!  Yikes.  

I do not have any KMR, but will go get some now.  Is there a particular brand and type (liquid/powder) that I should look for and/or avoid?  Also, when you say a dish? Approximately how much in ounces, 2-3?  Figure I'll do the math and purchase in bulk now.  
 

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Get a can of powdered kitten milk replacer (KMR) by PetAg, or Royal Canin, or GNC. Do NOT buy Hartz.

The can has instructions for pregnant/lactating queens per body weight. The powder can be mixed into wet food. I prefer mixing it a cup at a time as milk, and letting the cat have at it - about 1/3 to 1/2 cup per day. Too much can cause diarrhea.
 
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