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Overview:
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Most queens (mother cat)
require little or no assistance during the delivery & are able to successfully
raise a litter without our assistance. However, the prudent carer should be
aware that there will be some requirements to help the queen stay healthy & well
so she is able to care for her new family. |
Immediately
after the birth:
Count how many placentas have
been delivered, ie; two kittens, two placentas, three kittens, three placentas
etc., to ensure that none have been retained. If you are not sure that
they have all been delivered, check with your veterinarian.
Once the kittens have been
born, the soiled bedding should be replaced with clean, dry bedding, but try to
do so with as little disruption to the queen & kittens as possible.
General
Care:
Ensure the queen is provided
with comfortable, warm area to care for her kittens. It should be in a quiet & safe
area. The new mother will rarely leave the nest over the next few days.
Within 24 hours of the birth,
your queen should see a veterinarian for a check up. He will be able to feel for
any undelivered kittens & make sure everything is healing as it should. A
small amount of vaginal discharge is present for 7 - 10 days post queening. The discharge is reddish
brown in colour & should not be odorous. Discharge which have an
offensive odour, is bright red, profuse or lasts longer than 3 weeks should be
immediately reported to your veterinarian. This is a medical emergency.
Feeding
during lactation:
The queen has delivered her
kittens, a meal should be offered to her, she may or may not eat it.
A lactating queen will need to
consume two to three times the number of calories that she required prior to
becoming pregnant. Without these
additional calories, she cannot produce enough milk to feed her kittens.
She should be provided as much food as she wants & have constant access to fresh
water.
A high quality food designed
for kittens is recommended.
Postpartum
complications:
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Postpartum hemorrhage: As
stated above, some discharge is normal, but if the discharge is bright red, or
there is an excessive volume seek immediate veterinary help.
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Mastitis:
Mastitis (inflammation of the
mammary gland) occurs when the lactating queens mammary gland(s) becomes
inflamed, blocked or infected. Symptoms include pain, heat & swelling of the
affected gland(s), fever, milk may be bloody, yellow or thick, the queen
may refuse to let her kittens nurse from the affected gland, the queen may
become depressed & lose her appetite & become dehydrated, lethargy, sick or
dying kittens.
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Acute Metritis: This is
inflammation of the lining of the uterus (endometrium)
post partum. It is most commonly caused
by a bacterial infection. It can be caused by retained placentas or kittens,
or unsanitary conditions. Symptoms include; lethargy,
vomiting,
diarrhea,
anorexia,
fever, foul smelling, dark discharge from the vagina.
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Agalactia (complete lack of
milk supply) & dysgalactia (decreased milk supply): This may be caused by
inadequate nutritional support of the queen, large litter size, deformed
nipple(s) or occasionally caesarean sections. Suckling should be encouraged as
this assists with milk production (the more stimulation, the more milk is
produced). Fresh drinking water should be available at all times, and she
should be provided with as much high quality food as she wants. By the second
week of lactation, she will require up to three times the amount of calories
as a non pregnant cat. Kittens may cry & fail to thrive. Your veterinarian may
recommend you supplement the litter or he may prescribe a medication to assist
with milk production or both.
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Eclampsia (milk fever,
puerperal tetany): This life threatening condition occurs when
the levels are depleted in the lactating queen resulting in
hypocalcemia. Signs of eclampsia include
restlessness, anorexia, walking with a stiff gait, high temperature, increased
respiration rate, trembling, convulsions.
What to look out for;
If you notice any of the above,
seek veterinary help immediately.
Pregnancy:
Cats will come into heat quite
quickly after the birth, therefore it is important to ensure she is kept away
from entire male cats to prevent another pregnancy too quickly.
Related
articles:
Estrus in Cats,
Pregnancy in Cats,
Birth in Cats,
Raising
Orphaned Kittens,
Raising Premature Kittens
Please note:
The medical
articles on this site have not been written by a veterinarian &
should not be considered a replacement for a veterinarian visit.
The articles are provided for informative purposes only & should
not be used for
the diagnosis or treatment of any
medical condition.
Always seek
immediate veterinary advice for any problems (health or
behavioral) in your pets.
While great care
has been made in the creation of these articles, we cannot
guarantee the accuracy or omissions on these pages. If in any
doubt whatsoever, seek professional medical advice.
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