Primary inertia is by far the most common cause of dystociaObstructed labour, also known as labour dystocia, is the baby not exiting the pelvis because it is physically block during childbirth although the uterus contracts normally. Complications for the baby include not getting enough oxygen which may result in death.https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Obstructed_labour
Your cat may have a narrow pelvic canal making it difficult for her to pass her kittens, or there maybe one particularly large kitten that she is unable to pass without help. If the kittening is prolonged, your cat (and the muscles of her uterus) may become tired and ineffective (uterine inertia).
Some dependent cats may interrupt or delay the labour until the owners are home. This is called “interrupted labour” and is quite normal. This is different from a cat who still has kittens inside her but is straining without success or panting, crying, unsettled, or in the end exhausted.
Surgery could be necessary for obstructive dystocia and birth difficulties along with distress or general poor health, extended active labor, primary uterine inertia and if health management is unproductive. Within three hours of the surgery, the queen is expected to be stable, alert and capable of nursing her kittens.
Intervals between kitten births are variable. On average the intervals last ten minutes to an hour. So-called interrupted labor is sufficiently common in the cat to be considered a normal occurrence.
Step 1: Grasp the kitten with a clean towel. Step 2: Applying steady traction, gently pull the kitten at a slight downward angle. Continue pulling gently and steadily until the kitten is delivered. Step 3: If you are unable to remove the kitten, or if the mother is uncooperative, contact the veterinarian immediately.
Large or deformed kittens can become stuck in the pelvis. Sometimes they come halfway and sometimes they don't even get that far. If your cat has a kitten stuck inside her, call your vet for advice immediately, do not pull the kitten.
Your cat's labour should go smoothly, but it's useful to have help on hand to keep her calm and in case she runs into any complications. Get hold of your vet's out-of-hours phone number prior to your cat giving birth, as delivery often happens during the night, or they might need an emergency helping hand.
Licking, pacing, howling, and chirping
You might notice your cat licking her genitalia frequently – There is a discharge from the cat's vulva a few hours before birth starts. Your cat's water will break as well. Now is the time for pacing, restlessness, and howling, meowing, or chirping from your cat.
In cats the average length of full parturition (delivery) is 16 hours, with a range of 4–42 hours (up to three days in some cases may be normal). It is important to consider this variability before intervening. The third stage is delivery of the fetal membranes.
Before a cat's birth, the feline will begin to exhibit noticeable changes in behavior. The cat may start hiding more or spending time in quiet parts of the house. Cats who are particularly close with their pet parent might become more affectionate or clingy in the days leading up to the birth of their kittens.
She might begin to yowl or make unusual noises and start pacing around the room. After a while, you will notice that she will go over to the birthing nest or to another quiet location of her choosing.
You should put together a nesting box where your queen can give birth. This can be a cardboard box that's big enough for her to lie down in and with tall enough sides so the kittens won't fall out.
Place the kittening box in a dark, quiet area away from any drafts or frequent foot traffic. Your cat will want to feel private, comfortable and safe. Once you've found the perfect location, place her litter box, food and water nearby, and let your cat sleep in the box so that she becomes familiar with it.
When a cat gives birth to a stillborn kitten, it's important to leave the kitten in place until their mother realizes that they're dead. Otherwise, your cat may become distressed at removing one of her kittens without knowing they had passed away.
Some rather dependent cats will deliberately delay or interrupt labour if the owner has to go out. This resting stage may last up to 24 or even 36 hours, after which straining recommences and the remainder of the litter is born quite normally and easily.
The total process, once your cat is in stage 2 labor, takes two to six hours for most cats. Intevals between kitten births can be from about 10 minutes to an hour, although another kitten may be born immediately after the placenta is expelled, or it may take a little longer than an hour.
Active Labor Signs: Contractions—the uterine movements that move the kitten down the birth canal—may make your cat yowl through the pain. You may also see a discharge of blood or other fluids.
Whilst it's safe to stroke your pregnant cat, make sure that you avoid her tummy. This area will be very sensitive, and any touching there could cause her discomfort or hurt her unborn kittens. If you do have to pick your cat up, make sure to “scoop” her up from her bottom, rather than touch her stomach.
Before giving birth, your cat's behaviour will become “maternal” and she may begin to purr a lot. She is likely to refuse food, will act unsettled and might start to look for a suitable quiet place in which to give birth. The first sign of labour is a temperature drop in the mother to around 37.8º C.
In one study, pedigree cats had an average kitten mortality of 34.5% from birth to one year of age (range of 8-40%), compared to 10-17% in non-pedigree cats.
Pregnant or nursing cats are known as 'queens', and they can certainly live up to their title! She will start to sleep more during the day, appearing to have less energy or desire to move. Your queen may also start to act more maternal and needier, seeking extra attention from you – when she's awake that is!