What are Birth Difficulties?
If a “queen” or mother cat is reasonably healthy, it is highly unlikely that she will suffer from birthing difficulties. However, birth difficulties that include mechanical blockage and uterine inertia occur in some cats. Sometimes mechanical blockage happens when the kittens’ diameter is too wide for the queen’s birth canal diameter. Uterine inertia could come about when the uterus is too weak to contract.
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Symptoms of Birth Difficulties in Cats
Mechanical blockage and uterine inertia are most likely to take place with older cats, with queens who are obese and, with queens who birth small litters of relatively oversized kittens. These conditions are apt to occur in cat breeds with big heads and flat faces like Persians. It also frequently involves the birth of the first kitten or the last kitten.
If any of the following signs occur, call the veterinarian. It could help to save the life of the kittens as well as the mother
- No birth of a kitten after one hour of deep straining
- A kitten is visible in the birth canal after 10 minutes of strong labor
- A constant flow of fresh bleeding occurs 10 minutes during or after kittening
- Abrupt lethargy and fatigue
- Rectal temperature above 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) or below 97 degrees Fahrenheit (36 degrees Celsius) could mean the queen has an infection
- If labor ceases and the queen is agitated, anxious or weak
- Kittens should come down the birth canal 15 minutes to two hours apart. When the amniotic sac surrounding the kitten ruptures, birth of a kitten should take place within 30 minutes. There is cause for alarm if more than three hours pass between kittens. However, if the queen is relaxed and tending to her kittens without showing distress, she and the kittens to come should be fine.
Causes of Birth Difficulties in Cats
Mechanical Blockage: The "diving position" – exiting the birth canal with nose and feet first, and the back next to the vagina’s crown – is regularly how kittens are born. An oversized kitten or a kitten is situated wrong in the birth canal are the two main reasons for mechanical blockage.
- The kitten exits backwards from the birth canal with its hind feet or tail and hips showing first.
- The backwards position of presenting the tail or rump is called the breech position and if it occurs with the first kitten, it can really present a problem.
- Deviated head, where the head of the kitten is curved forward or sideways.
Uterine Inertia: When the uterine muscles become too weak, labor becomes futile. The uterus can’t generate contractions that are strong and effective. Reasons for uterine fatigue include:
- Having an extremely large litter
- A single very large kitten in a tiny uterus
- Distortion of the uterus
- Surplus of amniotic fluid as the result of a condition called hydrops amnion
Diagnosis of Birth Difficulties in Cats
Abnormal or difficult births in cats are typically caused by several factors, including uterine inertia, the birth canal is too small, the fetus crosses the birth channel in an atypical orientation, and/or the fetus is too large.
Veterinarians pay attention to the following situations and history:
- Previous history of dystocia or reproductive tract blockage
- Birth doesn’t occur within at least 24 hours once the rectal temperature drops to 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.7 degrees Celcius
- No kitten is born after the queen suffers severe abdominal contractions that last for more than two hours
- Pause in labor lasts more than four to six hours
- Obvious pain of the queen – howling, licking or gnawing at the vulva
- Odd discharge from the vulva before the kittens are born (possibility the placenta has separated)
- Pelvic trauma
- Prior births
The vet could also carry out a sterile digital exam to determine the degree of obstruction in the birth canal as well as the position and presentation of the fetuses. To determine the presence, mass, location and health of the fetuses, the veterinarian could also use radiography or ultrasound scans.
Should labor be prolonged, and the veterinarians cannot see or feel the kitten in the birth canal, an x-ray of the queen will help to determine the relative sizes and positions of the kittens.
A fractured pelvis is detrimental for queens. If a queen with a fractured pelvis becomes pregnant and it wasn’t known she had a fractured pelvis, she will have to undergo a surgery to give birth.
Veterinarians warn that a queen with a pelvic fracture should not get pregnant. X-ray scans, taken prior to pregnancy, are the way to determine if the queen suffers from this malady.
Treatment of Birth Difficulties in Cats
Medication: The source of some forms of uterine inertia is caused by a lack of oxytocin or calcium or both. To stimulate stronger contractions, the veterinarian may inject oxytocin (which is made by the pituitary gland) and calcium gluconate. There is danger associated with such injections, in that the uterus could rupture.
Cesarean Section: If birthing difficulties can’t be resolved by the use of drugs or obstetric treatment, the veterinarian will determine whether a cesarean section is necessary. The veterinarian will decide if this common procedure, which is used when all sorts of birthing problems are present, is the best choice for the mother. The vet will take the following into consideration:
- Length of labor
- Condition of the queen
- X-ray and testing results
- Kittens’ size relative to the queen’s uterus
- A dry vaginal canal
- Lack of response to oxytocin
In most cases, a cesarean section presents no problems, especially if the queen is young and healthy. The veterinarian performs the operation under general anesthesia. There may be major problems if the labor is excessive and drawn out and toxicity occurs, i.e. the kittens are stillborn and starting to decay or if the uterus ruptures.
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Recovery of Birth Difficulties in Cats
The veterinarian will consider medical management when obstruction of the birth canal and fetuses is constant, the appearance and location of the fetal position are correct, and there is no blockage in the birth canal. To encourage uterine contractions, the veterinarian could prescribe oxytocin. A cesarean section could be done if the oxytocin gets no reaction.
Surgery could be necessary for obstructive dystocia and birth difficulties along with distress or general poor health, extended active labor, primary uterine inertia and if health management is unproductive.
Within three hours of the surgery, the queen is expected to be stable, alert and capable of nursing her kittens. Reasons for having the cesarean section vary and just because the queen had the procedure when she had one litter does not necessarily mean that she will have to have another cesarean section when she has another litter.
Birth Difficulties Average Cost
From 536 quotes ranging from $400 - $1,000
Average Cost
$650
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Birth Difficulties Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
unknow
Eevee
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Unknown
My female cat had her third litter of kittens the other day she had three live, one full stillborn, and the strangest thing was she delivered just a head there was no body. My question is how does that happen and where is the body of the kitten. Ive looked all around and havent found anything like that, is it still inside her? she isnt in any discomfort she is playing again and affectionate like she was before, eating, drinking normally and tending to her three kittens like normal.
Sept. 2, 2018
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Unknown
Princess
1 Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Drowsiness
Weakness
Anxiety
Our Queen went into labor around 8pm last night. She hasn't had anymore kittens and seems fine. She's been eating and resting, but there are no more kittens. She continues to have mild contractions and feeds the newborn... But none of the others have come out since. It's currently 12:30pm the next day.
Aug. 28, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
If Princess had one kitten, and is continuing to have contractions, it would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian, as they can take an x-ray and see how many kittens are remaining, and treat her to help her have those kittens. I hope that all goes well for her.
Aug. 28, 2018
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Siamese
Bella
2 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Tired
My cat just had her babies and her placenta isn’t coming out could it be life threatening to her? We really need to know her babies just came out a few minutes ago and the umbilical cord wasn’t connected to the placenta
Aug. 27, 2018
1 Recommendations
The placenta normally follows soon after the kitten and the mother may eat the placenta before you have chance to see it; however if the placenta or any kittens are retained, it is a serious issue which may result in death if left too long. There is nothing which can be done at home for retained placenta and if you are concerned or it doesn’t pass you should visit your Veterinarian. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 27, 2018
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Dom
Tigress
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Relax
My cat (2 years old ) had her first litter yesterday around 3:30pm . She only delivered 1 kitten . It’s now been 24hrs since and still no other kittens and no other signs of my cat still being in labor . My cat isn’t distressed or showing any signs of being sick or in pain . She’s eating drinking sleeping and caring for her 1 baby very well . I’ve tried to feel her belly for any more kittens but I’m not sure what I’m feeling. Should I take her into the emergency vet ? She got pregnant her first time mating and she mated with my male cat which was his first time mating as well . Is it common to have only 1 kitten in a litter ? I’m just worried that something could happen to her . She was awoken all night looking for my affection and wanted me to rub her belly as well .
Aug. 22, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
It isn't common for cats to have one kitten, but it certainly does happen. She may only have one kitten. If she is comfortable, eating, not straining or trying to pass a kitten, and seems to be acting normally, you may be fine to continue to watch her. If she is pushing but not having a kitten, not eating, or seems lethargic, then she should be seen by a veterinarian.
Aug. 22, 2018
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American Short Hair
Honey
1 Year
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Deformed Kitten
Stillborn Litter
My cat Honey just this weekend passed the stuck kitten after 5 days of trying the kitten had no bones no face no tail no stomach either i dont think it had organs with what i felt it also had no umbilical cord but came out with the amniotic sac around it this weekend she drew very depressed from having 2 still borns and a misformed kitten so i took her out to the park while no kids were there she lit up and was checking everything out but it seems shes doing alright shes eating and drinking and going to the bathroom as normal but i dont know if its normal for an entire litter to die and have a deformed kitten in it
Aug. 20, 2018
1 Recommendations
If it took five days for Honey to pass the last kitten and it came out as described you should visit a Veterinarian immediately for an examination and explain to them what happened; it is important to determine the cause for the loss of the kittens and to ensure that Honey’s health hasn’t been affected. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 20, 2018
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KORAT i think
Luna
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
1 Kitten And Still Pregnant
3-4 Days 1 Kitten Still Pregnant
My cat Luna gave birth to 1 kitten on Friday July 18th in the afternoon when I wasn't home it is now Monday July 22nd and she still hasn't given birth to her other kittens I know she is still pregnant because I can feel the kittens moving when I touch her belly she is not in distress she is still eating and drinking her water still going to the litter just fine I'm curious if it's normal for cats because it's been 3-4 days already and I'm worried about her and the 1 kitten she had is doing great
Stay
Sweet Pea
1 Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Bleeding, Painful Movments
I have a small cat and she got pregnant and only her second Heat she had kittens yesterday only three of them two of them have died already and she won't feed the Third. Now my cat is walking like she's in pain her eyes look very funny something's very wrong I don't know what to do I don't have money for the vet right now I need help does anybody know what I can do and where I can go I tried carecredit.com but I was denied somebody please help me
Birth Difficulties Average Cost
From 536 quotes ranging from $400 - $1,000
Average Cost
$650
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
