FELINE OBSTETRICS

Normal Feline Birth

If you believe that your cat could be pregnant it is important to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to discuss important issues concerning the health of the mother.  Also, your veterinarian may recommend an ultrasound or radiograph be done between days 45-55.  This can tell you and your veterinarian the size and positions of the litter, which can be vital information during delivery.

Important time markers

• The normal gestation period is 63 days after impregnation. 
• The fetii can usually be palpated (felt during physical exam by a doctor) at 21-28 days for felines. 
• Ultrasound can confirm pregnancy as early as day 13 in felines.
• Fetal skeletons are visible on radiograph (x-ray) by approximately 45 days after impregnation.

Activity:

Activity is often decreased in the last week of pregnancy and the queen (female cat) may seek a quiet, dark, warm place to give birth.  There may be a decrease in appetite and she may either seek or shun human company.

Milk And Body Temperature:

Milk is usually present within 24 hours of birth.  The queen's body temperature will usually fall by 0.5-1 degree F within 24 hours of birth (normal temperature is 101.5 degrees F, plus of minus 1 degree).

Stages Of Labor:

Stage 1

The queen may appear restless and may vocalize frequently.  She may visit the litterbox and appear to be straining.  Duration of this stage is anywhere from 2-12 hours.

Stage 2

The queen may produce several loud cries right before delivery, especially with the first kitten.  Kittens are usually born at 5-60 minute intervals and the second stage is normally completed within 6 hours.  Once the kitten is born, the mother will lick and remove the sac; then she will cut the umbilical cord with her teeth.

Inexperienced queens may fail to cut the umbilical cord of their kittens and you might have to assist them with this.  Please call your daytime vet or the Animal Emergency Hosptial for instructions.

Dystocia- Difficulty or inability to deliver

Dystocia can be caused by a small or deformed birth canal, fetal oversize, or uterine weakness.

Signs of dystocia:

• No signs of labor 24-36 hours post drop of body temperature.
• More then 60 minutes of strong persistent abdominal contractions without producing a kitten.
• One week past projected due date.
• No kitten after four hours of second stage labor.
• Three or more hours between births.
• Fetal membrane in the vulva longer than 15 minutes.
• Crying / biting at vulva.
• Failure to deliver all offspring within 24 hours after the onset of stage 2 labor.

If your pet is exhibiting any of the above symptoms, you need to seek professional help.  Please call your daytime vet or the Animal Emergency Hospital for instructions.