What to do if the cat can't give birth

There are also cocktails, the recipe of which every self-respecting owner of a whiskered pet in a position is obliged to know.

Help. The cat can't give birth.

Cat, 1 year and eight months, first pregnancy, today the 68th day, in the morning is acting restless, trying to get on top of the closet, but we do not let her, contractions noticed only once, at 11, 15 there is blood, very little, she licks it. How to help the cat? maybe a massage or something stimulating? How long can labor normally last? and of course =- no money and nowhere to get

Sometimes cats give birth with complications, in which case you can't do without human help.

The birth begins with a discharge of grayish-red water. Then comes labor, about an hour before the first kitten is born. It is generally accepted that labor should take place within 24 hours. If a cat cannot give birth to its first kitten within 6 to 8 hours after water breaks and contractions begin, medical help should be sought.
The veterinarian should also help if the time from the birth of one cub to the other exceeds 3 to 4 hours.

The intervals between births of kittens vary from 10 minutes to several hours. During these periods it is advisable to offer the cat water, warm tea or milk. Affection and attention will also make her feel better.

An emerging kitten is connected to the afterbirth by an umbilical cord. The mother cat shares this bond with her teeth and intensely licks the cub with her tongue. The cat eats the umbilical cord and placenta.

Help in a cat's labor
Sometimes the birth occurs with such complications that without human help the kittens and cat may die. But that person doesn't always have to be a veterinarian. An experienced owner can also intervene and alleviate the animal's plight if delay is fraught with consequences. But you must remember that if you disturb the cat unnecessarily during childbirth, it will irritate it and then it may even eat the cubs.
So, you help. If the contractions are insufficient, you can induce them by stroking the abdomen and back with your hand. You need to help pull the kitten out if the cub stagnates in the birth canal. But you should do it very carefully: you can not pull the head, because it will kill the kitten by breaking the cervical vertebrae. You usually pull it by its legs, a little to the left and a little to the right – alternately. It is best to pull by the folds of skin on the animal's neck or torso, wrapping three fingers around them. If amniotic fluid has leaked and the birth canal is dry, you should soak your fingers in Vaseline oil. If the kitten is pulled out with force, this can cause severe injuries and wounds to the birth canal. You cannot drag it perpendicular to the cat's position! Only along its body! The other hand should gently support the cat's abdomen.

Causes of problems

Most of the time, giving birth at home to a pregnant pet is not difficult. However, there are situations when a long period has passed since the beginning of contractions, but the cat does not give birth for a long time. Often the kitty cannot give birth in the following situations:

• The large size of the kitten;
• The wrong position of the fetus;
• Injuries of a traumatic nature;
• inflammation;
• narrow pelvis;
• incomplete opening of the cervix;
• abnormalities in the development of the vaginal fornix;
• Lack of lubrication;
• advanced age;
• Excessive body weight.

Weak labor activity

However, it is not uncommon for a cat to be unable to give birth due to factors other than those described above. One of the most common factors is considered weak labor activity. It is commonly divided into 2 types:

• Primary mild uterine tone. It is observed due to a lack of the hormone oxytocin in the body, which is responsible for the frequency of contractions. Sometimes this condition can also be provoked by calcium deficiency.
• Secondary. Cessation of uterine contractions due to severe exhaustion of the female during labor.

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What to do at home?

How to induce labor at home?

To help a laboring cat and speed up the process of labor, it is recommended to resort to the help of the medication "Oxytocin". It is an artificial hormone that makes the uterus contract faster. However, this medication is not safe, so the first thing to do before using it is to contact the veterinarian who has seen the pregnant cat. Improper use of the medication can cause severe bleeding or cervical rupture.

Another pharmaceutical called Travmatin can also be used. If the owner sees that the cat is in pain, this medication will work fine. It has an analgesic effect and allows you to regulate contractions. In addition, in veterinary practice, the medicine is used to prevent complications.

Pharmaceutical, which has the name "Gamavit" will also help. In veterinary practice, it is used to stimulate the uterine muscles. It is often used in severe situations to make the labor process easy and fast. It is also recommended to resort to calcium gluconate, which smoothly increases the labor activity, as well as provoking increased production of breast milk. This medication can also be used after the birth of the offspring, as it effectively combats eclampsia. This pathology develops after childbirth and is a disorder of a nervous nature. Often the ailment is provoked by a lack of calcium in the body of the cat that gave birth.

The lack of this element not only affects the condition of teeth, bones and hair. It can also provoke seizures and lead to the death of the pet.

Traditional medicine

To induce labor, the owner will first need to put the pet in a position as if she is defecating, and then start massaging the peritoneum. Next, it is recommended to prepare a cocktail, which can be used instead of "Oxytocin". It will be necessary to fill a syringe with 2 ml of ascorbic acid, 4 ml of calcium gluconate and glucose. To make the cat give birth, the shot should be injected intramuscularly, but only until the appearance of the first baby. The dosage is calculated as follows: 2 ml of the remedy accounts for 10 kilograms of body weight of the pet.

Correct help to a parturient woman

In the wild, cats give birth on their own, but in domestic cats the natural instincts are muted. For this reason, it is desirable for the owner to be there during the birth and be able to give the necessary help in time. It is especially necessary for a cat giving birth for the first time. The pet can only guess what will be required of her. The owner's job is to act competently and, if necessary, call the veterinarian.

What to do correctly with the fetal bladder

If the bubble with the kitten inside has no damage, if the fetus lies properly headfirst, your help will not be needed. You should intervene in the following cases:
– if the bubble is torn – prepare a clean cloth, wrap it around the kitten and at the next contraction gently pull;
– If the bubble is burst and the kitten is sucking – pull without waiting for the contraction, the quickness is more important, so the baby won't suffocate.

If the cat doesn't gnaw the amniotic bubble, you should do it for her. You will need sterile scissors. Act quickly – if you wait more than half a minute, the kitten may suffocate.

If kittens are too big

Large kittens are hard for a cat to deliver. You will also find it hard to get the kitten out, it will slip back into the vagina. If the cat's vulva is dry, lubricate it with petroleum jelly or lubricant. Proceed as follows:
– Wait for another contraction when the baby approaches the vulva;
– Insert the index finger of your hand in a sterile glove a few centimeters into the vulva and push the skin towards the anus;
– As soon as the kitten emerges, grip it and move it gently to help it come out. The intensity of the action is up to you individually.

What to do if the kitten is stuck

A few hours before they are born, kittens assume the position with their faces forward. But sometimes babies change position or their head is turned sideways, making it difficult to get out of the vulva. To help a stuck kitten come out, lubricate the vulva with lubricant or Vaseline and use a hand in a sterile glove to do the following manipulations
– Gently insert your finger into the baby's mouth, if the amniotic bladder allows;
– turn the kitten's head in the right direction so that the cat's contractions push it further out;
– press on the cat's crotch at the bottom of the anal opening – this will cause a contraction and the baby won't be able to go back in.

What not to do during labor

In wanting to help a laboring cat, it is important not to do any harm. There are a number of actions that are forbidden. What you should not do:

• Do not put pressure on the abdomen, this will hurt the cat and hurt the kittens inside;
• Do not pull the umbilical cord, so that it does not break or cause a hernia in the cat;
• do not tear the bladder if the mother is willing to do it herself;
• do not give injections without a veterinarian's approval and do not use drugs to induce a normal birth;
• Do not use instruments that have not been sterilized to avoid infection;
• Do not take kittens away from the cat immediately after delivery.

Second stage of labor.

In this stage, the abdominal and diaphragm muscles come into motion – strong pushing begins. The first kitten advances to a new life. The amniotic bladder ruptures and some amniotic fluid flows out of the cat's vagina. At this point, the cat is lying on its side, in some cases standing or sitting. Kittens, as well as humans, are born head-first, although breech presentation of the cubs is also the norm.

After a kitten is born, the cat licks it, frees it from the fetal bladder, chews the umbilical cord and lays it on the chest.

Stage three of labor

The third stage of labor is the calm state of the cat's uterus between the births of the babies. It lasts about fifteen minutes. During this period, the cat may drink some water. It is not uncommon for the cat to also eat the afterbirth, which comes out after the kitten is born. But you should not let your cat eat more than two afterbirths. This can cause an upset stomach for the new mother.

INTERESTING: The number of afterbirths in cats should be the same as the number of kittens born. If the afterbirth does not come out, the owner needs to help the cat get it out. If this is not done, the cat can have serious inflammation.

It is impossible to determine the exact duration of labor in cats, because it is a very individual process. There are individuals who can do it in a couple of hours, and for some prolonged labor lasts up to 36 hours.

Don't listen to the advice!

Cat lover's forums are overflowing with advice about what to do if a cat can't give birth. If you summarize the tips it turns out that the only way to help a new mom is to start Oxytocin injections.

Oxytocin has been regarded for many years as a dangerous drug, whose use is only appropriate in extreme cases. Do not use medication that has not been prescribed by a veterinarian. For prolonged labor, the veterinarian should be called to the home and follow all recommendations given by the veterinarian.

For prolonged births, in extreme cases, the vet may push the kitten or use forceps to push the kitten through the birth canal. Do not perform such manipulations yourself, as too much pressure can cause the uterine walls or the birth canal to tear. In this case the intrauterine bleeding will open, the kittens will very probably die and the cat will be saved in minutes.

Complicated birth – what to expect and what to do

There are situations in which a cat needs immediate help. Call your veterinarian immediately if more than 12 hours have elapsed since contractions began, and the cat still has not started pushing. Usually, after the first push, a bubble will show in the birth canal. If the bubble shows, but subsequent exertions do not result in the birth of a kitten, the bubble must be opened. More often than not, after the bubble is opened, the cat has a strong push and the kitten comes out.

Labor activity can stop if the first kitten has had 4-5 pushes after the birth, but the next bubble has not shown. This can happen if the second or subsequent kittens are in the wrong breech. If the first kitten is born with her tail forward, there is no need to panic! Take over resuscitation of the baby: remove fluid from the airway, rub the baby with a towel, and when it begins to breathe, place it on the mother's nipple. During labor, kittens can be in a state of clinical death for up to 10 minutes.

Important! If the cat has stopped giving birth, but you are sure that she has not given birth to all kittens or the afterbirth, be sure to see a veterinarian!

In the last week of pregnancy, it is recommended that the cat be examined with X-rays or ultrasound. After the examination the veterinarian will be able to establish how many kittens are in the litter. It does not make sense to do this earlier because some of the embryos may die and dissolve in the uterine cavity.

If you know exactly how many should be born, you can better navigate the birth process. For self-preservation purposes, the cat's body may stop labor for 24 to 36 hours. This break helps the cat to recover and gain strength. During the break, the cat will feed the kittens, take food and water, and go to the litter box. However, after 24-36 hours, labor will resume and the cat will need help again.

Beginning of labor

At first, there are some changes in the cat's body: the plug is being withdrawn, the kittens are turning to move along the birth canal, and the cervix is opening. The beginning of labor: the cat breathes heavily, digs the bed, worries, now falling on her side, then assuming a characteristic defecation posture, pushing back the tail and constantly licking herself. Long-haired cats can have their tails wrapped loosely in bandages, so that the kittens won't get tangled up and it will be easier to watch the process.

The first stage of help is only moral support or non-interference and observation if the cat is timid and/or aggressive. If the cat does not mind people being there, you should talk to him gently and stroke his sides and back toward his tail. Soon you will notice how the muscles contract during contractions and the kittens move through the birth canal – waves go through the cat's body, from withers to tail, the abdomen is oddly bumpy (don't feel the kittens!) and tense. You can guess how long the labor is going to last by the way it starts: the more intense the preparations, the faster the labor. But it often happens that a pet takes a long time to "get ready," has a hard time giving birth to her first baby, and then everything goes much easier.

Pregnancy and childbirth is an intimate process. During childbirth, the pet feels unprotected and can be frightened by the most harmless things. Therefore, you should not invite the whole family, make loud comments about what is happening, and even more so, you should not invite guests into the house.

Labor and Delivery

Contractions gradually become longer, and the periods between them shorten. Do not be alarmed if at the initial stage of contractionsprekrutina – your beloved will rest a bit, and the process resumes. In between you can offer the mother some water, but you should not feed her.

Finally the cat takes a comfortable position (no need to interfere, the cat knows better how to give birth) and the bubble shows from the vulva. Shortly before that, a brown, greenish, yellow or pinkish fluid leaks out of the vulva and sometimes splashes out, which lubricates the birth canal – this is normal. The baby appears and disappears – the cat is waiting for a strong contraction. If this is the pet's first labor, she may become anxious, constantly turning to her tail, trying to see what is causing her pain. You need to reassure the mother-to-be with a gentle voice and gentle strokes.

After waiting for a contraction of the right intensity, the cat makes an effort and pushes the bubble out usually up to halfway. The kitten is surrounded by a thin film with liquid inside, but parts of the calf can already be seen. The baby can walk with its butt or head forward – both attachments are normal. It's a good time to remember all the information on how to deliver a cat:

• If the bubble is intact and/or the baby is going headfirst, you need to wait for the next contraction – the cat will push the kitten out on its own. This is what happens in the vast majority of cases;

• if the bladder is ruptured, you can help – after waiting for a contraction, take the kitten with a piece of gauze and gently pull it in an arc down to the abdomen. All manipulations – in surgical gloves. If it is uncomfortable to act in gloves, stiffness is felt, you need to treat your hands with alcohol (nails should be filed short);

• If the bladder is ruptured and the kitten is walking on its back, you need to get the baby as soon as possible, as it may suffocate. Pull gently, only during a contraction, in an arc toward the belly. Under no circumstances should the kitten be dragged by grabbing a part of the body or the head.

Normal and abnormal course of labor

Prevention of all possible complications during labor begins with Taking care of a pregnant cat. As soon as you discover that your pet is pregnant, whether or not a mating has been planned, she should be seen by a vet.

Pregnancy in a cat can be determined from 2-3 weeks with a blood test. At 3-4 weeks, the expectant mother's mammary glands become swollen. As the gestation period increases, the following signs are observed:

In the normal course of pregnancy, by about 5-6 weeks, the belly of the pet is noticeably rounded. If carrying goes without complications, the cat receives decent care, has no genetic defects, the birth occurs from 64 to 71 days of pregnancy.

Important! With a normal course of pregnancy, before the onset of labor, the cat should not have any discharge from the genitals. The only exception is early rejection of mucus plug, which may occur a few weeks before delivery.

An inexperienced owner will find it easier to handle the situation if The birthing nest prepared in advance. It is necessary to observe the cat's behavior, most often it chooses a suitable (from its point of view) place. You can take the initiative to make a nest for the cat out of a large box. To make the mother-to-be feel safe, the box should be closed (with a roof).

During the first contractions you may find that the cat is restless, constantly going into the nest or looking for a suitable place for the birth of kittens. The cat may meow loudly and attract the owner's attention, especially if she is about to give birth for the first time. The first contractions bring discomfort, but the cat successfully hides the pain. The owner may not notice the release of amniotic fluid and the rejection of the mucus plug, because the cat licks the genital area.

Stages of pregnancy

Short-haired and naked breeds carry kittens for 55-65 days, and long-haired – up to 75 days. The pregnancy time also depends on the number of kittens in the womb. The more kittens, the faster the delivery will be. However, if there are 1-2 calves in a litter, they can be expected with some delay.

WARNING: Sometimes one encounter with a male is not enough. Conception can also occur on the third or subsequent times, so it is difficult to determine the exact date of the beginning of pregnancy at home.

Let's trace the stages of pregnancy for clarity:

1. By the 20th day, the cat's nipples are rounded, pinkish, and possibly peeling. Female moves less, avoids high surfaces. Prefers sleeping to active games, eats intensively several times a day. Abdomen slightly enlarged, but long-haired breeds do not notice it much. When palpating you can feel the developing fetus, but do it carefully, because hasty action will harm both the cat and the baby.
2. From day 40 onwards the fetus develops actively. Gradually the limbs, head and tail are formed. The internal organs are forming, the nervous system is developing. Later on, the fetus acquires features typical of felines, and also grows a sparse coat. The cat gradually loses its appetite.
3. By 6 weeks, the fetus descends into the abdominal cavity and is elongated. The abdomen is visibly rounded, but if there are only one or two kittens, there is little change visible. The abdomen visibly enlarges and takes the shape of a pear.
4. After the 50th day the future kittens are actively moving. If there are many of them, there is not enough space for all of them. The cat experiences discomfort. The mother-to-be has a discharge from the vagina, colostrum appears from the nipples. The pelvis relaxes, from one day to the next the cat will give birth. She walks restlessly around the apartment or lies for a long time in a prearranged nest.

Maine Coons, British, Persian and Sphynx breed cats often require the intervention of the owner, and in rare cases the intervention of the veterinarian.

Preparing

Preliminaries are not superfluous, although most breeds handle pregnancy just fine on their own. So, what to do when a cat gives birth for the first time?

First, we arrange the nest. An ordinary cardboard box will do great for this. On the bottom we put a diaper or any other fabric for convenience. Experienced owners recommend using several layers of soft paper or baby diapers. For the nest, special houses for cats are suitable. The main thing is that the mother-to-be has free access.

Secondly, the cat should set up the nest in a warm, ventilated room. Avoid drafts and the presence of other animals. We exclude toilets and bathrooms. The ideal would be a small room where the cat will not be disturbed. For example, a closet.

Thirdly, in order for the pet to successfully breed, it is provided with food and clean drinking water. All this is placed near the nest or the place where the cat prefers to sleep. This is presumably where she will give birth.

What items will be needed to help, stimulate, and speed up the process for the cat? The list may vary, but if the owner has most of these items, half the job is done:

• Disposable diapers and wet wipes.
• Scissors.
• Disposable syringes and a number of medications to treat complications.
• Vaseline oil to stimulate the vaginal muscles.
• Surgical (or silk) thread to tie off the umbilical cord.
• Iodine, vermilion, disinfectants.

How to help a cat in labor

Contributor(s): Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and treating companion animals. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked in the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Whether you are a purebred breeder or just an owner of a pregnant cat, it is important to know what to do when the cat goes into labor and kittens are born. Generally, a cat's pregnancy lasts 65-67 days, so when you know for sure that the cat is pregnant, start preparing for the birth. This article will tell you how to do that.

Preparing for birth

• The doctor will be able to check how the pregnancy is going and will give you some tips on how to prepare for the birth.
• It is especially important to monitor the condition of a cat that is overweight or has health problems. Show the cat to the doctor as soon as you find out about the pregnancy or suspect that the cat is pregnant. Such cats have a higher risk of complications. [2] X Source of information Feline Reproduction. Burke. Feline Practice 5 (6) 16-19.
• In some cases, the doctor may determine that a pregnancy could endanger the cat's life and recommend that the cat be spayed.
• The doctor can also determine how many kittens will be born, and this will be helpful when the cat is in labor, since you will know how many kittens are due. [3] X Reproduction in the Dog and Cat. Christiansen. Publisher: Bailliere Tindal.

• During the first two trimesters, feed the cat as usual.
• In the third trimester, start feeding cat food for kittens. It has more calories for less volume. Since kittens will put pressure on the stomach, the cat won't be able to eat much, so it's best to feed the cat kitten food.