Malposition usually occurs when a kitten has died in utero prior to rotation. It is uncommon except in cases of illness, infection or prolonged delay in a late-coming foetus. The presence of a dead foetus within the maternal pelvic canal can, in itself, result in functional or obstructive dystocia.
Malposture is of most importance in relation to the position of the head. Brachycephalic cats may have difficulty at the point where the foetal head first engages the opening of the maternal pelvis.
The lack of a wedge-shaped muzzle increases the risk of the head becoming deflected to one side, downwards between the forelegs, or onto the chest. Occasionally, one or both forelegs may lie back along the body, and in posterior or tail-first presentation one or both hind legs may be retained forwards alongside the body to give the breech posture. All of these situations may give rise to either a temporary delay and necessitate extra efforts by the cat or, at worst, result in complete obstruction.
A late manifestation of inhibitory hysterical behaviour may cause delay when the kitten is already through the maternal pelvis and protruding through the vulva. This may cause some pain, so at this point, the cat appears to give up trying and waits for, or demands, help.
If this is not immediately forthcoming, the particular kitten involved may die, especially if it is coming tail first. The above was a rather daunting, but by no means exhaustive, list of what can, but rarely does, go wrong. Breeders or owners may want to know what can be done to recognise trouble early and how it can be avoided or overcome.
It cannot be too firmly stressed that a normal cat needs no intervention. The good midwife is essentially a good and unobtrusive observer until trouble occurs.
Midwives should have provided, as far as possible, the ideal kittening bed which should be warm, comfortable and safe, but should also be observable, ie, a happy medium between confinement and relative freedom within the confined area. During the first stage of labour, they may need to provide either moral support or remain unobtrusive as dictated by events. They should have at their fingertips a history of any previous births by the cat in question and, if possible, information relating to earlier generations and related animals.
They should have observed the changes during pregnancy and be aware of the degree of abdominal distension, amount of fluid, and perhaps have a rough idea of the number of kittens to be expected. Facilities for help or examination should be at hand if needed convenient table, access to running warm water, soap and towel. An internal examination is resented by most unsedated cats and should not be undertaken by the unskilled. If problems are anticipated the veterinary surgeon should have been alerted and given the probable parturition date before the event and informed of the start of labour so that if a call for help becomes necessary it is expected and can be promptly answered.
Apart from the value of observations and knowledge of the behaviour of the cat, breeders can, and in some cases must, be responsible for the treatment of some parturition problems. The secret, if there is one, of the recognition of trouble lies mainly in the recognition of delay. The hysterical dependent cat is obvious enough and easy enough to deal with, provided the necessary tranquilliser is at hand. Identification of delays later in the course of kittening will again involve observation of behaviour.
In the case of the normal interrupted labour, it will be evident that the cat is in no distress, has a normal appetite and is perfectly happy with the kittens already born. Straining in the course of a normal parturition, while it may or may not be vigorous, is clearly productive in moving the kitten along and does not appear to give rise to pain. Obstruction, on the other hand, shows as a cat that strains without producing any results, may pant, cry, or appear exhausted, is restless and unsettled, and finally desists in an attempt to recover sufficient strength for a further, although decreased effort.
This is the cat that requires help. Feeling from the outside around the perineal area under the tail will indicate if a kitten is already through the pelvis, and a view of nose or feet and tail at the vulva indicates that birth must be imminent if the kitten is to live. If no progress is being made and the kitten is clearly visible, it is up to the breeder to give immediate help since, unless the veterinary surgeon literally lives on the premises, veterinary help may not arrive in time for that particular kitten.
If nothing can be felt at the vulva and the hold-up is evidently further forward, then it is time to send for professional help. Diagnosis and treatment of the serious dystocia must be in the hands of the veterinary surgeon. Because of the small size of the cat, manipulative correction of malpostures from within the vagina is rarely possible and is, in any case, a job for skilled hands.
To compensate for this, manipulation from outside the abdomen can often correct a malposture such as a laterally deflected head; again professional skill is needed. Often, in any real hold-up, a Caesarian operation is the preferred method and provided that the cat is neither desperately ill nor very exhausted, it is a safe and routine procedure.
The case where the breeder has to help is that of the cat who gives up trying with a kitten hanging visibly from her vulva. If it is coming head first, the first urgency is to clear the membranes away from its nose and mouth to allow breathing to take place. The kitten must then be eased gently out, alternating the direction of traction, first freeing one side then the other, and always directing the pull slightly downwards. Since kittens are slippery and wet at birth, clean pieces of towelling or soft paper towels may help to get a grip.
If the kitten has only the tail and hind-legs showing, delivery is even more urgent and the problem of holding the slippery subject more difficult, but the same principle applies. Pull and traction are probably misleading words to use here to convey the sensitivity required to co-operate with the cat as she strains and rests momentarily in between, so that progress continues without fear of injury to cat or kitten.
Make haste slowly. Immediately the kitten is out, clear the mouth and nose of all membranes and fluid. The normal mother cat will generally make a much better job of cleaning and drying her kittens than any human, so do not interfere unless necessary.
If, however, a kitten has had to be helped out and is not breathing, or on those few occasions when the maternal instinct appears to be lacking and the kitten is ignored, reviving it becomes a matter of urgency. If this is not sufficient, a vigorous licking massage of this area follows.
Finally, a more general drying lick and some attention to the posterior part of the abdomen and anal area is given to start the bowel and bladder movement going.
Then, if it is needed, a nudge towards the maternal nipples. The human imitation can follow much the same plan with additions in a real emergency. If in doubt persist with stimulating the kitten; some can still be revived over 30 mins from birth.
That said, the longer the duration before breathing, the higher the risk of hypoxia causing brain damage or blindness. Warmth is a primary essential for the newborn.
If you would like to know how to tell if a cat is pregnant yourself, there are several physical signs that you should be able to spot after two or three weeks have passed. Although your cat should be more than capable of handling labour herself, make sure that you are prepared as she approaches the end of her term. There are some signs however, such as discoloured discharge and mum straining without producing kittens, which could suggest complications. If you notice either of these or have any other concerns, contact your vet.
See our guide on labour and giving birth for more information on cats giving birth. We believe people and pets are 'Better Together'. Our programme promises to support you through every stage of your journey.
Next article. Cat Labour and Giving Birth. Cat Pregnancy. Related topics. Our experts are here to help you. What to Feed a Pregnant Cat Pregnant cats have different nutritional needs. Feed a High-Calorie Cat Food Pregnant cats should be transitioned to a higher-calorie diet at four weeks of gestation.
The best cat foods are: Commercial diets labeled for pregnancy and lactation Commercial diets labeled for kittens Provide Frequent Meals Pregnant and lactating cats have a much higher metabolic demand associated with growing, birthing, and feeding kittens, so these diets can help ensure sufficient nutrition. Health and Safety Considerations for Pregnant Cats Once a cat is confirmed to be pregnant, there are a few things that a pet parent needs to be aware of and consider.
Watch for Vaginal Bleeding Vaginal bleeding is abnormal during any feline pregnancy and should be a cause for concern. No Vaccines for Pregnant Cats In addition, cats should never be vaccinated during pregnancy. How to Make Your Cat Comfortable for Giving Birth Pregnant cats are very independent and will usually find their own quiet area to nest before giving birth. Stages of Cat Labor There are three stages of labor in cats. First Stage of Labor: Contractions and Restlessness The first stage is defined as cervix relaxation and the start of intermittent contractions.
Second Stage of Labor: Birth The second stage of labor in cats begins with stronger, more frequent uterine contractions that eventually lead to the birth of a kitten. Watch for Complications Dystocia means difficult birth and can occur for a variety of reasons.
Third Stage of Labor: Afterbirth The third—and final—stage of labor is the passage of the placenta. Postpartum Care Once your cat has given birth, the real work begins. Continue Feeding a High-Calorie Diet Your cat should be kept on a higher calorie pregnancy or kitten diet for as long as she is lactating nursing her kittens. Keep the Area Private and Quiet The mother and her kittens should be kept in a quiet, low-traffic area of the house.
Monitor Nursing and Lactation Colostrum is the first milk that the mother cat produces for her kittens. Avoid giving medications and vaccines while your cat is nursing. Contact your vet if you your cat does any of the following: Stops eating Vomits Becomes very lethargic weak and tired Has redness and swelling in any of her mammary glands Keep Male Cats Separate From Your Female Cat After She Gives Birth If your female cat is around a male cat that is not neutered, she could become pregnant again before she is even done weaning her current litter.
Consider Spaying and Neutering According to the ASPCA , a cat can have an average of four to six kittens per litter, and can have one to two litters per year. Limit Handling Them During the First Weeks Although you may want to pet and hold the kittens constantly, do not intervene too much in the first week or two of their lives. Keep The Nest Area Warm Kittens are unable to regulate their own body temperature until they are 3 to 4 weeks old. Discuss Medical Care With Your Veterinarian You should also contact your veterinarian to ask when the kittens should first be examined.
Start the Weaning Process at 3 to 4 Weeks Once the kittens are 3 to 4 weeks old, you can begin the weaning process by giving them access to kitten food. Sources: 1. Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? Yes No. Share this article. What did you find helpful?
What was not helpful? Say more Sign me up for the PetMD Newsletter. Submit Feedback. Still have questions? Continue to Chewy. Connect With a Vet Experienced vets answer all your pet questions via chat or video. A check-in with the foster team and the veterinary partner could also determine whether a cat has additional health issues causing similar signs of pregnancy. Three weeks into gestation may be the first time that physical cat pregnancy symptoms become visible.
Behavioral changes begin as early as two weeks into pregnancy. As a cat foster parent, being prepared to support her for the remainder of the cat pregnancy length and helping to retain her body condition, weight, and energy level is a priority and requires careful monitoring as her gestation matures week-to-week.
Caring for a pregnant cat through a healthy, safe delivery and then onto a new home begins with a high- calorie diet that will keep her looking and feeling good, while also ensuring her kittens are given the best start in life. Dry kitten food is higher in calories than wet food and provides cat mothers with good quality nutrition that she passes onto her litter during weaning. There are Overpopulation is cited as one of the biggest problems in shelters, and adoption, spaying or neutering considered the most effective way to minimize homelessness amongst cats.
Since cats can conceive as young as four months, the ASPCA recommends spaying or neutering by five months. As a foster pet parent caring for a pregnant cat, consult with your shelter and rescue group team about when to sterilize felines.
While some veterinarians prefer spaying after weaning in 6 to 8 weeks if she can be quarantined indoors during that time, every team will have a recommendation on a procedure to prevent further unwanted pregnancy. Learn more about fostering cats from experts.
0コメント