In general, your assistance won't be required, but it's a good idea to be there, if the mother cat will endure your presence, to monitor the process in case something goes wrong. Keep the area quiet, especially if this is your cat's first delivery; talk in whispers and avoid bright lights.
When the kitten is born, it may be enclosed in the amniotic sac. If so, themother cat should chew open the sac immediately, so that the kitten can breathe, and stimulate the kitten by licking it. The mother should then chew apart the umbilical cord. After birth, the queen may eat the placenta - that's okay.
If your cat does not chew open the sac immediately, gently tear it open your-self and clean the mucus from the kitten's mouth with your finger. Wait a few minutes to see if the mother chews the umbilical cord. If not, tie it tightly with a pieceof thread that has been dipped in alcohol about one inch from the kitten's abdomen. Using scissors that have been dipped in alcohol, cut the cord on the mother'sside of the thread. Rub the kitten gently with a clean, soft towel to stimulate circulation and respiration.
Kittens, like humans, may enter this world head first or feet first. If only apart of the kitten shows, wrap a clean cloth around the slippery newborn's bodyand, as the mother strains, pull it gently all the way out. Pause when the queenrelaxes. Call your doctor if you are not able to deliver the kitten.
If a kitten is not breathing, wrap it in a warm towel with its head down (but support the head so it doesn't wobble) and shake it downward. This should stimulate respiration and remove fluid from its breathing tubes. If a breath still is not taken, gently blow into the kitten's nose until its chest expands, and try rubbing it in a warm, rough towel to stimulate respiration.
The mother cat may rest anywhere from fifteen minutes to two hours betweendeliveries. After all the kittens are born, the mother will stop straining. Instead,your cat will comfortably lick and clean the new kittens.
Within twenty-four hours after the delivery, which in most cases occurs withno problems, the mother and kittens may be examined by your doctor. In general,however, most veterinarians don't feel that cats need to be checked or given ahormone injection after a trouble-free delivery. Be sure to keep the kittens warmif a trip to the office is necessary. A snug blanket placed in a box is perfect.
The doctor will palpate the queen's abdomen to make certain all the kittenswere delivered. The mother will be given an injection of a hormone (oxytocin) toinvolute (shrink) the uterus and to stimulate milk flow from the breasts. Your veterinarian will determine the little ones' sexes, weigh them, and check for birthdefects, such as cleft palates, hare lips, heart problems, and umbilical hernias.
If there are any problems at all during delivery, telephone your doctor. If akitten is stuck in the birth canal and you have tried gentle help, professional manipulation may solve the problem. Sometimes an episiotomy (an incision between the upper end of the vagina and the anus that enlarges the vaginal opening andeases the birth of the kitten) is necessary.
Occasionally, uterine inertia (weak contractions of the uterus) will occur du-ing delivery. If the mother is obese, old, or upset by many people in the room, orhas been straining for a long time, the uterus may become tired and stop squeezing the kittens out efficiently. Injections of oxytocin may help.
In some instances, a caesarean birth (surgical removal of the kittens through the abdominal wall) is necessary. Timing is very important. but the surgery is generally fast and safe. After recovery from the anesthesia. the mother can nurse thekittens and go home. The sutures are removed in ten days.
