This membrane is part of the placenta, or "afterbirth. Following is the normal sequence of events during delivery:. Once labor begins, the head or tail end of the first kitten appears at the vagina after a few contractions. The kitten is fully delivered and free of the birth canal within about 10 minutes. The queen begins licking the newborn kitten to tear away the sac from the kitten's head.
This is important because, unless the sac tore open during delivery, the kitten will quickly suffocate if the sac is not removed from around its face. The licking also stimulates the kitten to breathe, and removes some of the birth fluids from its coat. The cat may be quite vigorous with the kitten, but it is very unusual for a cat to hurt her kittens in this way.
Like babies, kittens often cry or mew when they take their first breath. This does not mean the cat has injured the kitten. Next, the cat chews the umbilical cord close to the kitten's belly to disconnect the placenta. She may then eat the placenta. This is normal. The kitten was born without assistance, but the cat does not lick away the sac from the kitten's head or do the other normal things a mother cat would do.
Depending on the condition of the mother, the size of the kittens, and the litter size, your veterinarian may manage a difficult delivery dystocia with or without surgery. Remove the wet and soiled newspapers from the queening box and line the box with soft bedding. If you have had to assist with the delivery and have kept the kittens in a separate box in the meantime, return the kittens to their mother once you have prepared the clean bedding. They will be hungry and she will be ready for them to nurse.
It is a good idea to have your veterinarian examine your cat and her kittens within the first 24 hours after delivery. The veterinarian will check to make sure all kittens have been delivered, and that all delivered kittens are healthy. If necessary, your cat may be given an injection to contract her uterus and stimulate milk production. It is normal for the cat to have a small amount of bloody discharge from her vagina for days after delivery.
If the discharge continues for more than one week, or if it looks abnormal in any way, call your veterinarian. Yes, but it is uncommon. When kittens are born several days early prematurely , they are small, thin, and have little or no hair.
They require round-the-clock care if they are to survive. Caring for premature kittens is discussed in Part II. It is relatively common for one or two kittens in a litter to be stillborn; to die shortly before or during delivery.
The stillborn kitten may be delivered normally, or it may disrupt the birth process and need to be removed for labor to proceed. If several kittens in a litter are stillborn, you should contact your veterinarian to determine the cause. Keep the kittens for post-mortem examination. Yes, cats can get eclampsia, or milk fever; loss of calcium from the mother's body as a result of milk production.
It is most likely to occur when milk production is at its highest, which in cats is usually when the kittens are older around 3 weeks of age but still nursing. Eclampsia is more likely in cats with large litters. Signs include muscle spasms, stiff or spastic movements, and heavy panting.
Eclampsia can be fatal; call your veterinarian immediately if your nursing cat shows these signs. The condition is easily treated with calcium, but you must act quickly. Fraser, D. Our Policies Your Privacy. Feline Breeding Your Cat Part I: Breeding, Pregnancy, and Delivery Whether you are breeding cats commercially or simply because you want a litter of kittens from your favorite cat, you'll find that breeding cats can be a fun and rewarding experience.
How can I tell when my cat is in heat? What is involved in having my cat bred? Should I be feeding my cat anything special during her pregnancy? Pet insurance: You will be expected to buy pet insurance for your litter of kittens if you are breeding cats. Make sure you have enough capital to cover these costs. Vaccinations and care: You will also be expected to provide at least the initial vaccinations for the litter. These are essential to making sure your kittens are in good health and that your customers are getting the healthiest cats possible.
Vaccinations can cost a substantial amount when you consider that these kittens need to be taken care of as well in the first eight weeks, before you can give them to the new owners. There are several unwanted cats in the UK and several more abandoned cats or strays, so do be sure you can find homes for your litter of kittens before you decide to start breeding cats.
If you are unsure and need additional help or guidance when it comes to making up your mind about breeding cats, there are several agencies that can advise you on the cost of cat breeding and what you need to consider. The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy is an excellent source of information on rules and regulations, as well as what you can expect. Their breeding policy and outcrossing policy should help you with any decisions you need to make. They also register bred cats in the UK.
International Cat Care is also an agency you can turn for advice on breeding. They provide information on international breeding standards and common problems to look out for. In this article, we have outlined some of the factors you need to consider before breeding cats. Talking with an expert will give you more insight and help you make your decision.
Read more about pregnancy in cats here. We believe people and pets are 'Better Together'. Our programme promises to support you through every stage of your journey. Next article. Feeding Your Cat During Pregnancy. Cat Pregnancy. Related topics. Therefore, it is preferable to take the female to the male's home for breeding.
The timing for breeding cats is not highly critical or complicated because cats are induced ovulators. This means that the act of breeding stimulates the ovaries to release eggs.
Therefore, the female's eggs should be released from the ovaries when the sperm are deposited in the reproductive tract at breeding. Most female cats require breedings within a 24 hour period for ovulation to occur. Once ovulation has occurred, the female cat will go out of heat within a day or two. Pregnancy, also called the gestation period, ranges from 60 to 67 days and averages 63 days; most cats deliver queen between days 63 and The only way to accurately determine the stage of pregnancy is to count days from the time of breeding.
If possible, the breeding date s should be recorded. The mother should be examined three weeks after breeding to confirm her pregnancy. A pregnant cat should be fed a kitten formulation of a premium brand of cat food for the duration of the pregnancy and through the nursing period. These diets are generally available through veterinary hospitals or pet stores. Kitten diets provide all the extra nutrition needed for the mother and her litter.
If the mother is eating one of these diets, no calcium, vitamin, or mineral supplements are needed. The kitten formulation is necessary to provide the extra nutrients for pregnancy and nursing. During pregnancy, the mother's food consumption will often reach 1. By the end of the nursing period, it may exceed two times the pre-pregnancy amount.
Do not withhold food; increasing the number of feedings per day is helpful in allowing her to eat enough for her needs and those of the kittens. From the time of breeding, many cats show behavioral changes.
Most develop an unusually sweet and loving disposition and demand more affection and attention. However, some may become uncharacteristically irritable.
Some experience a few days of vomition "morning sickness" followed by the development of a ravenous appetite which persists throughout the pregnancy. During the latter stages of pregnancy, the expectant mother begins to look for a secure place for delivery. Many become uncomfortable being alone and will cling closely to their owner. At the onset of labor, many nervously seek a place to make the "nest" or birthing place.
If the cat is attached to her owner, she will not want to be left alone at the time of delivery. If left alone, she may delay delivery until the owner returns. Prior to the time of delivery, a queening box should be selected and placed in a secluded place, such as a closet or a dark corner.
The box should be large enough for the cat to move around freely, but have low enough sides so that she can see out and so you can reach inside to give assistance, if needed. The bottom of the box should be lined with several layers of newspapers. These provide a private hiding place for the expectant and delivering mother and will absorb the birthing fluids.
The upper, soiled layers may be removed with minimal interruption to the mother and her newborn kittens. Most cats experience delivery without complications; however, first-time mothers should be attended by their owners until at least one or two kittens are born. If these are born quickly and without assistance, further attendance may not be necessary, although it is desirable. If the owner elects to leave, care should be taken so that the cat does not try to follow and leave the queening box.
The signs of impending labor generally include nervousness and panting. The cat will often quit eating during the last 24 hours before labor. She will also usually have a drop in rectal temperature below oF The temperature drop may occur intermittently for several days prior to delivery, but it will usually be constant for the last 24 hours.
Delivery times will vary. Shorthair cats and cats having slim heads, such as Siamese, may complete delivery in one to two hours. Domestic body type cats having large, round heads generally require longer delivery times.
Persian and other domestic body type kittens tend to be very large and have sizable heads that make delivery more difficult. It is not unusual for Persians to rest an hour or more between each kitten.
Rarely, a cat may deliver one or two kittens then have labor stop for as long as twenty-four hours before the remainder of the litter is borne.
However, if labor does not resume within a few hours after the delivery of the first kittens, examination by a veterinarian is advised. If labor is interrupted for twenty-four hours or more, veterinary assistance should definitely be obtained. Each kitten is enclosed in a sac that is part of the placenta "afterbirth". The placentas usually pass after the kittens are born. However, any that do not pass will disintegrate and pass within hours after delivery.
It is normal for the mother to eat the placentas. If the delivery proceeds normally, a few contractions will discharge the kitten; it should exit the birth canal within ten minutes of being visible.
Following delivery, the mother should lick the newborn's face. She will then proceed to wash it and toss it about. Her tongue is used to tear the sac and expose the mouth and nose.
This vigorous washing stimulates circulation, causing the kitten to cry and begin breathing; it also dries the newborn's haircoat. Next, she will eat the placenta. If the kitten or a fluid-filled bubble is partially visible from the vagina, the owner should assist delivery. A dampened gauze or thin washcloth can be used to break the bubble and grasp the head or feet. When a contraction occurs, firm traction should be applied in a downward i. If reasonable traction is applied without being able to remove the kitten, or if the queen cries intensely during this process, the kitten is probably lodged.
A veterinarian's assistance should be sought without delay. It is normal for the female to remove the placental sac and clean the kittens; however, first-time mothers may be bewildered by the experience and hesitate to do so.
If the sac is not removed within a few minutes after delivery, the kitten will suffocate, so you should be prepared to intervene. The kitten's face should be wiped with a damp washcloth or gauze to remove the sac and allow breathing. Vigorous rubbing with a soft, warm towel will stimulate circulation and dry the hair. The umbilical cord should be tied with cord i. Newborn kittens may aspirate fluid into the lungs, as evidenced by a raspy noise during respiration.
This fluid can be removed by the following procedure. First, the kitten should be held in the palm of your hand.
The kitten's face should be cradled between the first two fingers. The head should be held firmly with this hand, and the body should be held firmly with the other.
Next, a downward swing motion with the hands should make the kitten gasp. Gravity will help the fluid and mucus to flow out of the lungs. This process may be tried several times until the lungs sound clear.
The tongue is a reliable indicator of successful respiration. If the kitten is getting adequate oxygen, it will appear pink to red. A bluish colored tongue indicates insufficient oxygen to the lungs, signaling that the swinging procedure should be repeated. It may be helpful to have a smaller, clean, dry box lined with a warm towel for the newborn kittens. A towel can be warmed in a microwave oven. After the kitten is stable and the cord has been tied, it should be placed in the incubator box while the mother is completing delivery.
Warmth is essential so a heating pad or hot water bottle may be placed in the box, or a heat lamp may be placed nearby.
If a heating pad is used, it should be placed on the low setting and covered with a towel to prevent overheating. A hot water bottle should be covered with a towel. Remember, the newborn kittens may be unable to move away from the heat source. Likewise, caution should also be exercised when using a heat lamp.
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