If you do, heres what to do with the dead kitten: take the cat to the pet clinic and have it cremated. 203644 (England and Wales) and SCO37711 (Scotland). If no progress is being made and the kitten is clearly visible, it is up to the breeder to give immediate help since, unless the veterinary surgeon literally lives on the premises, veterinary help may not arrive in time for that particular kitten. 203644 (England and Wales) and SCO37711 (Scotland). You might notice your cat: A slight change in behaviour is normal for your cat after she has given birth, but she will settle after a few weeks. Have clean towels, a warm water bottle, a feeding bottle or syringe and some specialist substitute cat milk replacement - not cow or goat milk - ready in advance. Most cats manage to deliver their litter of kittens without any help. After a mother cat ultimately gives up on the kitten ever breathing, she is prone to do a couple of things that might seem dramatic. Dont stop her from doing this, instead try to provide a quiet, comfortable and warm area for her to move to, behaving differently towards you. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. The 21-year-old Italian reportedly said he was trying out an air rifle and pointed it at a cat that belonged to San Marino's tourism and posts minister Federico Pedini Amati. This way you prevent the mother from spotting and digging up the body and ensure there is no disease transmission. RH17 7TT, planning in advance can save you from making difficult decisions when you are distressed. Queens will be significantly sicker than if the fetal membranes are retained. Ask anyone in your closest circle whether theyve ever seen a cat panting. How to Get Rid Of Fleas on Cats That Hate Water. While many authors believe that problems in parturition (birth) are rare in the cat, others feel that with the progression of selective breeding these problems are becoming more common. Torsion implies a twisting of the uterus, cutting off its blood supply, and making delivery of the contained foetus or foetuses impossible. Once the kittens are a little more independent she will be able to go outside again. Have the funds ready for an emergency c-section to save your cat's life. Generally, two types of temperament are seen in cats at kittening: the independent type which will go to extreme lengths to discover a dark enclosed space well away from human contact, and the dependent type which will go to equal lengths to seek comfort in the presence of its owner and may well choose the owners bed as the best place for kittening. You might consider burying your pet in a large pot as this can be easier in the event of a house move. Safeguarding Policy keep other pets away from your cat and her kittens, make sure the kittens are feeding this should start almost immediately after birth. Malposture is of most importance in relation to the position of the head. Abdominal palpation may cause the queen pain and the uterus usually feels thickened. Make haste slowly. In most cases, they prove to be fatal for the unborn kittens. Inadequate nutrition of both the mother and the kittens can be fatal for the whole litter. Then, if it is needed, a nudge towards the maternal nipples. Examination will show a raised temperature and palpation through the abdominal wall will disclose a thickened lumpy area of womb containing the membranes. Let Momma Handle Things Assuming your cat gives birth to a kitten that dies shortly after birth, don't be too quick to dispose of her baby. Some cats may even eat up their dead kittens to protect them from being eaten by other animals. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Are Slug Pellets Dangerous For Cats? This is the cat that requires help. Interrupted labour, as already described, is definitely not an inertia, as the cat is manifestly normal, labour recommences normally, and kittens are born alive and normal. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Cats Protection is a registered Charity No. Registered office National Cat Centre, Chelwood Gate, Haywards Heath, Sussex, RH17 7TT, How we use cookies If nothing can be felt at the vulva and the hold-up is evidently further forward, then it is time to send for professional help. Cats soon after forget that such a tragedy happened, but for the time being, they are filled with sadness. The kitten should be supported and the cord held at the kitten end so that the risk of pulling on the kitten is minimised. While removing the gloves turn them inside out and properly discard them. What To Do If Dead Kitten Gets Stuck Inside A Cat? Work for us Many cats "hide" when they are sick. Communal cremation: this is where several animals are cremated together and therefore it is not possible for you to get your cats ashes back. Present-day methods of anaesthesia are much less likely to depress respiration in the kitten than was once the case, and even in major crises the cats ability to survive an acute abdominal emergency is exceedingly good and surgery is always worthwhile. Wed recommend getting your cat neutered as this will prevent any unwanted litters. By licking and smelling their babies, cats figure out if the kitten is alive or not. Thank you for supporting International Cat Care through your shop purchases! The mother together with any other living kittens also needs to be checked by a veterinarian. 4. if you choose an individual cremation and choose to have your cats ashes returned, be aware that collecting the ashes can be a difficult thing to do some are not able to collect their pets ashes immediately as it feels too raw for them, so be aware of this and plan for it. The swing will have the effect of forcing fluids out of the air passages and a further wipe of nose and mouth will clear it away. Obstructive dystocia is caused by disproportion between the size of the kittens and the maternal birth canal. Learn more. Contact us Accessibility A kitten may be still-born or die sometime after birth due to some defects. Related Post: Can You Put A Dead Cat In The Bin? A retained placenta is a very serious and life-threatening condition for a cat as a retained and unremoved placenta will begin to decompose within the cat's uterus, causing a dangerous bacterial infection that will likely spread to the cat's bloodstream and throughout the body. look at our hand-rearing guide for more advice. A mother cat won't stop looking for her dead kittens until she completely understands that the kitten is gone. Primary inertia due to stress, also termed hysterical inertia, is not uncommon, and is seen particularly in the Oriental, Siamese and Burmese breeds. Safeguarding Policy Talk to your vet about when is the best time and read our free neutering advice. A visit to the veterinary hospital may not be necessary, which is good news for your cat and your budget. The secret, if there is one, of the recognition of trouble lies mainly in the recognition of delay. She instinctively knows that the kitten might be dead for some kind of health reason and wants to move the body a safe distance from their other kittens. Before you start looking for answers you must ensure that the mother is in good health condition after all of her kittens died. It comprises a stroking, rubbing movement with a clean towel. While, ideally, they should be chosen according to culture and sensitivity, first-line treatment usually consists of a broad-spectrum antibiotic, eg, amoxycillin-clavulanic acid, or a cephalosporin. If the kitten has only the tail and hind-legs showing, delivery is even more urgent and the problem of holding the slippery subject more difficult, but the same principle applies. This will make sure shes getting plenty of nutrients to support their development and growth, and make the weaning process easier when the time comes. The good news is that eventually, all of them manage to come around. Take care; if performed too vigorously this method can result in brain haemorrhage. Cats Protection is a registered Charity No. In this article, we will discuss What to Do with a Dead Kitten After Birth, including handling the situation with sensitivity and compassion while providing appropriate care for the grieving mother cat. As soon as they are out of the womb, the mother cat will lick all her babies. Lewes Road, Some rather dependent cats will deliberately delay or interrupt labour if the owner has to go out. As shes supporting her kittens while they are still nursing, shell need a food thats higher in calories, fat, protein and is easy to digest. Registered office National Cat Centre, Chelwood Gate, Haywards Heath, Sussex, RH17 7TT, How we use cookies Chelwood Gate, This also applies to a dead kitten you find in your compound. Becoming a parent brings out instincts for any animal, including a mother cat. If, however, a kitten has had to be helped out and is not breathing, or on those few occasions when the maternal instinct appears to be lacking and the kitten is ignored, reviving it becomes a matter of urgency. It is usually confined to one gland and may follow a simple congestion or overstocking. Cats die with their eyes open. If you consider spreading the ashes, be careful about choosing a location concentrated quantities can damage plant population by changing soil pH levels. However, the single kitten syndrome is a very rare occasion indeed. If gentle suction equipment is available this can be done by sucking debris out of the airway. A mother cat will only eat her kitten when she is sure that they are dead. Genetic defects and toxin exposureare responsible for abnormal conditions in the form of congenital defects. After giving birth, the queen (momma cat) may have a bloody vaginal discharge for up to 3 weeks. RH17 7TT, intermittent contractions, but no straining, the queen will be restless and make repeated visits to the bed, late in the first stage, the queen may scratch the bedding and pant, foetal membranes (water bag) appears briefly at the vulva and bursts. Some female cats may attempt to bury or hide their dead kittens. It is an instinctual behavior for her to do right after giving birth. 2. An internal examination is resented by most unsedated cats and should not be undertaken by the unskilled. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (06772997). As you try to make sense of the whole thing, you are faced with the burden of disposing of the remains of the dead. There is no mum in the picture, so the first point will not apply here. In this condition extreme apprehension during the first stage causes all progress to cease. Some people believe that foetal malpresentation in cats rarely causes dystocia, except when combined with other problems such as poor cervical relaxation or relative foetal oversize. The kitten cannot react to cold by shivering and cannot control its own body temperature. The list goes on. Its very unsafe for the mother to consume their dead kittens so its advisable for the owner to remove it from the side before she starts biting it. You might want to find out if your local and state laws allow it lest you get fined for it. You can choose between a pet cemetery, your backyard (if allowed by law), and human cemeteries with designated pet sections. The good midwife is essentially a good and unobtrusive observer until trouble occurs. Symptoms of a Fading Kitten Syndrome can all cause a cat to have stillborn kittens. The above was a rather daunting, but by no means exhaustive, list of what can, but rarely does, go wrong. What you can do: Monitor your cat's pregnancy and if you suspect something has gone wrong, get her to a veterinarian. Can Adult Cats Eat Kitten Food? The decision can only be made by the breeder after full consideration of the circumstances. This treatment is necessary, so dont take your kittens away from their mother, even if it looks painful. If they are not feeding well, you may need to speak to your vet about possibly hand-rearing them. These nutrients will help her support the surviving kittens by getting dissolved into her milk. Therefore, you shouldn't try to stop the cat from cleaning her offspring, as it helps in the journey of acceptance. It is abnormal if it is green or foul-smelling, although there may normally be a small amount of greenish discharge after the kitten or placenta, if a kitten is partly out, but the mother is very tired and the kitten isn't passed within a few seconds, you can gently try to pull them out by pulling downwards very gently with clean hands, but ask your vet for advice, if the mother does not clean the kitten, you can quickly and quietly clear the membranes from their head with clean, soft kitchen roll. However, first-line treatment usually consists of a broad-spectrum antibiotic, eg, amoxycillin-clavulanic acid, or a cephalosporin. Some vet practices offer private cremations where the kitten can get cremated and the ashes returned to you in an urn or a plastic bag. Many crematoria and cremation services will allow pet owners to visit them and see the facilities so youll know exactly what will happen to your pet during cremation. The next move imitates the licking of the abdominal wall and stimulates respiration. Sometimes planning isnt possible if your cats death is sudden, but if you can think ahead you may find it helpful, each veterinary surgery has different options available so check what is offered by your veterinary practice, if your cat is going to remain at the veterinary practice for any length of time, theyll be kept in cold storage. Talk to your vet if your continuously medicated cat gets pregnant. Repeat this cycle every three to five seconds. Pet cremations can either be handled by the vet or the local animal shelter. She might want you to fix the kitten or to take care of it because she cant. Broad-spectrum antibiotic cover is necessary and prostaglandin F2-alpha may help to induce expulsion of the retained membranes. Clean hands are essential, provide warmth if the mother is avoiding the kittens - a warm, well-covered water bottle does the job, if you've had to help at all, it is best to seek veterinary advice as the kittens may be more at risk of infection or being mismothered - being injured, rejected and not suckled or kept warm by the queen, the first stage is lasting longer than 24 hours without any sign of straining, the cat has been straining for more than 30 minutes without producing anything - this could indicate an obstruction (eg a very large kitten), the kitten has arrived and no further kittens appear after an hour, there is excessive bloody discharge or greenish discharge without a kitten. Lactation tetany could, in theory, occur during, or at any time after, parturition. Whether one of your cats babies is dead or you stumbled upon a dead kitten somewhere, knowing what to do next can be overwhelming. (The same is true of humans.) Using disposable gloves place the dead kitten (along with the placenta) inside a freezer bag that can be sealed. If there are live kittens, redirect her focus on them. Its a difficult time for the mother as well. Put the first sealed bag in another sealable bag. Normal kittens should suck for the first time within 2 hours of birth - they can absorb antibodies from the queen's milk during the first 16-24 hours of life and it is vital they suck well during this period both for good nutrition and also to receive this critical maternal-derived immunity (MDI, or maternal-derived antibodies - MDA) to protect What To Do With A Dead Kitten After Birth Call a Vet Immediately. They should check the kitty for a microchip. It will then cover the body with mud and might lay on the spot for several hours. Related Post: 20 Amazing Female Cat Facts. Retained placenta, as well as the dead kitten, poses a life-threatening issue because they will soon start to decompose, which understandably can lead to many health issues for the mother cat. Unfortunately, situations happen when all the happiness is replaced with disappointment and sadness. In these cases, the placenta becomes attached to one of the abdominal organs but it is unusual for such foetuses to develop to full term and, of course, impossible for them to be born without an abdominal operation. iCatCare may receive a commission or share in the net profit of some purchases made through the affiliate links. Privacy policy Kittens get Feline Viral Herpesvirus when they pass through the birth canal and after infection remain weak and fail to thrive, eventually dying. They should have at their fingertips a history of any previous births by the cat in question and, if possible, information relating to earlier generations and related animals. However, an unneutered female can get pregnant again as soon as two weeks after giving birth while her litter is still reliant on her, so it may be best to try to keep her indoors until the kittens are ready to go to new homes when they are at least eight weeks old. If, however, the first kitten comes tail-first there may well be delay owing to the absence of the wedge-shaped head pushing behind the fluid-filled membranes. Dig up about 3 feet (should be deep enough to keep the remains safe from predators), place the kitten in the hole, say a few words (if you want to), and cover the hole with mud. There are few causes for a cat giving birth to stillborn kittens: Dystocia refers to a difficult birth and can be a result of wrong fetus positioning, narrow pelvis of the mother, too large kittens, and absence of uterine contractions. Apart from the value of observations and knowledge of the behaviour of the cat, breeders can, and in some cases must, be responsible for the treatment of some parturition problems. Mother Cat Won't Stop Looking For Her Dead Kitten, How To Comfort A Mother Cat Who Lost Her Kittens. Factors resulting in an inadequate size of the maternal birth canal may include disorders of the maternal skeleton (healed pelvic fractures), the pelvic soft tissues (severe constipation), or the uterus itself (uterine torsion or rupture). If it is possible to think about these things in advance, you may have more opportunity to give some thought to how you want to care for your cat after theyve died. The cats behaviour alters little until the final week of the pregnancy. Observation of the cats own methods show the order in which to imitate them to the best advantage. Inexperienced mothers sometimes accidentally step on the kittens, lay on them, or cause damage when eating the placenta. Registered office National Cat Centre, Chelwood Gate, Haywards Heath, Sussex, RH17 7TT, How we use cookies Pull and traction are probably misleading words to use here to convey the sensitivity required to co-operate with the cat as she strains and rests momentarily in between, so that progress continues without fear of injury to cat or kitten. Lewes Road, What to Do With a Dead Kitten After Birth It is the mother's instinct to try and clean her kittens. Maine Coon Ragdoll Mix - Everything You Need To Know! Enter your postcode to find the nearest Cats Protection shop to your location. Your cat could get eclampsia My goal is to find the most informative content on anything feline-related and share it with fellow hardworking kitty lovers. There are occasions when you should completely prevent the mother from contacting the dead baby. During the first stage of labour, they may need to provide either moral support or remain unobtrusive as dictated by events. Primary inertia is by far the most common cause of dystocia in cats. The Cat Gallery has partnered with International Cat Care to host the charitys online shop and manage the distribution of shop bought goods to customers. Copyright 2023 Kitty Devotees. If the birth was interrupted by a lack of oxytocin, for example, the cat will not deliver the dead kitten until she is administered the substance by a veterinarian. It depends on several factors, but the most important one is the amount of hormones that regulate the labour and birth remains in her body. The individual crematorium should be able to tell you what happens at their site, should you wish to know. Occasionally, one or both forelegs may lie back along the body, and in posterior or tail-first presentation one or both hind legs may be retained forwards alongside the body to give the breech posture. When I am not working on my blog, I study research articles and enjoy the time with my beloved cat Astra! Its best to feed your cat a good quality kitten food while she is nursing her kittens. The normal mother cat will generally make a much better job of cleaning and drying her kittens than any human, so do not interfere unless necessary. He was fined 4,000 . Cats should be confined from this time to allow for observation of labour. Accessibility The effect of this has been shown in a survey of over 700 breeding cats, which found that cats with extremes of conformation, such as Siamese and Persians, experienced much higher levels of dystocia (difficult births), 10 per cent and 7.1 per cent of births being affected respectively, compared to only 2.3 per cent of births being affected in cats with normal conformation. I am working hard on this blog to provide you with valuable information on everything cats. She will accept food and drink and is in every way completely normal except that it is obvious from her size and shape, and the presence of foetal movement, that there are still kittens waiting to be born. The towels will become soiled quickly as the kittens defecate. If she feels unsafe for any reason, or if where she currently is isnt warm enough for her, she may choose to move her kittens.