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How long does a cat bleed after giving birth? Discharge in a cat after giving birth. Rules for caring for a cat during the postpartum period

A dangerous period in her life, because... During labor, a cat can easily become infected or injured.

Cat after birth: possible problems

. Your cat has greenish or reddish discharge for 2-3 weeks after giving birth

Greenish and reddish discharge in a cat after childbirth is normal, unless accompanied by fever, vomiting and diarrhea. Otherwise, you should consult a doctor.

. Cat panting frequently after giving birth

If the cat breathes frequently immediately immediately after giving birth, and this condition lasts no more than 5-10 minutes, then everything is fine. Otherwise, you should consult a doctor.

. The cat has diarrhea and/or vomiting after giving birth

Diarrhea and vomiting after giving birth in a cat are a sign that the cat has eaten too much afterbirth. Everything should go away within 24-48 hours. Otherwise, you should consult a doctor.

. The cat is constipated after giving birth

If a cat has constipation after giving birth, then, as always, in such cases, it is necessary to give the pet Vaseline or olive oil. If stool does not appear within 24 hours, you should consult a doctor.

. Cat peeing blood after giving birth

As a rule, owners only think that the cat is peeing blood after giving birth; in fact, discharge from the vulva ends up on the litter or mixes with urine. There is nothing wrong with this if the alarming symptom is recorded within 2-3 days after birth, but if the discharge has stopped, and the cat continues to pee in blood and its urination is painful, you should consult a doctor.

. Lactation disorders in cats

Lactation in cats is caused by the sucking of kittens; experienced cats themselves push the kittens towards themselves; to inexperienced cats, the owner must attach the cubs. If one of the nipples is retracted, then you need to massage it, and then attach the most active kitten to it.

Primiparous cats and cats with large litters may not have enough milk, in which case the kittens will have to be fed with a special mixture.

At the same time, there is no need to worry about a cat’s lack of milk if the kittens do not squeak and are steadily gaining weight. It is worth noting that milk flows to the nipples during feeding and is not present in them constantly, and the peak of milk production occurs on days 7-9, so it is almost impossible to check the presence of milk in a cat by pressing on the nipples.

A nursing cat should continue to be fed kitten food or food for pregnant and lactating cats.

. The cat has milk left

If the kittens died in the wild or immediately after, or were stillborn, and the cat’s mammary glands are still swollen and milk is produced, then there is no need to worry; as a rule, the milk disappears on its own. To speed up this process, you need to not water the cat for 12 hours and not feed it for 24-48, or switch to a low-protein diet (use food for castrates\increase the amount of vegetables and grains; stop using dairy products). Playing with the cat will also help - when she gets carried away, she will forget about the kittens.

If the mammary glands are painful to the touch, and the cat is worried and other signs of incipient breast cancer appear, then we recommend that you consult a veterinarian. In this case, the doctor will usually prescribe special medications: Lactostop, Galostop or mastomethrin. However, they should only be used as prescribed by a veterinarian!!!

To prevent cessation of lactation from being painful, kittens should be distributed no earlier than 1-1.5 months and it is best to do this gradually with a break of 2-3 days between kittens.

. Your cat's milk is too thick or yellowish or smells bad

Most likely, the milk is infected, the kittens need to be immediately switched to artificial feeding, and the cat needs to be taken to the veterinarian.

. The cat lies carelessly in its place and crushes the kittens

If a cat literally crushes the kittens with her body, the owner will have to monitor the cat’s actions and move her and the kittens for 1-2 weeks, while the kittens are small.

. The cat does not take care of the kittens' toilet

In the first days of kittens' lives, the cat should lick their waste products from them. If the cat does not do this, then it is recommended to lubricate the kittens’ butts with butter. If after this the cat ignores its responsibilities, then the owner will have to do everything.

. Cat leaves kittens

The cat does not have to sit next to the kittens around the clock. If the nest is warm enough, even newborn kittens can be left alone for several hours. It is enough that the cat feeds them on time, and the kittens do not squeak and snore peacefully in the nest. If the cat leaves the kittens for too long, see the next point.

. Cat refuses kittens

If a cat refuses kittens, it is necessary to check the presence of milk, determine if the cat is pregnant after giving birth, examine the kittens for any abnormalities, and provide peace and quiet for the cat and kittens. If you notice any complications in your cat after giving birth, consult your doctor immediately.

If the cat has no complications and the kittens are healthy, but your pet still refuses her children, then, alas, you will have to replace the kittens’ mother. For what you need to do, see our article “The cat abandoned her kittens.” However, if a cat is sick, then its owner will still care for and feed the kittens.

Cat after birth: complications

. Acute metritis in cats

Acute metritis in cats- This is an inflammation of the walls of the uterus.

Causes of acute metritis in cats after birth: unsanitary conditions, previous vaginitis, retained placenta in the uterus or birth canal, retained dead fetus in the uterus or birth canal, .

Signs of acute metritis in cats after birth: thick pasty red-green discharge from the vulva (2-7 days after birth), depression, lack of appetite, increased body temperature, leaving kittens without care, restlessness and death of kittens

Prevention of acute metritis in cats after birth: Sometimes the retained placenta partially protrudes from the cat’s birth canal, then you can carefully pull it out yourself, maintaining sterility.

Treatment of acute metritis in cats after birth: IMMEDIATELY take the cat to the doctor, transfer the kittens to artificial feeding.

. Eclampsia or tetany, milk fever in cats

Eclampsia in cats is an acute toxicosis caused by the leaching of calcium from the blood and leading to convulsive seizures.

Causes of eclampsia in cats after birth: lack of calcium in the blood due to a large number of fetuses or poor nutrition during pregnancy.

Signs of eclampsia in cats after birth: rapid breathing, pale mucous membranes, restlessness, abandonment of kittens, disorganized movements, convulsions, excessive salivation, increased temperature.

Treatment of eclampsia in cats after birth: Urgently call a doctor at home, complete rest for the cat, the kittens are transferred to artificial feeding (after the mother recovers, the kittens can be transferred to natural feeding again).

. Bleeding in cats after birth

Bleeding in cats after birth- this is the leakage of blood from damaged tissue of the vulva or uterus.

Causes of bleeding in cats after childbirth: ruptures of the uterus and vulva, accumulation of blood in the uterus due to various disorders of labor (multiple pregnancy, narrowness of the birth canal, large size of fetuses, unhealed sutures after cesarean section).

Signs of bleeding in cats: bleeding profusely during and/or after childbirth for more than 10 minutes.

Treatment of bleeding in a cat after childbirth: Contact your veterinarian IMMEDIATELY. If the external genitalia are damaged, sutures are applied; if the uterus is damaged, sutures can also be applied, but more often the uterus is removed.

. Eversion or prolapse of the uterus in cats

Uterine inversion in cats- this is a displacement of the uterus, as a result of which it is completely or partially turned outward by the mucous membrane.

Uterine prolapse in cats- This is a displacement of the uterus, as a result of which the organ falls out.

Causes of uterine inversion and prolapse in cats: uterine sagging, uterine hydrocele, large number of fetuses, too fast and dry birth, short umbilical cord of the fetus.

Signs of uterine inversion or prolapse in cats: part of the uterus protrudes from the vulva, the cat does not care for the kittens, strains and arches her back, urination and defecation are difficult.

Treatment of uterine inversion or prolapse in cats: Contact your veterinarian IMMEDIATELY. The uterus is sometimes reduced, but more often it is removed.

. Subinvolution of the uterus in cats

Subinvolution of the uterus in cats- this is a slowed reverse development of the uterus to the state inherent in the organ in a non-pregnant female.

Causes of uterine subinvolution in cats: a large number of fruits, too large fruits, polyhydramnios, disruption of the pituitary gland, poor nutrition.

Signs of uterine subinvolution in cats: absence of postpartum discharge (lochia), intoxication of cats and kittens, .

Treatment of uterine subinvolution in a cat: Contact your veterinarian IMMEDIATELY. Oxytocin and increased nutrition are prescribed. Kittens are transferred to artificial feeding.

. Congestive mastitis in cats

Congestive mastitis in cats is an inflammation of the mammary gland caused by an excess of milk.

Causes of congestive mastitis in cats: increased lactation caused by an excess of calcium in the blood and increased feeding.

Signs of congestive mastitis in cats: The mammary gland is painful and hot to the touch, there is no inflammation.

Treatment of congestive mastitis in cats after birth: wet and warm compresses on the affected gland, use of diuretics, expressing milk, reducing food portions for the cat.

. Acute septic mastitis in cats

Acute septic mastitis in cats is an inflammation of the mammary gland caused by infection.

Causes of acute septic mastitis in cats:, damage to nipples by kittens.

Signs of acute septic mastitis in cats: swollen painful mammary gland, blue-red color of the mammary gland, milk with blood or watery or yellowish or curdled, fever, apathy, loss of appetite.

In this article I will tell you why a cat bleeds after giving birth. I will describe the norm and pathology. Let me explain in what cases immediate hospitalization of your pet is necessary. I will list the main complications after childbirth.

The composition of postpartum discharge is an indicator of the cat's health status. The presence of blood clots and bleeding are opposite symptoms. Therefore, it is extremely important to be able to distinguish between them.

Normal discharge after birth in a cat

During the postpartum period, it is necessary to monitor the cat and monitor its well-being. Bleeding is considered normal if the animal is active, cares for offspring, toilets, eats well, and body temperature is not elevated.

This is the natural state of the body after childbirth. The uterus contracts and removes remaining tissue, fibers and bodily fluids. After giving birth, the cat’s body recovers for three weeks, which is what is considered normal for discharge. Therefore, on the second and third days it is normal if the cat is bleeding.

The secretion secreted by a cat may have a red or brownish color in the first days with various streaks and inclusions. Further (after 5 days) the discharge should become more transparent and lighter and end within the prescribed period.

The odor of the physiological fluid should be slightly “metallic”. Other “unpleasant” odors are a sign of infectious complications.


Danger of bleeding after childbirth

The birth process sometimes comes with complications. These may include soft tissue damage and unfinished childbirth. The consequence is heavy, uncharacteristic discharge and a sharp deterioration in the animal’s well-being.

Life-threatening signs are:

  • blood clots are bright scarlet;
  • mucus with numerous blood clots;
  • restless (fearful) behavior;
  • rapid breathing;
  • heartbeat disturbance.

These symptoms indicate tissue ruptures and require emergency hospitalization.

The second cause of postpartum hemorrhage is the incompleteness of the birth process. Occurs when all the kittens and afterbirth have not come out.

After each birth of a fetus, it is necessary to very carefully palpate the pet’s abdomen.

The interval between the births of kittens is 15-30 minutes. If more time passes, kittens can still be felt in the abdomen, the cat’s health deteriorates noticeably, bleeding begins - it is necessary to urgently hospitalize it.


The interval between the birth of kittens is 15-30 minutes

Possible postpartum complications

Childbirth is a complex physiological process. Sometimes, due to the poor health of the animal or anatomical features, as well as inept obstetric care on the part of the owner, complications occur.

Soft tissue ruptures

If there is heavy red bleeding (more than a few teaspoons every 10 minutes), the animal may go into shock.

In this case, the use of hemostatic drugs is necessary. If the animal bleeds longer, emergency surgery is required.


Inflammation of the walls of the uterus

Inflammation of the walls of the uterus (endometritis) is an infectious disease. The main reasons are unsanitary conditions of the premises (in which the birth takes place and the woman in labor continues to stay), incomplete expulsion of the placenta and a dead fetus. Main features:

  • copious and thick bloody-greenish discharge;
  • increased temperature, sometimes up to 40 degrees;
  • lack of appetite;
  • refusal to care for kittens.

Treatment and observation should be carried out by a veterinarian. It may be necessary to place the animal in a hospital for several days.


After childbirth, inflammation of the walls of the cat's uterus may occur.

Pyometra is inflammation of the uterus. It is characterized by the accumulation of purulent discharge in the uterine cavity. The animal's condition deteriorates sharply: the temperature rises, the dog becomes weaker, refuses to eat, becomes restless and looks frightened. Urgent surgery is required followed by removal of the uterus and ovaries.

In the absence of emergency veterinary care, the pet dies.

Vaginitis

Vaginitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the vagina or genitourinary system. Characteristic signs are white discharge with an unpleasant odor. May be the initial stage of development of pyometra. With timely treatment, the outcome is favorable.


If you detect any uncharacteristic discharge from your pet, abundant and with an unpleasant odor, accompanied by a deterioration in the cat’s well-being, an urgent visit to the veterinary clinic is necessary!

It is important to prepare in advance for the birth of your pet. A caring owner should know the peculiarities of the course of labor and the postpartum period. In the event of a threat to your pet’s life, be able to recognize the danger in time and immediately contact a veterinarian. Be aware of dangerous symptoms if an animal follows you and meows.

In the article, I talked about the characteristic normal and pathological postpartum discharge in a cat. She listed the main complications that arise during childbirth and the postpartum period. She explained in what cases the animal needs immediate hospitalization.

The first thing an owner can and should do is to carefully observe a cat that has just gone through childbirth. It is important to monitor her body temperature and secretions.

At first, a cat may have discharge after giving birth, blood may even flow, and if the body temperature does not rise, the cat is active and alert, takes care of the kittens and itself, then there is no need to worry, such discharge is normal.

After childbirth

Childbirth has recently passed, and the uterus contracts, while the remaining mucus is pushed out. Postpartum discharge of this type can normally continue for up to 21 days, during which time the pet should fully recover.

In the very first days, a cat’s discharge after birth may be red or brown, and may even contain green inclusions and veins; all these are normal variants. A “metallic” smell is also allowed, but foreign odors may be alarming.

Dangerous secretions

Sometimes childbirth is complicated, tissue is damaged and infection occurs; in all these cases, the discharge is prolonged and there is an odor. All this is already a reason to contact a specialist. During difficult births, the birth canal ruptures, the release of kittens or placenta may be delayed and this also provokes the onset of bleeding. Prolonged and severe bleeding can be fatal, so as soon as you suspect something is wrong, you should contact a veterinarian for help. Bleeding should not last more than 10 minutes; if during this time you see blood that is bright scarlet in color and it is difficult to confuse it with normal postpartum discharge, you will need help. It is also needed if mucus is released abundantly and a large number of clots are present.

If the discharge with blood is thick and has greenish inclusions, this indicates that inflammation is taking place in the walls of the uterus. The cause may be an incompletely released placenta or infection from the environment. Therefore, it is important to keep the cat’s “nest” clean. You can put a clean diaper under it; with normal discharge, such bedding will be enough for half a day.

Frequent injuries after childbirth

You can suspect postpartum injuries if there are the following signs in your cat’s behavior.

  • Heart rhythm is disturbed.
  • Breathing becomes rapid, and after a while shallow breathing can be observed.
  • The cat is acting restless.

Typically, such symptoms are observed when tissue ruptures. If the bleeding is not severe, the doctor may prescribe medications to help stop the bleeding. If the bleeding is severe and does not stop for a long time, then surgery will be required and it is important to contact a veterinarian as quickly as possible.

Inflammation of the uterus - signs

It happens that the infection enters the birth canal, causing inflammation of the uterine mucosa. This can happen both during childbirth and after it. Only on the 10th day will the cervix be completely closed, and until then the cat remains vulnerable to infection. In addition, the body is exhausted after childbirth, which means there is not enough strength to fight various infections. The main signs of inflammation, of course, include thick and frequent discharge; their color can range from bloody to greenish. The animal's body temperature rises and can reach 40.5 degrees. The cat is lethargic, does not take care of itself and the kittens, and mostly lies down. Of course, you need specialist advice. After conducting an examination, he will prescribe a drug such as oxytocin, which promotes faster contractions of the uterus. A course of antibiotics may also be needed. In any case, you should not self-medicate, as this can lead to the death of the animal. In this case, the kittens must be taken away from their mother immediately, because... they will have to be fed artificially, at least until the animal undergoes treatment.

Diseases accompanied by discharge

After giving birth, a cat may develop a disease such as vaginitis or inflammation of the genitourinary system. They are bothered by white discharge that has the consistency of milk.
These diseases can be dangerous for cats, because... She has a weakened immune system after giving birth. For vaginitis, treatment may be prescribed, but the cat will continue to feed the kittens, provided that the milk is not lost. But if antibiotics are prescribed, you can forget about breastfeeding.

If you, as an owner, are embarrassed by the cat’s discharge after giving birth, then it is better to call a veterinarian at home so as not to separate the pet from the babies. Perhaps in your case everything is not so bad and she will be able to feed them.

Postpartum period

As soon as the cat has given birth to all the babies, the postpartum period begins. Usually when everything is over, she is calm and relaxed, the animal spends a lot of time sleeping, restoring its strength. How can a caring owner help?

  • It is imperative to make sure that the cat has given birth to all the babies. Feel her tummy, it is important that there are no placenta or unborn kitten left in the uterus.
  • Pay attention to all the changes that occur in your pet after birth. What is her emotional state, how does she feel, the presence of discharge and changes in body temperature.
  • There is no need to unnecessarily approach the kittens, pick them up, or examine them. The new mother worries about this, especially if strangers are interested in the babies.
  • It is necessary to ensure cleanliness for the cat and kittens; clean rags or diapers must be laid in advance in the box where the family will live.
  • Everything you need (toilet, food bowl) needs to be moved closer to the box so that the mother is less away from the children.

The owner of a cat, whose pet gives birth for the first time, and has not previously witnessed such an impressive natural action, may be frightened when he notices that after labor, the discharge of the pet does not stop for a long time.

Are they complications or is this a natural process of recovery for the animal’s body? In any case, you should be prepared for possible complications and know how to help your cat.

A satisfied cat purrs, and the kittens synchronously testify to their vital activity - the torment of childbirth is over, and you can breathe freely. No matter how it is. The following days, ranging from 10 to 14 days, will be no less stressful than a couple of hours of labor.

To avoid finding yourself in a situation where you don’t understand what’s happening and don’t know what to do, learn a few simple rules:

  1. A little less than 2 weeks are needed to restore the new mother’s body. Only after this period will the cat be able to independently obtain food and lead a full life.
  2. After giving birth, a cat will continue to bleed for 1 to 3 weeks.
  3. Kittens that feed on their mother's milk play an important role in the cat's recovery. As in humans, lactation provokes a reaction in the nerve endings and stimulates contractions of the uterus to an acceptable size.
  4. During the reduction, the uterus expels the remains of the mucous membrane and tissue, which is natural discharge after childbirth. If there is no colostrum, massage the female's nipples and belly with a damp, warm towel.
  5. On the first or second day, the discharge will be brown or bloody, possibly with green streaks or patches.
  6. On the third day, more and more mucous will appear, transparent or pink in color. This usually happens until the fifth day.
  7. The discharge should not have a bad odor. Notes of “metal” are considered normal.
  8. Throughout the postpartum period, the cat is quite capable of caring for itself. Too many offspring or complications during childbirth will exhaust the animal. In this case, you may need help. Mommy will spend all her energy on caring for the babies, but won’t find it for herself. If you notice that the fur under her tail and on her hind legs is matted or damp, perform hygiene procedures. Wash your pet with a damp, warm towel until she can take care of herself. As a rule, the cat recovers quickly.
  9. The “nest” also needs to be looked after, and this is entirely your concern. The cat itself will not be able to change the bedding in the bed or box where it spends time with the kittens. A light, plain cloth is best to control the intensity and color of the discharge. The “correct” discharge is spotting. So, one diaper will be enough for half a day.
  10. Do not allow visitors to the cat and offspring, at least for the first time. The animal will experience stress in the presence of strangers, and this is the key to postpartum complications. Do not disturb the cat when feeding and do not touch the kittens again.

It is worth mentioning that during the first 10 days the cat’s cervix is ​​open, which increases the risk of infection entering the body.

More modern veterinarians do not recommend the use of additional labor-stimulating drugs unless clearly necessary and on the advice of a physician, especially at home.

But most, unfortunately, actively promote the use of Oxytocin. But there is a significant problem - this remedy can cause uterine rupture during childbirth. The only acceptable option for its use is to get rid of the placenta after the birth process itself. Only when you are sure that all kittens have already been born.

If postpartum discharge has a rich bloody tint, especially after using Oxytocin - 100%, there is tissue rupture.

If the bleeding is not severe, hemostatic agents can be used in combination with active therapy. Severe ruptures require surgical intervention.

Even if stimulating drugs were not used during childbirth, if there is bleeding and it lasts more than 10 minutes, this is a significant threat to the life of the animal. Call a veterinarian immediately.

A sign of an inflammatory process on the walls of the uterus is very thick and abundant discharge with green stains and blood. The main reason for this phenomenon is unsanitary conditions, due to which infection got inside. Depending on the severity of the case, treatment with antibiotics or even surgery is necessary.

An infectious disease is accompanied by the following symptoms:

  • increased body temperature;
  • dry nose;
  • obvious weakness of the animal.

Pyometra is an inflammation of the uterus, which is characterized by purulent discharge of gray, green or yellow color. This is a very dangerous disease that requires very aggressive treatment. Sterilization is even possible as an option to save a pet.

White discharge – the mucous membrane of the genitourinary system or vagina is inflamed.

Sometimes it happens that kittens are dead. In this case, you also need to immediately contact a veterinarian, there may be a lot of reasons for this.

What to do if your cat starts bleeding after giving birth? What are the main causes of complications and how to distinguish normal from abnormal blood loss? What complications can cause a cat to have bloody discharge from the noose? Let's take a closer look.

There are many reasons for the development of postpartum hemorrhage. During contractions and pushing, the cat's loop bleeds slightly and this is normal. Some bleeding after childbirth may also be normal, but bleeding on the second day or later after birth is a warning sign.

Like all mammals, in cats, after giving birth, the uterus returns to normal and shrinks to its “previous” size during the rehabilitation period. During the process of childbirth, all fetuses and placenta must be expelled from the uterine cavity, so even with a mild process, blood is released from the cat's loop.

Abnormally heavy bleeding may be a sign of dangerous complications. The riskiest of them is postpartum hemorrhage, which can occur for various reasons within two days after birth. On the third day, heavy hemorrhage is unlikely, and if the cat develops bleeding, you should suspect an infection or rupture of the uterine tissue.

Important! A common reason why blood comes from the loop after childbirth is the unfinished process of childbirth, that is, a kitten or placenta remains in the uterine cavity.

Normally, discharge from a cat's loop begins with contractions and intensifies as the effort approaches. During the first contractions, the owner may not notice the discharge, since the cat is carefully licking itself. A small amount of blood is released along with the amniotic fluid, which may be clear or yellow, green, or yellow-green in color.

Note! Some bleeding during labor is also normal. As soon as the pushing stops, the uterus will begin to shrink, expelling the remaining blood. At this stage the bleeding will increase slightly, but the discharge will be dark brown in color (clotted blood).

Within 48 hours after birth, the cat may experience slight bloody (spotting) discharge, which you can find on the litter. This discharge is explained by the fact that the uterus shrinks to normal size in about two days. If a cat has four or more kittens that are actively suckling, the uterine contraction process may be reduced to 24-36 hours.

Read also: How to understand that a cat is giving birth: the first harbingers of an imminent birth

In what cases is blood in a cat after childbirth an alarming sign? Excessive discharge of scarlet blood during or after childbirth is considered abnormal.

Important! Contact your veterinarian immediately if bleeding (even slight bleeding) does not stop within 48 hours after birth, the cat looks antique, refuses to eat or does not feed the kittens.

Along with the bleeding, you may notice that the discharge from the loop has a strong smell of rot. The color of the discharge can vary from dark brown to black, with green or yellow inclusions possible. This symptomatology indicates the process of decomposition of a kitten or placenta that has not left the uterus.

If more than two days have passed since the birth, urgent surgical intervention is necessary to save the woman in labor. If the period is less than 24 hours, medications to induce labor may help.

Complications leading to bleeding after childbirth

Let's look at the symptom of what complication postpartum bleeding can be. Let's start with the reason mentioned above - incomplete expulsion of kittens or placenta.

Many inexperienced owners believe that the end of pushing indicates the completion of the birth process. However, if the cat was not examined by ultrasound during the last stage of pregnancy, the owner cannot know the exact number of kittens that were due to be born. In this case, there is a risk that a dead kitten or the placenta of the last born cub will remain in the uterine cavity.

With such complications, the first alarming symptoms appear within 24-72 hours after birth.

  • The cat's appetite rapidly deteriorates, apathy appears, and as a result of painful sensations, the young mother abandons the kittens.
  • Brown discharge with a small amount of coagulated blood appears from the cat's vagina.
  • As complications develop, baseline body temperature constantly rises.
  • When you palpate your cat's abdomen, you will find that the abdominal muscles are tense and she is reacting to pain.

If symptoms are detected in time and correctly interpreted, conservative treatment is used to resolve the situation. After stimulating additional pushing and cleaning the uterine cavity, the woman in labor is prescribed a course of broad-spectrum antibiotics to prevent the development of a bacterial infection. If more than a day has passed since the birth, the veterinarian will have to perform castration - remove the uterus.

Read also: Complications in a cat after childbirth: types, signs, treatment

The second common complication is metritis or inflammation of the uterus. The complication can develop within 3 days after the completion of labor. When metritis develops, the cat looks depressed and clearly sick. When measuring the temperature, it will be found that it is elevated. From the first day of the development of the malaise, the young mother refuses to eat, abandons the kittens and ignores drinking, which quickly leads to dehydration.

Note! With metritis, a cat may develop diarrhea and vomiting, against which severe dehydration is inevitable.

With metritis, bloody discharge from the genital tract has a characteristic unpleasant odor. Quite often there is pus in the blood. When you feel the belly of a young mother, you will feel that the abdominal wall is tense. Despite severe pain and muscle tone, an enlarged uterus is felt upon palpation.

Metritis develops against the background of rapid proliferation of pathogenic bacteria. The condition is alleviated by a course of antibiotics, but treatment may not be effective if the spectrum of the drug is chosen incorrectly. Positive dynamics should appear on the first day after the start of treatment. If no positive dynamics are observed after 24–48 hours, the only way to save the cat is through surgery followed by removal of the uterus.

A less common, but no less dangerous complication is this O uterine prolapse. Typically, such complications result from a difficult birth. In human terms, during childbirth, the cat literally pushes out or inverts the uterus, which leads to protrusion from the birth canal and severe bleeding.

With prolapse, the clinical picture develops very quickly, and the symptoms are very similar to rupture of the uterine walls. In both cases, severe bleeding is observed, which must be stopped as soon as possible. Further treatment is carried out with the help of surgery, as a result of which the uterus will be removed and its stump will be reduced.

The most dangerous complication after giving birth to a cat is perforation of the uterus or rupture of its walls. Such a violation does not occur without a reason; usually the cat has problems during pregnancy. Prolonged labor, when the cat is in contractions for more than 12 hours or pushing for more than 2 hours, can also cause rupture of the walls of the uterus.

Ruptures in the walls of the birth canal are often caused by manipulations performed by the owner or veterinarian when the kitten gets stuck during expulsion. To remove a stuck kitten from the birth canal, it is necessary to use lubricants, at least Vaseline oil. The kitten is pulled up only during pushing! Forced or abrupt removal of the kitten from the birth canal is guaranteed to lead to overstretching or rupture.