Umbilical cord wrapped around kitten's leg. I need advice.

[adrianne davis]

My cat had a litter of kittens four days ago. She is a first time mother. I stayed awake until 4 in the morning checking on her, and she delivered all four kittens fine. I awoke a few hours later, and they again seemed fine. When I checked on them the next time, I noticed they were tangled in their umbilical cords. I was able to untangle them, and cut the cords. Unfortunately, one of the kittens, Sushine, had her foot wrapped up a bit too long or maybe too tightly, and she's lost use of her right hind foot. It's dead, cold, and limp. There is a small wound, and I've been keeping it clean with peroxide and will begin applying Neosporin tomorrow after I purchase some. She's doing great, she's actually the most active of the four. As far as taking her to a vet goes, I will do my best. Funds are limited. Very, very limited. I just want to know if anyone has dealt with this before, and has any advice of what to do in the mean time. Bit (mamma kitty) was chewing at Sunshine's foot this evening. We've already decided that we are keeping Sunshine, without a doubt. And Bit will be spayed as soon as the kittens are weaned and given away. I wasn't aware she was old enough to get pregnant, she definitely got pregnant her first heat cycle. Any advice would be MUCH appreciated, or stories, or someone with ANY experience dealing with this.

I hope that I am able to take her to the vet, but like I said, I'm extremely strapped for cash. I love these kittens, and if I am able I will absolutely have her seen by a vet.

 

[missymotus]

Sorry but a vet will be needed, raising kittens is very expensive even when all goes right.

The cords should have been dealt with at birth. Mum can be spayed at 8-10 weeks, before you adopt out the kittens at 12 weeks, she will likely call again before that too so ensure she stays in or she'll get pregnant again. Better yet, get the kittens fixed at the same time as mum so the cycle can't continue.

I only know one person who had this issue and kitty needed the leg amputated. 

 

[emilymaywilcha]

Actually, kittens don't need to stay with the mom that long. Twelve weeks might be ideal, but nothing bad will happen if they are sepeated at 8 weeks. I do agree with Missy the mom must always stay inside while she is nursing the kittens and they should be sterilized at eight weeks.

 

[jennyr]

AS far as the leg is concerned, sadly she will need a vet as soon as possible, as gangrene could set in if there is no blood circulation in it. The mother is chewing on it because she senses that there is something seriously wrong with it. So please do all you can to get her there.

AS for neutering, there are very few vets who will spay a female kitten as young as 8 weeks - it is different for males. In some places vets will not do it before 6 months, which IMO is a bit extreme the other way! But you will have to go with what your own vet prefers to do. Eight weeks is also a bit young to leave the mother unless there are overwhelming reasons for it to happen - every week the kitten can stay with mama up to 12 weeks increases the chances of it growing up healthy, happy and well socialised, and good professional breeders will not sell a kitten before that time.

 

[missymotus]

Actually, kittens don't need to stay with the mom that long. Twelve weeks might be ideal, but nothing bad will happen if they are sepeated at 8 weeks.

Actually they make much better pets being with their mother for 12 weeks, would add some links for you if I wasn't posting from my phone
Registered breeders aren't even allowed to place kittens before 12 weeks, so why would it be okay for moggies?

 

[reekajane]

If anyone reads this old post, I want to share an amazing infection fighter. Newborns with their paper thin skin, who are injured develop infection & sepsis so quickly. Even injectable antibiotics can’t always help. I had a young Tom get ahold of a litter, as they were being born. I didn’t think he was a danger, he hadn’t even started spraying yet. Well, he did kill one and badly injured 3 others. One was partially scalped... So, I immediately went into vet tech mode. The absolute, hands down best topical antibiotic is probably in your pantry. It is honey. It does not need to be medical grade honey, that is just a ploy to make people pay more for honey. This is a fact, honey & sugar are hydrophilic (water loving). When applied to a wound, water is pulled out, via osmosis, of bacteria, viruses, & fungi. And it leaves these infectious organisms destroyed, dead. Honey has a couple extra healing properties and is my first choice, but sugar will work too. My one kitten didn’t quite have even ears, but quickly healed. Sometimes mama cats will help deliver babies and pull the babies out with their mouth and accidentally pierce skin. Use honey on these little wounds. It is literally a life saver

 

[StefanZ]

If anyone reads this old post, I want to share an amazing infection fighter. Newborns with their paper thin skin, who are injured develop infection & sepsis so quickly. Even injectable antibiotics can’t always help. I had a young Tom get ahold of a litter, as they were being born. I didn’t think he was a danger, he hadn’t even started spraying yet. Well, he did kill one and badly injured 3 others. One was partially scalped... So, I immediately went into vet tech mode. The absolute, hands down best topical antibiotic is probably in your pantry. It is honey. It does not need to be medical grade honey, that is just a ploy to make people pay more for honey. This is a fact, honey & sugar are hydrophilic (water loving). When applied to a wound, water is pulled out, via osmosis, of bacteria, viruses, & fungi. And it leaves these infectious organisms destroyed, dead. Honey has a couple extra healing properties and is my first choice, but sugar will work too. My one kitten didn’t quite have even ears, but quickly healed. Sometimes mama cats will help deliver babies and pull the babies out with their mouth and accidentally pierce skin. Use honey on these little wounds. It is literally a life saver

This is an fantastic fine tip on a working, perfectly safe home remedy for any wounds and many skin irritations. As you say, it works through osmosis. In the same way you can conserve things in honey.

This especielly, if we take such a wounded little kitten to a vet, they often dont do much. They tell it will heal by itself... And it often does if the wounds arent life threatening.
To have a perfectly harmless remedy to put on, is a great help.
Also, if momma licks it off, nothing happens. The only little problem is, its sticky and leaves sticky traces everywhere...

Raw honey - ie in practice honey made by small local producents, has some extra antibiotical properties helping with healing useful sometimes. But as you say, its just extras, they arent necessary for the quick remedy as such.

Tx reekajane very much for the tip!!!


Re the assault... Yes such things may happen. Usually if its a tom new to the territory, whom is coming and conquering. As lejons may, so can house cats. Toms whom are friends with momma are seldom an active threat.
But the wise one superwises always, esp in the beginning till you see they are friends. Esp if momma isnt happy with the presence.

There is yet another danger. Many adult cats are afraid of small kittens. They dont know what it is. As long as they hiss some and run away, its no big problem. But if they swipe with a sharp paw in defence, or worse, go into a preventive attack... Gosh. So, always beware unless you plainly see its a very friendly cat and momma is happy with the situation. If in any doubt - do separate. Always. Momma and kittens must be protected.