Injections for giving birth to a cat. How to deliver a cat at home. Premature birth in a cat: how to help

You still don’t know how to help a giving birth cat? In this article we will try to answer this question in detail and analyze all the points, from preparing the nest to labor.

Any cat may need help during birth. The opinion that cats always give birth without problems is wrong. Yes, basically, no pathologies arise during the birth process of a pet, but you need to be prepared for anything. Especially if you are really looking forward to the birth of kittens, for example, for sale.

Setting up a nest

The birth of kittens is always a big stress for your pet. That is why it is very important to prepare the nest for birth in advance and try to accustom the animal to it. As a nest, you can use a spacious box that has a lid on top. So that the cat can easily get inside, it is necessary to cut a hole in the side. Do not place soft blankets on the bottom of the box. The best option is several layers of paper or baby diapers (they will most likely have to be thrown away).

The box should be placed in a warm, quiet and dark place where there are no drafts. Place a trash can, food and water in this room for your pet. And so the question: “How to help a giving birth cat?” Without taking you by surprise, we will tell you a little about the signs of pregnancy and the onset of labor in an animal.

Signs of pregnancy and impending birth

If you know the day of mating, it will be easier to determine the approximate due date. A cat bears kittens for approximately 65-67 days. Her belly begins to enlarge, her appetite increases, her nipples enlarge, becoming bright pink.

In the last days of pregnancy:

• Colostrum begins to be released from the animal's chest.
• The stomach drops.
• Body temperature decreases.
• Mucus is discharged from the vagina.

In addition, the cat begins to look for a place suitable for giving birth. You will notice that she hides in the closet, explores the distant corners of the room, etc.

On the day of birth, the animal refuses food, goes to the toilet very often, and then, when attempts appear, it begins to give birth. If your pet is giving birth for the first time, be prepared to provide all possible assistance.

Preparing in advance

Before you help a pregnant cat give birth, you need to prepare in advance. Purchase sterile gloves, petroleum jelly or lubricant, betadine solution and a pipette from the pharmacy. You should also have scissors on hand (make sure they are sterile). It is advisable to put a heating pad in the box in which the kittens will later lie so that the babies do not freeze and quickly adapt to new conditions.

Day of birth

How to help a cat give birth for the first time? Many people ask this question. On the day of birth, you need to be especially careful, because your pet may need help at any time.

You will definitely notice that your cat's behavior on the day of delivery has changed dramatically.

• On the day of birth, a previously calm cat begins to constantly walk around the rooms, try on the nest an infinite number of times and often lick the genitals.
• Rectal temperature drops by about 2 degrees.
• The cat's breathing quickens, and as the pain increases, she begins to purr and even scream.
• The animal's vagina swells and bloody or yellow discharge appears.

This is the first stage of labor and can last from 12 to 24 hours. You may not have to think about how to help your cat give birth to kittens, but it will be useful to support her morally (pat her belly and talk to her). Be close to your pet.

Stages of childbirth in a cat

First stage of childbirth accompanied by contractions mixed with pushing. Under the influence of pushing, the kittens move along the birth canal.

The second stage of labor is the birth of kittens. First, amniotic fluid comes out, then part of the kitten appears. Kittens, like people, are born head first. With another presentation, the cat will need your help. It happens that a kitten moves its feet forward; this is not a pathology.

After the birth of a kitten, the cat releases it from the amniotic sac, licks it, and chews the umbilical cord. After the cub began to breathe and scream, she puts it to her chest. This is a normal birthing process for cats.

During the third stage of labor, the state of the cat's uterus becomes calm after the birth of each baby. Following the kitten, the placenta appears, which the cat eats. To prevent your cat from vomiting or diarrhea after giving birth, it is best not to let her eat more than two placentas. The quiet period of the uterus lasts about fifteen minutes, after which labor resumes.

If your cat gives birth as described above, you won't be thinking about how to help your cat give birth. The main thing here is to count the number of kittens and afterbirths. If you miss one placenta, it means it has not come out, and this can lead to a serious inflammatory disease.

Remember that after several kittens are born, labor may stop for a period of 12 to 36 hours. This phenomenon is quite normal, don't worry.

When might a cat need your help?

So, the cat gives birth for the first time. How to help, you do not know. It is important to understand here that there are signs that directly indicate that the pet needs help. Here they are:

• Part of the kitten has already appeared, but it cannot be born because it is stuck.
• The emerging kitten is not breathing.
• The cat did not release the baby from the amniotic sac.

If the pet cannot bite the umbilical cord.

The afterbirth does not come out for a long time.

We provide assistance to a giving birth cat

How to help a cat give birth faster? If the kitten is stuck in the birth canal, lubricate the animal's vagina with Vaseline or lubricant. This usually helps. If it doesn’t help, then you need to start examining your pet. To do this, lubricate the vulva with betadine solution and put on sterile gloves. Next, you need to insert your finger into the animal’s vagina, without touching the anus, and place your other hand on the stomach, closer to the pelvis. Try to turn the baby along the birth canal. Here it is important to determine the presentation of the kitten.

If the baby comes out head first, but his head is turned to the side or his chin protrudes forward, you need to do the manipulations described below. So, how to help a giving birth cat in this case?

• Gently insert your finger into the baby's mouth.
• We carefully turn the kitten's head so that it can continue to pass through the birth canal without hindrance.
• To prevent the kitten from coming back, press on the cat's perineum, at the bottom of the anus. This will cause the pet to start pushing.

This method also helps if the baby moves forward with its sacrum. But here, during the examination, you need to hook the kitten’s paws one by one and move them along the birth canal.

What if the fetus is large?

How to help a cat give birth to a large kitten? Even if he moves head first, his shoulder area can prevent birth. We fix the problem in this way:

• After lubricating the vagina, insert your finger inside and try to feel the elbow bends of both paws of the kitten one by one.
• Grab each paw at the shoulder joint.
• Turn the baby from side to side, try to alternately stretch its paws forward.
• If the baby is in the lower part of the birth canal, force the pet to push. To do this, stretch the vagina.

Freeing the kitten from the amniotic sac

If the cat has not released the baby from the amniotic sac within one minute after the birth, you need to do the following:

• Break the bubble quickly.
• Take the newborn out and wrap him in cloth.
• Next, you need to hold the baby’s head and bend his body into an arc so that his knees reach his chest. If you do this several times, the baby will begin to breathe.
• If necessary, remove any remaining amniotic fluid from the mouth and nose with a pipette.

Rub the baby with a terry towel. If breathing does not appear, perform artificial respiration.

What to do if the afterbirth does not come out?

We figured out how to help a cat give birth at home. But what to do if the afterbirth does not come out?

In this case, you need to put on sterile gloves, carefully insert your finger into the animal’s vagina and try to remove the afterbirth. If all else fails, call the veterinarian to your home.

How to tie a kitten's umbilical cord yourself?

It happens that for certain reasons a cat is not able to gnaw the umbilical cord. She usually has to chew through it within fifteen minutes after the baby is born. If this does not happen, you will have to get help.

• Squeeze the umbilical cord with your fingers at a distance of four centimeters from the baby's tummy.
• Take a clean thread and tie off the umbilical cord.
• Sterile scissors
• Treat the cut with an antiseptic solution.

When do you need to urgently contact the veterinarian?

It happens that you know how to help a cat giving birth, but you can’t do it without the help of a veterinarian. There are several signs that your pet needs urgent medical attention.

First of all, keep track of how many days the animal's pregnancy lasts. If the term "passed" for 70 days, you need to urgently contact a veterinarian.

Pay attention to the animal's body temperature. If a cat has a fever, then this is an occasion to call a doctor.

You should be concerned about bright bloody discharge from your pet's vagina, especially if the bleeding continues for more than 10 minutes.

Have you heard an unpleasant, pungent odor from your vagina? Contact your veterinarian immediately.

If a cat has strong contractions that last two hours, and labor has not yet occurred, then you cannot do without the help of a specialist. It happens that two kittens try to pass into the birth canal at the same time.

If the first stage of labor lasts more than a day, or you see that the baby is stuck and you are unable to help it, the cat needs urgent qualified help.

What if the baby was born dead?

Unfortunately, it happens that kittens are born dead. There can be many reasons for the tragedy; often people do not know how to help a cat give birth to a dead kitten, and they turn to a veterinary clinic.

If you see that a cat has given birth to a dead kitten, first of all, do not panic. Newborn babies may merely appear dead due to strong contractions, low indoor room temperatures, or mucus blocking the airways.

Clear the kitten's airways with a pipette, dry it, stimulate breathing by holding it slightly upside down by its hind legs, and place it in a box with a warm heating pad. Persistently attach such kittens to the cat's chest.

The baby may still be born due to the long period of childbirth. Therefore, if you notice that a cat has given birth to several kittens, but one or two fetuses are felt when palpating her abdomen, you need to contact a veterinarian. A cat may have breaks during labor, but it’s still better to be on the safe side. You should be especially alarmed by a break of more than twelve hours.

Even the cat helps the cat give birth!

Who would have thought that even a cat helps a cat give birth! Vietnamese resident Thuy Duong Panda has a cat named Yello and a cat named Tam Do. When Tam Do gave birth, her partner did not leave her side and provided all possible assistance, supporting and reassuring her.

The couple gave birth to four healthy kittens, and this was Tam Do's first birth. The kittens' father supports his beloved even after giving birth.

Take care of your pets, do not be afraid to help. You will not harm the kittens, but you will help the cat and her cubs cope with difficulties. Moreover, if necessary, you can always call a veterinarian who will tell you what to do in this or that case.

If your cat's pregnancy is progressing well, it is advisable for the birth to take place at home, where the cat will feel protected. If any pathologies occur, the woman in labor must be taken to a veterinarian. But it happens that unexpectedly during childbirth something goes wrong, and then the cat needs help.

• Show all

  How does childbirth go without complications?

  The onset of labor is usually accompanied by a loud meow from the woman in labor. The birth of kittens begins with the release of amniotic fluid. Then, about a few hours before the birth of the first kitten, weak contractions begin and increase in intensity until the cervix is ​​completely dilated. After the uterus opens, contractions become rhythmic, from which we can conclude that kittens will soon be born. The norm is considered to be contraction of the uterine muscles at intervals of 2-3 minutes; the woman in labor can take a sitting position. The water bubble comes out first, then the head or paws of the first kitten are shown. Each subsequent newborn is born within half an hour, sometimes within an hour. After the last kitten is born, you need to make sure that the cat has removed the amniotic sac from each one. Usually she removes the pouch herself and begins to lick the children, after which they begin to breathe. You also need to examine the placenta, its quantity should match the number of kittens. Then pay attention to the umbilical cord. The cat must chew it itself.

  Complications during childbirth in a cat (pathological birth)

  Any anomalies negatively affect the health of both cats and kittens. The most common cause of complications during childbirth is weak labor (weak contractions of the cat's uterus). There are two types of this phenomenon:

  1. 1. The primary slight tone of the uterus is that the body does not have the required amount of a hormone called Oxytocin. It enters the blood from the pituitary gland and affects the frequency of uterine contractions. Often PLTM (primary light uterine tone) is associated with a lack of calcium. In most cases of difficult births, it turns out that the cat has a deficiency of both hormones. In such cases, injections are given using medications such as Pitocin (Oxytocin) and calcium gluconate. They will help the uterus contract stronger and more frequently.
  2. 2. Secondary slight tone of the uterus is that the organ stops contracting due to severe exhaustion of the cat during labor. VLTM occurs when childbirth is much more difficult and longer than the animal’s body can withstand.

  

  There are three stages of labor:

  • The first stage is characterized by the occurrence of uterine contractions and the opening of the cervix (readiness to give birth). In this case, the cat begins to purr strongly, which allows her to relax.
  • The second stage is when the kitten is pushed out of the uterus. The birth process lasts on average fifteen hours. With pathology, childbirth can take place over seventy-two hours, and this is considered normal.
  • The third stage lies in the exit of the birth place. With multiple pregnancy, the cat passes from the third stage to the second, and so on several times. It is necessary to ensure that there should be exactly as many birth places as there are kittens born. If there is a discrepancy, it is better to take the cat to the doctor.

  

  Childbirth with complications. How can I help a woman in labor?

  Problems during childbirth are rare. But you need to prepare for different developments in the process. First you need to check if all medicines and disinfectants are in the first aid kit, sterile wipes, scissors, petroleum jelly, Oxytocin (will help induce labor), sterile gloves, medical alcohol, syringes, etc. There may be no need to use medicines, but they should be in the first aid kit.

  When and how to use medications:

  • Vaseline is necessary when a kitten is born, when the head is already visible, and the cat cannot push it out.
  • Gloves will come in handy if a kitten is born but the placenta has not been delivered. Then you need to get it yourself. If this is not done on time, the woman in labor will experience blood poisoning. The open birth canal is susceptible to attack by microbes, after which the uterus becomes inflamed, so you need to act quickly.
  • If the cat itself does not cope with attempts and fails to give birth, it is necessary to use the drug Oxytocin. The injection dosage is 0.2 ml intramuscularly.

  But there are cases when you need to immediately contact a veterinarian. If the birth is delayed and the cat gives birth for the second day, her temperature rises, blood discharge appears, she is shaking. Even if it is not possible to go to the hospital, a doctor's consultation can be obtained by calling.

  

  What not to do during childbirth?

  During the birth process it is not allowed:

  • use human disinfectants;
  • pulling newborns' limbs;
  • turn on bright lights in the room after the kittens are born, they may have vision problems in the future.

  It is also important to ensure that the cat does not eat more than two afterbirths.

  

  How to understand that veterinary help is vital

  Calling a doctor or an urgent trip to the clinic is necessary in the following cases:

  1. 1. More than one hour has passed since the beginning of the first contraction, or the contractions are weak.
  2. 2. The cat's body temperature has risen or fallen.
  3. 3. The cat began to feel noticeably worse, lies and does not move.
  4. 4. The fetus is stuck.
  5. 5. The cat's heartbeat is disturbed and it begins to shake.

  Caesarean section in a cat

  If a cat fails to give birth at home, the owner cannot help on his own and urgent hospitalization is necessary. Usually, the doctor decides whether to perform a caesarean section on a woman in labor or not.

  

  Caesarean section is usually done in cases of:

  • If the pregnancy exceeds 71 ​​days, the fetus generally dies in the womb, but it is possible that the kittens are alive but post-term. In this case, a diagnosis is made - a large fetus.
  • Narrow birth canal.
  • Weak labor or prolonged labor. Use medication. If it does not help, emergency surgery is indicated.
  • Multiple pregnancy. The norm is considered to be from one to six fetuses in the womb, but sometimes the number of kittens reaches 12-13, then there is a need for surgery.
  • Age of the cat. This applies not only to old-time cats, but also to young cats. The optimal age for childbirth is from two to three years.

  During the operation, the cat is under anesthesia, the doctor makes an incision and removes the uterus, makes incisions and takes out the kittens. Then the placenta is removed from the uterus and treated with anti-inflammatory, disinfectants.

  Immediately after birth, it is necessary to tidy up the nest, replace the diapers with clean and light ones so that the color of the discharge can be seen on them. It is necessary to check that all kittens are actively suckling their mother.

  You also need to watch the cat itself, to monitor how much afterbirth it has eaten. Overeating may cause vomiting and diarrhea. Usually these symptoms disappear on their own, and the cat's stomach should be soft. It is imperative to monitor her mental state. Poor appetite, lethargy, depression and apathy are alarming signs that, if detected, should be contacted by a veterinarian.

Most cats do not experience difficulties during the birth of their offspring; this process is easy for them. But in particularly difficult cases, the owner should come to the rescue, which is why everyone should know how to induce labor in a cat. For this there are folk remedies, special preparations for stimulation.

When you need help

Is it possible to induce labor in a cat on your own? In some cases, it is not only possible, but also necessary. As a rule, pregnancy in cats lasts 55-60 days. A slight delay in the birth of kittens is normal, but if the animal does not give birth 68-70 days after mating, measures must be taken. The babies grow in the mother's womb, becoming larger and larger, and the larger the kittens, the more complications the birth will be.

Folk tricks

To induce labor in your pet, you can use several cunning techniques based on mechanical action. The animal must be placed in the position in which it relieves itself and the abdomen must be massaged with gentle movements. The owner then puts on gloves, carefully coats the index finger with Vaseline and inserts it no more than a centimeter into the pregnant cat's vagina. Then the abdominal massage is repeated.

Medicines

You can induce labor in a cat at home using certain medical products.:

• Oxytocin. It causes contractions of the uterus and helps speed up the labor process. This synthesized hormone can only be used after consultation with a veterinarian.
• Travmatin. Relieves pain and helps regulate contractions, helps avoid complications and injuries while the animal is giving birth, promotes healing and prevents inflammation.
• Gamavit. Stimulates the uterine muscles, facilitates childbirth in difficult cases.
• Calcium gluconate. Not only stimulates labor, but also helps milk production.

In order not to harm your cat, you should carefully read the instructions for the medications and be sure to consult a veterinarian.

How to act

If there is a need to induce contractions in a cat, you need to use Oxytocin. This drug will help strengthen the tone of the muscle tissue of the uterus before labor begins. The medicine is administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously; its effect begins within 2-3 minutes after the injection. It is very important to observe the dosage, otherwise complications may arise up to the death of kittens.

How much drug should I use? For cats, the following dosage should be used: 0.2-0.3 ml by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection, the injection is given between two contractions. If there is no result within 1/3 hour, the drug is re-introduced at the same dose. The maximum number of injections is 3, if there is no effect, it is impossible to increase the dosage - this will lead to negative consequences.

How to give an injection? To help your pet give birth to offspring, you should inject the drug into the withers. To do this, the animal’s skin is grabbed with one hand and an injection is made into the hollow formed at the back. It is important to puncture the skin and inject the drug between the skin and muscles.

The intramuscular injection is easy. The optimal place for the injection is the thigh, the paw is held with one hand, and the syringe needle is inserted at an angle with the other hand. After the procedure, the injection site should be gently massaged, this will help the drug dissolve faster. Similar injections are given if the cat carries the pregnancy to term.

It is extremely important to wash your hands thoroughly before injection and use only sterile instruments. The same needle cannot be used twice.

Gamavit for obstetrics

• It helps to avoid uterine rupture due to excessively large offspring;
• It prevents diseases such as endometritis and pyometra.
• Reduces the risk of birth and postpartum complications.
• Allows the animal to quickly return to normal after birth.

The product is used by injection - intravenous, subcutaneous and intramuscular. To speed up the absorption of the medicine into the blood and induce labor, the injection should be given under the shoulder blade. In agreement with the veterinarian, the drug can be given to the cat to drink. For an adult cat, the dosage of the drug for one injection can be from 1 to 1.5 ml.

Gamavit and calcium gluconate

If a pet had a difficult birth or the owner had to stimulate it, then the cat is in a weakened state. You can help her with an injection of Gamavit, a veterinary drug based on placental emulsion. And calcium gluconate will help normalize metabolism.

Premature birth

If you decide to induce premature labor in your cat, you should be aware of the possible negative consequences:

• Kittens may be born weak.
• There is a high risk of death of the offspring.

If the animal has been in labor for more than 8 hours and the kittens have still not appeared, you should immediately call a veterinarian. Also a sign of complications are uterine prolapse, fever, and discharge.

Whether you're a purebred breeder or the owner of a pregnant cat, it's important to know what to do when your cat goes into labor and starts having kittens. As a rule, pregnancy in cats lasts 65-67 days, so when you know for sure that your cat is pregnant, start preparing for the birth. In this article we will tell you how to do this.

Steps

Preparing for childbirth

Look for signs of pregnancy in your cat. You should pay attention to some signs that will help you understand if the cat is pregnant.

• Most often, cats' nipples turn pink and increase in size, their bellies swell, and estrus stops.

1. Take your cat to the doctor. When you know that your cat is pregnant (or when you at least suspect pregnancy), take the animal to an appointment with a veterinarian.

   Adjust your cat's diet in the third trimester. During the third trimester (starting around day 42 or when the belly becomes noticeable) your cat's food needs will change, so make sure she is getting all the nutrients she needs and the amount of food she needs.

   • During the first two trimesters, feed your cat as usual.
   • In the third trimester, start giving your cat kitten food. It contains more calories for less volume. Because the kittens will put pressure on the stomach, the cat will not be able to eat much, so it is best to feed the cat kitten food.

2. Make a nest for your cat. Cats need a warm, calm and safe place to give birth, and your cat will be looking for such a place before labor begins. Your cat will start preparing the nest a few days before she gives birth, and this will be a great opportunity to show her the area you have already prepared for her.

   • It is best to install the nest in the bathroom. Make sure there are no children or dogs running past the cat all the time. The cat should be comfortable and calm in the nest.
   • The cat should have access to fresh water, a small amount of food and a litter box (this should be placed a meter from the nest to prevent the development of diseases).
   • Take a large cardboard box with high edges and put inside it old soft things that you don't mind: towels, bulky blankets, newspapers, and so on.
   • Whatever items you choose, they should not have a strong smell, as mother and kittens recognize each other by smell.

3. Prepare your cat for birth. Continue to give her quality food and watch for changes in her appetite. Lack of appetite indicates that labor is approaching.

   Prepare for childbirth yourself. It is important to prepare not only a nest, food, water and tray, but also everything necessary in case of an emergency.

   Monitor the duration of your pregnancy. Duration may vary. The most common reason for this is that it is sometimes difficult to determine the exact date of conception, but if the pregnancy lasts longer than 67 days, the animal should be seen by a doctor.

   Look for signs of complications. It is important to pay attention to unusual discharge and poor health.

   • Unusual discharge. There should be no vaginal discharge during pregnancy. Greenish-yellow discharge may indicate a uterine infection, bright green discharge may indicate placental separation, and bloody discharge may indicate placental rupture. If you notice any discharge, take your cat to the vet immediately.
   • Bad feeling. Pregnancy puts stress on the body and can weaken the immune system. If your cat feels unwell (vomiting, diarrhea, sneezing and refusing to eat), contact your veterinarian.

Assistance during childbirth

1. Keep your distance. Accept that, for the most part, your cat won't need you. However, your presence will help your cat calm down.

   • Stay at a distance that will not allow you to intrude on the animal's personal space, but will allow you to intervene if something goes wrong.
   • Be prepared for possible complications and know the signs.

2. Know the signs of contractions. Find out what symptoms indicate your cat is going into labor. Contractions are usually just the first stage of labor and can take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. Look out for the following signs:

   • Restlessness, looking for a place to hide (show the cat the nest)
   • Excessive licking of the entire body, especially the vagina
   • Heavy and ragged breathing
   • Rumbling and loud screams
   • A decrease in temperature by 1-2 degrees from normal (38.9 degrees Celsius)
   • Refusal to eat
   • Nausea
   • If you notice that your cat has bloody discharge, take the animal to the doctor immediately. Bleeding before labor begins most often means something has gone wrong and should be addressed by a veterinarian.

3. Wash your hands and treat them with antiseptic in case your help is needed. Remove your watches and rings and wash your hands with antibacterial soap. Rub the backs of your hands and extend slightly beyond your wrists. You should wash your hands with soap and water for at least 5 minutes, constantly rubbing them with soap. Clean the area under your nails with an old toothbrush or a special nail brush.

   • Do not use antiseptic hand gel! It doesn't kill all germs, and you don't want your cat to lick the remains off the kittens - this can cause poisoning.
   • You will wash your hands just in case - the cat must accept the kittens herself. You should only intervene if the kitten is in danger. Return the kitten to its mother as soon as possible.

4. Monitor the birth of all kittens. Once the cat is in the nest and labor begins, remain calm, alert, and watch for kittens. Both you and the environment in the room should be calm. If you are disturbed, if there are other animals nearby, or if you move the cat to an unfamiliar place, labor may be delayed. When labor enters the second phase, the following will happen:

   Make sure your cat removes the amniotic sac (fetal sac) from each kitten and licks all of her babies. Typically, the cat removes the pouches by licking the kittens quickly and frequently. A few seconds after this, the kittens should begin to breathe.

   • If the cat does not remove the bubble immediately, break it with your hands so that the kitten can breathe. Remember to keep your hands clean and wearing gloves. Dry the kitten's face with a clean, dry towel.
   • If possible, give the kitten to its mother immediately. If necessary, place the kitten near the cat's nose so that she begins to lick it. If the cat does not pay attention to the kitten and it becomes wet and starts to tremble, rub the kitten with a clean, dry towel. This will make the kitten squeak, which will attract mom's attention and increase her interest in him. After this, you can put the kitten with the cat.

5. Pay attention to the placenta. The cat will have one placenta for each kitten, and they will come out after the kittens. Keep an eye on how many come out, as a placenta stuck inside can cause an infection and lead to your cat's death if you don't seek medical attention.

   • Do not try to deliver the placenta yourself! If you pull on the umbilical cord and it causes the uterus to rupture, your cat could die. If you think the placenta is stuck inside, take your cat to the vet.
   • Remember that cats usually eat the placenta. It contains many hormones and nutrients that need to be returned to the body, so do not interfere with this process. Make sure that the cat does not try to eat her kittens out of inexperience.
   • It is best to let your cat eat two or three placentas and take away the rest, as too much can cause diarrhea and vomiting.

6. Do not cut the umbilical cord. It is best not to interfere with this process. As a rule, mother cats gnaw the umbilical cord themselves. If your cat doesn't do this, call your veterinarian.

   • Do not cut the umbilical cord if any part of it is still inside the cat. The umbilical cord attaches to the placenta, and the placenta can become stuck inside, often leading to infection and death of the animal. It is better not to interfere, but to call the veterinarian and follow his advice.

Help after childbirth

1. Make sure the kittens start eating as soon as possible. The first milk contains colostrum with antibodies, which is very beneficial for kittens.

2. Monitor your kittens' health. When the kittens are born, you will need to make sure that they do everything right.

   • If the kitten makes sounds like it is choking, this means that fluid has entered its respiratory tract. Take the kitten in your palms, making a cradle out of them. Gently tilt the kitten down. This will get rid of fluid in the lungs. Wipe the kitten's face with gauze. Wear gloves and be careful as newborn kittens are very slippery.
   • If your cat doesn't show interest in the kittens, try rubbing her scent on them. If she still won't pay attention to them, you will have to take care of the kittens yourself, that is, feed them regularly and use an incubator. We can't describe this process in this article as it's quite complex, so ask your veterinarian for help.
   • Don't worry if one of the kittens is stillborn. Before you properly dispose of him, make sure he is really dead. Try to revive the kitten by rubbing it - this may start the heart. Use a warm and damp small towel. You can also raise and lower your paws and blow on the face and mouth.

3. Monitor your cat's health. Once labor is complete, offer her good quality food and fresh water. She won't want to leave the kittens alone even to eat or go to the toilet, so place the litter box and food closer to the nest to make her more comfortable. It is extremely important to feed the cat so that she can recuperate and feed the kittens.

   • In the first days, the cat may not get up at all. Keep food close to the nest.
   • Check from time to time to see if the cat is doing well and taking care of the kittens.

4. Record the time of birth of each kitten. Record the time of birth, gender, weight (using a kitchen scale), and the time the placenta was delivered.

   • This information will be useful to the doctor or to you if you continue to breed.

Childbirth in pets is a natural and intimate process, but the intervention of a caring and loving owner in this action sometimes saves the health and life of the expectant mother and offspring. Every owner of a fluffy mother needs to know how to take birth in a cat. Competent actions during childbirth will minimize such unpleasant consequences as stillbirth, birth injuries of cubs, bleeding in a woman in labor, etc.

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Preparing for childbirth

In order for the birth to take place in a calm environment, it is important for both the owner and the pet to responsibly prepare for this process. First of all, you need to agree with a veterinarian about the possibility of going to your home to provide obstetric care in case of complications in the birth process. If a pregnant female has serious health problems, you may consider giving birth in a veterinary clinic.

Essentials

During childbirth, you must have the following materials and tools on hand:

• sterile surgical gloves (2 - 3 pairs);

• baby disposable diapers (not scented) – 5 – 6 pieces;

• waffle towel (clean, ironed) - for resuscitation of a weak kitten;

• sterile gauze wipes (1 - 2 packs);

• sharp scissors with rounded ends;

• surgical thread or catgut for tying the umbilical cord (before birth, placed in a container with alcohol for disinfection);

• small syringe (to remove mucus);

• brilliant green solution, hydrogen peroxide for antiseptic treatment;

• sterile petroleum jelly (for large fetuses, dry birth canal);

• ammonia (for resuscitation of a weak baby).

Many experienced breeders know well how to help a cat during childbirth. After preliminary consultation with a veterinarian, their arsenal of remedies may also include oxytocin, calcium gluconate, vitamin B12 and other drugs, as well as disposable syringes for administering medications. If the owner is inexperienced, then the best option would be to enlist the help of a veterinary obstetrician.

Place for birth

The place for childbirth must be prepared in advance. For these purposes, it is best to use a thick cardboard box. When choosing a house, you should pay attention to the size. The future nest should not be too spacious (it is difficult to maintain the optimal temperature) and not too cramped (it will be inconvenient for the cat to feed and care for the offspring).

The bottom of the box should be covered with a mattress, a waterproof oilcloth should be placed on top, then a disposable baby diaper. The house should be placed in a quiet, secluded and dark place. It is not advisable to place the box next to heat sources, in drafts, in a walk-through room, or near other animals.

Signs of labor in a cat

Some animals meow loudly before giving birth, even scream, try to hide or show signs of aggression. Others behave calmly and may maintain a playful mood.

Having discovered signs of labor in their pet, owners should be ready to provide the necessary assistance to the animal and know what to do if the cat gives birth. Attentiveness, accuracy and competent actions will help maintain the health of the mother and produce viable offspring.

Helping an animal during childbirth

Childbirth in domestic animals occurs in several stages: preparatory (contractions and pushing), the release of kittens from the birth canal and the postpartum period. The owner's actions depend on the stage of the birth process.

At the stage of contractions and pushing

During this preparatory period, the cervix opens and the kittens prepare to leave the birth canal. Scanty bleeding may be observed from the vulva. Wave-like contractions pass through the pet’s stomach. The cat can meow and rake up the litter. Often the animal takes a position as during the act of defecation (strains). This stage can last from several hours to a day.

The question of what to do if a cat gives birth concerns primarily inexperienced owners. At the preparatory stage, all that is required from a loving owner is affection and a patient attitude towards the expectant mother. It is advisable to place the cat in a place prepared for childbirth and protect it from the presence of strangers and animals. During this period, the pet is under severe stress and needs to be calmed and stroked.

When kittens emerge from the birth canal

The babies are in the amniotic sac, which is a thin membrane filled with liquid (amniotic fluid). Normal diligence (the position of the fetus in the birth canal) is considered to be cephalic and pelvic. After the baby comes out, the afterbirth also leaves. The cat licks the newborn, frees it from the shell, and gnaws the umbilical cord. With this behavior of the animal, there is no reason to interfere with the birth process.

The question of what to do when a cat gives birth arises for the owner if the pet does not take any action regarding the offspring. In such a situation, quick and clear action is necessary, as the cub may die. All manipulations are performed using sterile gloves using aseptic and antiseptic rules.

The newly born baby needs to be freed from the amniotic sac and blow lightly into the nose. The umbilical cord should be held a couple of centimeters away from the body for a few seconds, tied with surgical suture or catgut, and trimmed with sterile scissors. Treat the wound with a solution of brilliant green. After this, the baby should be moved towards the mother's nipples. Such manipulations trigger maternal instincts, and in the future the cat can cope without outside help.

During obstetrics, it is necessary to ensure that after the birth of each kitten, its placenta is also released. It is better to count their number in order to know for sure that none remained in the birth canal.

To learn how to help a cat during childbirth, watch this video:

Features of the first birth

The first birth of a cat is a test not only for the animal itself, but also for its owner. A first-time pet experiences strong psychological stress because everything that happens to her is unfamiliar and causes great fear. An animal under stress may show signs of aggression: hissing, not letting the owner near, biting and scratching. In fear, the cat may hide under the sofa, bathtub and other places inaccessible to observation. The animal must not be allowed to do this; it must be calmed down and placed in a prepared box.

The first birth must take place under the supervision of the owner. A first-time animal may have weakened maternal instincts, in which case help is required. If a cat gives birth for the first time, a veterinary specialist can tell you what to do and how to help the animal, who, if necessary, will prescribe a mild sedative for an overly impressionable pet.

Help with complicated births

If there are problems with kittens leaving the birth canal, you need to know how to help the cat give birth. You can perform obstetrics on your own in the following cases:

• Large kitten. If the fetus does not come out due to its large size, then the birth canal should be lubricated with sterile petroleum jelly at a time when there are no contractions. The baby should be pulled by the crease in the neck, but only during a contraction in an arc towards the cat’s belly. The effort should not be excessive.

• Wrong diligence. If the neck or back is visible in the birth canal, you need to gently press on the kitten, push it back and, using stroking movements, turn the baby's head towards the birth canal.

If the lower back is visible in the birth canal, then the movements should be directed from the tail towards the neck: the kitten is turned into a pelvic position.

If paws appear in the birth canal, you need to wait for the period between contractions and push the fetus back, it will take the correct position and the birth will proceed safely. All manipulations are carried out with sterile gloves, without force.

To learn how to help a cat during a complicated birth, watch this video:

• Weak labor or its absence. How can I help a cat during labor if contractions are weak, infrequent and unproductive? In this situation, the owner can only help if the cervix is ​​dilated (at least one kitten has already been born or the fetus has appeared in the birth canal). Stimulates labor by massaging the cat's abdomen from the neck to the perineum with light circular movements without pressure, massage of the mammary glands. Labor can be enhanced by applying the baby to the nipples. Massage of the vestibule of the vagina stimulates the continuation of labor. After preliminary consultation with a veterinarian, intramuscular injections of oxytocin are used to intensify labor.

When to contact a specialist

There are often cases when even competent actions for independent obstetric care cannot help a cat give birth. If your pet exhibits at least one of the following signs during birth, you should urgently seek help from a veterinarian:

• contractions last more than an hour without the birth of a baby;

• the fetus is stuck in the birth canal;

• the cat is apathetic, weak;

• there is a disturbance in the heart rhythm, weak breathing;

• profuse bloody or purulent discharge from the vagina appears, with an unpleasant odor;

• the number of placentas is less than the number of kittens born;

• body temperature is below 37 C or above 39.5 C.

Help for a newborn

In addition to how to help a cat give birth, a responsible owner should also know how to carry out resuscitation measures in the event of the birth of weak offspring. If the kitten is not breathing, you must:

• remove the film;

• wipe your nose and mouth;

• tilt the cub head down to remove mucus.

Simulating mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration using a small syringe, a special urinary catheter for cats, or a straw also helps. Air should be blown in carefully, in small portions, at intervals of 3 to 5 seconds. This manipulation stimulates the opening of the lungs and spontaneous breathing. You can also bring a napkin soaked in ammonia to the spout.

When a weak kitten is born, massage is effective. To carry it out, carefully wrap the baby in a waffle towel (prevents slipping) and, fixing the small body in the palms, carefully massage the index and middle fingers wrapped in a napkin. The movements should imitate licking by a cat.

Postpartum care

Consists of the following steps:

• complete and high-calorie nutrition that meets the physiological needs of a nursing cat;

• providing a calm environment;

• free access to clean water;

• monitoring the nature of vaginal discharge;

• maintaining the nest in sanitary condition;

• monitoring the physical condition of the pet.

Compliance with the basic rules for caring for a cat after birth contributes to the animal’s rapid recovery and prevents the development of postpartum complications.

In most cases, childbirth in cats occurs without complications, and no intervention in this natural process is required. However, a responsible breeder or loving owner should be prepared to assist in the birth of a pet. Competent, conscious and confident actions will calm the animal, keep the cat healthy and produce viable offspring.