cat giving birth

[kathyjo]

A stray that I've named Ebony gave birth to a stillborn baby about 2 hours ago and hasn't had another yet. She is lying in a box, in my bedroom and she doesn't appear to be in any serious trouble.
Ebony has had several litters before so she knows what to do but I wonder if she could have just aborted the stillborn and not the rest? I don't know that she had any afterbirth....I'm pretty sure she didn't.

Anyone have any suggestions. Again, she doesn't seem distressed but she has not left the box that I have her in.

[kathyjo]

it's been over 3 hours and still nothing.....Ebony ate lunch and is now lying on my bed, seemingly unfazed!
I will keep updating her progress, but she doesn't appear to be in active labor?

[kathyjo]

Ebony still has not had another kitten after the firt one was born at about 10 a.m. nearly 7 hours ago.
I think I feel movement in her belly, which is still huge.
I am not letting her outside so I can monitor the situation. Is ther any way to tell if she has fever? I know dogs have the wet nose when they are healthy. Is there anything like that with a cat?

[Savas]

It's not uncommon for hours to pass in between birthing one kitten to the next. Can you feel if she's still having contractions?

I wouldn't start worrying until about twelve hours has passed. One still birth isn't a serious sign of danger, but I'd be wary and watch out, as your doing. If she seems calm then likely everything is going as according to plan. I'll try to check back in later tonight to see if everything's still going smoothly.

Really the only two worrisome things your facing is if contractions start (at which point you'll have to decide about taking her in to a vet) or if a possible breech occurs (still not the end of the world, but you may have to give a little help. Not saying it'll happen, but it isn't uncommon).

The longest cat birthing I recall was almost 24 hours, with five stillborn, one living. So... just keep an eye on her. :)

[Savas]

Oh, kitty's temperature might run a bit high, but I wouldn't worry. 102 is normal high range for cats. Generally, if they get extremely feverish, there's an extreme change in behavior involving lethargy, listlessness, etc...

I don't want to tell you to take a rectal on a birthing Queen unless it's absolutely necessary. I don't think she'd appreciate it! :)

[kathyjo]

Hi Savas and thanks for coming to my rescue!
It has been close to 12 hours since Ebony had the stillborn kitten and she is sitting on my lap, without any distress, occasionally I feel the movement of her baby(ies).  
Is it possible that the others are not yet full term and she expelled an already dead kitten? Ebony has had quite a few litters so she knows what to do.
I would imagine it would be harder to deliver stillborns as they cannot help out. Is that the case? Poor things : (

Thanks again Savas.

Kathy Jo

[kathyjo]

it is almost 9 a.m. so I will call my Vet. She still appears to be in no trouble and it looks as if the last thing on her mind is to give birth.
I'll let you know what the Dr. says.

[kathyjo]

I was able to get Ebony to the Vet and they are going to give her a c-section and see what's going on. While they have her there, they are going to fix her.
I have to pick her up at 3 p.m. so please say some prayers for her.

[kathyjo]

Ebony and her 5 kittens are doing well. I brought her home a few minutes ago. The Vet said that the kittens were fully developed so there shouldn't be any problems.
All 5 are all black as is Ebony. Keep your fingers crossed that I can find a home for them when the time comes : )
Thanks all for your thoughts and prayers.

Kathy Jo

[Savas]

I'm glad to hear it worked out and you did the smart thing. sorry I didn't get back, but my computer's been giving me troubles.  congrat's on becoming a grandma. :)

[kathyjo]

Thanks Savas. The most important thing was to get her fixed which was a major accomplishment! I had to cancel several appointments because I couldn't trap her, so she must have known the danger she was in as she let me pick her up and pack her into the carrier.

Thanks again : )

[Savas]

That's always a bad sign, when a feral just lets you grab 'em and they seem sick. It's a good thing you took her in. Make kitty do the dishes to make up for those missed appointments, :)

how's the brood doing, btw?

[kathyjo]

2 have passed but the other 3 seem to be thriving. They may be a bit premature.....so small, but they meow when mom leaves them, and I think that's a positive sign.
Ebony is a great mom, a last time mom, so with all the spare time she will have on her hands, I will certainly put her to work.
Thanks for asking Savas : )
Kathy Jo

[fluffypurrcat]

HI, I am new to this forum, but have had many cats and have seven currently, and rescued a colony of 34, and still have 3 of the colony to catch, all but one have already been spayed or neurtered. The question I have is regarding the vet.

I may have missed it in your post, but when you took her to the vet, did she or he keep her overnight, or just deliver the kittens and then release her home to you? I would have thought after just having surgery and having a spay at the same time, they would want to keep her for at least overnight and observation. I would think with three passing on already, something is not right, etiher the kittens were premature, or some sort of abnormality with them or infection in the mom, Premature kittens along with stillbirths is sometimes a way of mother nature taking care of animals not able to live on their own, cruel perhaps but the way nature is.

I will keep my fingers crossed, but would not be surprised if none of the other two survive. It doesnt sound good to me. What did the vet say about the kittens passing after comming home, or did he say anything at all? I am glad she has gotten spayed though. There are way too many little unwanted babies and adults already. Good luck and let us know what happens to Ebony and any surviving kittens. I will keep them in my prayers.

                                                                               Fluffypurrcat

Oh, if she is a feral, where do you keep her so she can't get out? Some cats are true Ferals and wont' let anyone near them, but others come to trust the caretakers who feed them , etc. I have a female who was the wildest one of the 34 I took care of in a colony, but the last three years, she now rubs on me and lets me pet her backside when getting ready to eat. Two years ago, I couldn't get within twenty feet of her without her running. Cats seem to know who they can trust, who likes them and who will not harm them.

[kathyjo]

Ebony is a stray, but has come to adopt me. I live in NY so in the very cold or rainy weather, she comes inside.
I have made dozens of spay appointment for her, but when trying to corral her, failed, so I had to cancel them.
Last Sunday she had a stillborn and when she failed to have active labor after 24 hours, I called the Vet, took her in, and he gave me the option of giving her a shot to bring on the labor or the C-section. He kept her for about 5 hours after the operation and when I picked her up, she was alert and the 5 babies were feeding.  Were they premature, I don't know but they are tiny. The 2 that passed were about the same size as the others. Ebony has milk and her teats are full so I don't believe that is the issue. The remaining 3 seem to be doing okay, laying on top of each other and meowing.
I didn't call the Vet and keep him in the loop. I didn't think it necessary as he did all that he could do for them.
Ebony was negative for FIV and received her shot as well as rabies vaccine. She seems healthy.
Thanks for your prayers : )

Kathy Jo

[Savas]

Well,  that seems to be about standard. About fifty/fifty survival rate. Thar's actually pretty good. They'll be rolling out of the nest in no time. :)

And welcome to fluffypurrcat... a handle/name that sums it up nicely.