Prolonged labor in a cat, what it is and how to help

The period of pregnancy and childbirth in domestic animals, in this case cats, is a process that occurs in natural conditions, without human intervention.
But there are also exceptions. For example, if a cat has caught an infection, gives birth for the first time, or there are dead kittens in the litter. In such cases, the question “how to help a cat give birth” is natural. Here, of course, you cannot do without the help of the owner and the veterinarian, but how do you understand that the animal needs help and what needs to be done in such cases? Let's figure it out together.

The cat should give birth mainly at home

If a cat’s pregnancy proceeded calmly, smoothly, without complications, then she should give birth without any problems. The main thing is not to be nervous, as the animal easily picks up the mood and vibrations emanating from the owner and also begins to noticeably worry, which can lead to problems during childbirth.

The cat should give birth primarily at home. This is preceded by two reasons at once - a feeling of calm and safety in one’s native territory and a low risk of contracting a bacterial infection.

If a cat’s pregnancy is difficult and with pathological processes, this is also not a death sentence for her giving birth in a veterinary clinic. The owner just needs to take the cat to an appointment in advance so that the veterinarian carefully examines the animal and is aware of possible problems that appear during childbirth. It is worth noting that this should not be an ordinary therapist, but a veterinary obstetrician.

If the animal has health problems, doctors recommend a cesarean section.

If the owner doubts his abilities and is afraid to help the cat get wet, then it is better to leave her at the clinic, where veterinarians will look after her around the clock. This is especially true if the animal has heart or respiratory problems. As a rule, for such diseases, doctors recommend a cesarean section, and a little later sterilization.

How does childbirth occur in cats?

Cats bear offspring for approximately 2.5 months. During one birth, 1-2 kittens are born, as well as 6-7. The process itself takes several hours and consists of several stages. If you are helping your cat give birth, then you need to know how everything usually goes:

• pushing – kittens pass through the birth canal in 4-5 pushing;
• birth - kittens come out in the amniotic sac, less often without it;
• starting breathing - the cat breaks the bubble and licks the born kitten, removing mucus from the respiratory tract;
• rupture of the umbilical cord, eating the placenta - after the kittens, an afterbirth (placenta) comes out, which the cat eats. As many babies are born, so many placens should come out.

Human assistance may be required at each stage of the birth of kittens. When all the babies have come out, all the amniotic sacs have been ruptured, the cat has licked all the babies and they are suckling milk - everything is done. Further assistance will be reduced to proper care of the newborn pet.

To know for sure that all the kittens have come out, it is advisable to first do an ultrasound and count the fetuses. Then there will be no cause for concern if the number of babies born coincides with the number given by the veterinarian.

After the baby arrives

1. When the kitten appears more than halfway out of the way, you can slightly pull it up. Under no circumstances should you make sudden jerks or turns. Movements should be neat and smooth.
2. Following the fetus, the placenta will appear. Pull it up too.
3. If the kitten was born with an intact bladder, tear it at the head.
4. Cut the umbilical cord at a distance of 2 cm.
5. Make sure your cat eats the placenta. This is a very light food and, at the same time, provides all the necessary substances.
6. Place the newborn next to the mother. She should actively lick him. The kitten should squeak, and at this time we are waiting for the next one.

If the kitten does not squeak and the mother does not pay attention to it, you need to free it from the remnants of the amniotic sac and wipe it with a dry cloth. This will stimulate you to start breathing on your own. If the baby is not breathing, turn him upside down and actively stroke his body. Blow lightly into his mouth. Press down on your chest until it bends about 1/3. This will help the lungs expand. As soon as the baby squeaks, give it to the cat.

In the vast majority of cases, difficulties occur only with the first kitten. The rest are born without complications. You just need to make sure that during the period of pushing the cat does not crush the already born kittens.

Correct care for a woman in labor

In the wild, cats give birth on their own, but in domestic cats, their natural instincts are muted. For this reason, it is desirable that the owner be nearby during childbirth and can provide the necessary assistance in a timely manner. It is especially needed for a cat giving birth for the first time. The pet can only guess what will be required of her. The owner’s task is to act competently and, if necessary, call a veterinarian.

Correct actions with the amniotic sac

If the bubble with the kitten inside is not damaged, if the fetus lies correctly head first, then your help will not be required. You need to intervene in the following cases: - if the bubble is torn, prepare a clean cloth, wrap it around the kitten and gently pull at the next contraction; - if the bladder is torn and the kitten is walking butt, pull without waiting for a contraction, speed is more important so that the baby does not suffocate.

If the cat does not chew the amniotic sac, this must be done for her. You will need sterile scissors. Act quickly - if you wait more than half a minute, the kitten may suffocate.

If the kittens are too big

It is difficult for a cat to give birth to large babies. It will also be difficult for you to remove the kitten; it will slip back into the vagina. If your cat's vulva is dry, lubricate it with Vaseline or lubricant. Proceed as follows: - wait for the next contraction when the baby approaches the vulva; - insert the index finger of a sterile-gloved hand into the vulva a few centimeters and move the skin towards the anus; - as soon as the kitten appears, grab it and move it slightly to help it come out. Determine the intensity of the impact yourself individually.

What to do if a kitten gets stuck

A few hours before birth, kittens take a forward-facing position. But sometimes babies change position or their head is turned to the side, making it difficult to exit the vulva. To help a stuck kitten be born, lubricate the vulva with lubricant or Vaseline and with a sterile gloved hand perform the following manipulations: - carefully insert your finger into the baby’s mouth, if the amniotic sac allows it; — turn the kitten’s head in the right direction so that the cat’s contractions push it further; - press on the cat's perineum at the bottom of the anus - this will cause a contraction, and the baby will not be able to return back.

We do the same if the kitten moves forward with its sacrum - grab it by the paws and guide it along the birth canal.

It happens that for some reason kittens die in the womb. In this case, they will still be born naturally. The cat will go into labor, and if your help is needed, you can act less carefully. It is important that everything is in order with the cat, so if the fetus is stuck, feel free to pull on any part of the body.

The kitten should be born feet first or head first

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wait some more time. and then pull. Just be careful not to tear off your head. and this is me now, no joke. Look for a veterinarian at home, there is probably one in your city. Or try to pull it yourself, only very carefully, during a contraction, by the kitten’s scruff, you can lubricate the cat’s vagina with Vaseline.

I heard that if there is something wrong with a kitten, the cat will eat it. In general, don’t be nervous, everything will be fine with the cat. It’s better not to interfere, maybe massage your tummy.

Vaseline oil (this is like an emergency aid if the kitten does not pass, is stuck) Just when the kitten walks feet first, it often gets stuck with its head, sometimes the fetal sac ruptures, and it is difficult for the kitten to get out, since in its sac it turns out to be more slippery and comes out easier out. This is where Vaseline oil is used - but not everyone can cope with this process - you need to lubricate the vulva with Vaseline and pour a little Vaseline inside the birth canal, but very carefully, wrap the legs and body of the stuck kitten with gauze or cotton cloth and slowly pull it out with screw-like movements kitten at the time of the next contractions. You can pull at the withers, but very carefully. Vaseline will act as a lubricant.

Need an assistant. If the cat pinched the kitten out of pain and fear, for example, in the neck area (i.e. body outward, head inward). Then take a cloth like old gauze or an old waffle towel. The cat is placed in the “pooping” position and the baby is pulled down by the scruff of the neck (not by the body or limbs), swinging from side to side. Ideally, synchronously with the contractions, but sometimes the cat gets so stuck that the contractions stop and time runs out. Then you'll have to carry on without them. An assistant fixes the cat. Everything must be done very quickly, but without hysterics and haste!

Just don’t paw or squeeze too hard. ! If you do nothing, the kitten may die from suffocation

How many kittens did your cat give birth to? Boy or girl? Did you solve the problem using the advice of the respondents?

In the vast majority of cases, during childbirth, a cat only needs moral support from a person. As a rule, some breeds require help - extreme Persians, Rexes, Orientals. Often pregnancy in these breeds is complicated by polyhydramnios and large fetuses. Often cats of these breeds carry their babies to term.

What not to do during childbirth

In the desire to help a giving birth cat, it is important not to harm. There are a number of actions that are prohibited. What you shouldn't do:

• do not press on the stomach, this will cause pain to the cat and harm the kittens inside;
• do not pull the umbilical cord so that it does not break or cause a hernia in the cat;
• do not burst the bladder if the woman in labor is ready to do it herself;
• Do not give injections without your veterinarian's approval and do not use medications to induce normal labor.
• do not use instruments without sterilization to avoid infection;
• Do not take kittens away from your cat immediately after birth.

When to call the vet

Keep your veterinarian's number handy. You may need to seek qualified help at any time if something goes wrong. Delay during childbirth in a difficult situation is fraught with the death of both the kittens and the cat itself.

An urgent call to the veterinarian is required if:

• a kitten cannot be born for more than an hour;
• the kitten is stuck, walking incorrectly, and you cannot help the animal;
• The cat’s body temperature is too high or, on the contrary, has decreased;
• a liquid with an unpleasant odor and a strange color is released from the vulva;
• the cat has heart palpitations;
• the cat is unable to move, labor is weak or absent.

Call a specialist if you have any doubts, to be on the safe side, at least consult by phone.

The consequence of a difficult birth in a cat can be various complications. It is not possible to diagnose and treat them on your own. Therefore, a cat that has given birth should be shown to a veterinarian within a week and, if necessary, examined.

When delivering a cat at home, maintain composure. Fluffy mom sensitively reads your mood. Act clearly and correctly, and soon newborn babies will delight both of you.

Interesting topics

What else to read:

1. Breeds of dogs that love catsContents of the articleThe main breeds of dogs that are friends with catsDogs that can.
2. Why do cats bite Contents of the article Errors in handling cats Physiological reasons Educational fight against aggressive ones.
3. How to make your home safe for a catContents of the articleToys that are dangerousIndoor plantsUnlocked windowsChemical hazardElectrical wiresHousehold appliances Starting.
4. Comfortable holiday in the country with your beloved cat Contents of the article Arguments of opponents of holiday with a pet in the country Preparing for the trip.

© Veterinary clinic "Belanta", 2004—2021, Moscow

Recommendations for the owner

It was not possible to cope with the defect using the manipulations described above; it will not be possible to correct it, since modern methods of veterinary practice do not allow this. The defect is considered recessive and genetic, so doctors do not recommend breeding a cat with the same cat in the future. For preventive purposes during pregnancy, the owner of the female will need to provide her with a proper and balanced diet. It is important to remember that during this period the pet needs increased consumption of the components required for the cat’s body. A cat's diet must include lean meats, vegetables, cereals and eggs. Several times a week it is permissible to diversify the menu with fermented milk products and boiled sea fish.

Deviations in the first stage of labor in cats.

Among the deviations during childbirth, in addition to primary inertia, quite rare disorders also occur, such as torsion and rupture of the uterus. Such deviations can lead to serious complications in late pregnancy and the first stage of labor. When the uterus twists, the blood supply is disrupted and normal passage of the fetus becomes impossible. It is believed that twisting occurs, as a rule, as a result of jumping or some sudden movements that cause oscillatory movements of the uterus in late pregnancy. Ruptures are most often the result of blows or other violent trauma, as well as very strong strain due to constipation. Tears that occur during childbirth have the same symptoms as twisting. There are known cases of ruptures that occurred in the early stages of pregnancy, in which kittens continue to develop outside the uterus, in the maternal abdominal cavity. In such cases, the placenta is attached to one of the abdominal organs, but usually such fetuses do not go through the full development period, and, of course, cannot be born without abdominal surgery.

Signs and symptoms of the disease

The provocateur of acromegaly is an excess production of the growth hormone somatotropin in adults, or a pituitary tumor affecting the optic nerves and surrounding parts of the brain. In the initial stage of acromegaly, changes in appearance occur so slowly that neither loved ones nor the patient himself notice it. Until one day they discover that their feet do not fit into their favorite shoes, and it is impossible to put rings on their overweight fingers.

The development of acromegaly is accompanied by symptoms that cause panic among relatives and the patient. Facial features, which only recently others spoke of with delight, become coarser. Over the years, the scale of the problem has become visible from afar. The brow ridges and cheekbones become larger, gaps appear between the teeth, and the lower jaw becomes heavier. Soft tissues grow and become thick. Ears, nose, lips change sizes. Folds appear in the area of ​​the cheeks, forehead and back of the head.

Deviations in the second stage of labor in cats.

Secondary inertia occurs during the prolonged second stage, and may be caused by obstructive dystocia, muscle fatigue, or excessive pain. Obstructive dystocia can have many causes, but most often occurs due to a malunion of the pelvis (after a fracture), as well as due to abnormal presentation, position or development of the fetus. Pauses in labor, as already described, are certainly not inertia, since the cat clearly feels well, labor resumes normally, and the kittens are born alive and healthy. The important difference is that secondary inertia follows some difficulty or delay in the birth, and cats appear restless and exhausted.

Malpresentation of the fetus.

Reverse (or tail) presentation, when the kitten is positioned not with its head, but with its tail forward, is very common in cats. So much so that it can even be called a normal phenomenon, which usually does not cause any delays during childbirth. However, if the first kitten walks tail first, then a delay is quite possible due to the lack of wedge-shaped pressing of the liquid-filled membrane with the head. Ultimately, the birth usually ends successfully. However, there is an increased risk of the fetus drowning in its own fluid if the time until the placenta separates when its nose is freed is too long.

Deviations in addition (Malposture).

For the normal course of labor in cats, the position of the fetal head is very important. With brachycephaly (a head with a relatively large transverse diameter), the cat experiences difficulty when the kitten's head passes into the pelvic region. Lack of a wedge-shaped muzzle increases the risk of the head tilting to the side, down between the front legs, or onto the chest. Occasionally, one or both front legs may arch backward along the body, and when the fetus is positioned tail first, one or both hind legs may arch forward. All the options described can lead to a temporary delay in labor and require additional effort from the cat, and even, in the worst case, to complete obstruction. Note.

Malposture Posture

How to help a cat during childbirth

Cats are animals with highly developed natural instincts. Therefore, as a rule, intervention in the lambing process is not required. However, every pet is dear to its owner. Therefore, the cat owner must have an understanding of cat pregnancy and childbirth in order to help her or provide assistance in case of complications. If there are no pathologies, then the cat will give birth to offspring on its own. And the owner’s role will be reduced to observation, organizing a place for lambing and good feeding.

Signs of approaching labor

Signs of impending labor in cats can appear either the day before birth or one to two hours before it. It depends on the characteristics of each cat’s body. In cats giving birth for the first time, symptoms begin earlier because the animal’s body takes more time to adjust.

Signs of imminent labor are as follows:

• The animal loses its appetite, it drinks a lot - this is how the body prepares for lambing ;
• Manifestation of lethargy - the cat spends almost all of its time in the place that it has chosen for birth;
• The active movement of the abdomen is noticeable, since the kittens move energetically before the onset of contractions, taking the most convenient position for passing the birth canal. If there are many kittens or they are large, then such a movement can begin two days before birth;
• The cat actively licks the genital slit, because... vaginal discharge appears. She maintains cleanliness as this is important to prevent infection;
• The removal of a plug that covered the uterus during pregnancy. If the plug comes out, labor will begin within one to two hours;
• Rectal temperature drops to 37 degrees (this prevents bleeding after childbirth and during the process);
• The appearance of colostrum - when you press on the nipples, a white drop appears;
• The cat hunches over, screams and tries to hide - this behavior is possible 4-6 hours before the onset of labor due to the appearance of false contractions. They prepare the appearance of kittens, but do not open the uterus. False contractions help determine the appearance of real contractions.

Causes of problems

Taking a dip at home is quite easy. It doesn’t matter if it’s a village house or a city apartment. But in some cases, the pregnancy period has passed, and the cat still does not give birth, although all the signs are obvious. The kittens will continue to grow, taking away strength and energy. The larger the fetus, the more difficult the birth will be. They should not be tightened.

Let's list the main reasons why a cat is unable to go into labor on time:

Weak labor activity stands out. There are two main types. The first is a slight tone of the uterus. It is caused by a lack of the hormone oxytocin. In rare cases, calcium. The second occurs when labor lasts more than a day, the cat has lost a lot of strength and can no longer push.

To avoid the problems described above, a pregnant cat is taken to a veterinarian before giving birth. He conducts examinations and makes recommendations if any of the listed anomalies are detected. In rare cases, hospital observation is required to prevent the death of a cat and its offspring. This could be a clinic in Moscow or a good provincial one.

The birth process

It is impossible to predict how long labor will last. Even for a cat that gives birth frequently, this process can take varying amounts of time. The average duration of labor is from two to six hours , but there may be a longer period - up to a day.

Lambing is divided into three stages:

• The first stage is contractions;
• The second stage is the birth of kittens;
• The third stage is the release of the placenta.

Lambing begins with uterine contractions, which is accompanied by colorless vaginal discharge. At the end of the first stage, contractions become more pronounced and frequent. The cat is breathing heavily and may make sounds.

The second stage begins with the discharge of amniotic fluid. After this there must be a birth. The period after the water breaks and the kittens appear should not exceed two hours. Otherwise, the help of a veterinarian is required.

After the kitten comes out, the cat must lick it. If she does not do this, then the owner needs to clear the mucus from the nose and mouth.

Kittens may appear one after another, but sometimes there is a gap of up to two hours. You can tell if labor has ended or not by carefully palpating the animal’s abdomen. They are easily felt if they are still there. This examination stimulates labor, but it should be carried out with extreme caution.

The third stage is the release of the placenta after the birth of each kitten. The cat chews the umbilical cord and usually eats the placenta. The cat owner must ensure that the number of kittens and the number of afterbirths coincide. If the placenta remains in the birth canal, it can cause complications after childbirth.

Stages of the procedure

Specialists note several stages that precede the birth of kittens. The cat walks restlessly, the babies are actively moving in the stomach.

The first stage of labor begins. It lasts up to 24 hours. The cat's body temperature drops by 2-3 degrees. This is a natural process. The cat actively licks the nipples or genitals. In some cases, vomiting is observed. It is better to transfer the expectant mother to a previously prepared nest. There she will feel safe and prepared for childbirth.

The cat's water breaks and her pulse quickens. Breathing is occasionally interrupted. The contractions began. The pet meows loudly, sometimes turning into a scream. The owner calms the cat down by talking and lightly stroking the belly.

The second stage begins. The abdominal and diaphragm muscles are activated. The cat is pushing hard and the baby is gradually moving forward. The amniotic sac partially ruptures and fluid flows from the vagina.

Many owners are interested: is a kitten born feet first or head first? In this, cats copy humans. Like a human baby, a kitten is born head first. But it is worth noting that birth with the pelvis or paws forward should not cause concern to the owner. This is natural for cats.

The mother licks the baby, freeing it from the amniotic sac. Cats often eat this afterbirth. It is rich in vitamins and minerals. But a large amount of afterbirth eaten causes indigestion. The optimal quantity for a female is 2 pieces. In most cases, the cat chews the umbilical cord on its own.

ATTENTION! The number of afterbirths exactly corresponds to the number of kittens. Sometimes their number does not match. This means that one of the placentas remained inside the uterus. It must be removed to prevent inflammation of the genital organs in the future.

The final, third stage comes into force. The animal's uterus comes to rest until the next kitten appears. The break between births lasts from 10 to 60 minutes. The cat can drink and rest a bit.

The time of birth is an individual value. But if they continue for more than 24 hours, you should contact your veterinarian.