Finally, a more general drying lick and some attention to the posterior part of the abdomen and anal area is given to start the bowel and bladder movement going. There is no mum in the picture, so the first point will not apply here. The reason that a mother cat will eat the kitten is twofold. Chances are their bodies are covered with harmful bacteria and should be immediately removed from the litter. Pathogens can be more potent in overcrowded litters and spread in the blink of an eye. The second stage of kittening lasts five to thirty minutes for each kitten. The presence of a dead foetus within the maternal pelvic canal can, in itself, result in functional or obstructive dystocia. An instinctual drive for some female mother cats, especially the inexperienced ones, is to eat their dead kittens. If her stomach is hard, then there may be more kittens coming. If this fails, an emergency ovariohysterectomy (spay) may be required. Right after a mother cat gives birth to new kittens, she licks them clean. Your purchase directly supports the leading global cat welfare charity, International Cat Care. Learn more. This is a defensive mechanism to prevent predators from spotting them in a vulnerable state. Uterine inflammation includes endometritis and metritis. Feeling from the outside around the perineal area under the tail will indicate if a kitten is already through the pelvis, and a view of nose or feet and tail at the vulva indicates that birth must be imminent if the kitten is to live. Domestic cats that feel safe in their home are less likely to eat their kittens because they dont have to worry about their nutrient sources. Birth, also called kittening or parturition, is divided into three stages, and the second and third stages are repeated for each kitten. If you are prepared, you will know when to take your cat to the vet if the labor goes wrong. Unfortunately, situations happen when all the happiness is replaced with disappointment and sadness. Its important to start socialising the kittens from week two and some of this will involve handling them. Choosing a pet cemetery is another option is you dont have the facility to bury at home or dont want a cremation. Kittens should be removed from the cat if old enough, otherwise, their numbers must be reduced or supplementary feeding given. A late manifestation of inhibitory hysterical behaviour may cause delay when the kitten is already through the maternal pelvis and protruding through the vulva. What Does A Mother Cat Do With A Dead Kitten? See Here If they havent started after half an hour, gently guide them, bleeding from the vagina or unusual vaginal discharge, prolapse of the uterus (womb) straining can occasionally cause the uterus to be pushed out, mastitis infection of a mammary gland that becomes hot, painful and engorged. It might seem rather harsh at first because it is typically a rigorous cleaning. A mother cat will only eat her kitten when she is sure that they are dead. Newborn kittens cannot regulate their body temperatures and depend on the mother to stay warm. Most cats will take to mothering their kittens very naturally. The first signs of the onset of the condition usually include lack of coordination and tetanic muscular spasms with later collapse and coma. Put air holes in the sides of the box so that the kitten has abundant fresh air. If they have access to a garden its likely thats the burial area they are going to choose. While it can be an expensive service, it is often very personal. 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. 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. A litter of kittens without any survivors leaves the owners saddened but also in doubt about what caused such an outcome in the first place. 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. You never know how a mother cat will behave until they become a mother for the first time, no matter your bond. Haywards Heath, 1 Provide blankets, a heat lamp, or a heating pad to ensure the kittens stay warm. What To Do With A Dead Kitten After Birth Call a Vet Immediately. By eating the newborn, a mother cat will re-absorb the nutrients that her body had first used to generate the kitten. Understand and connect with your cat and develop a lifelong friendship! Due to the fact that a lot of energy is needed for such an action, your cat might start breathing heavily. Turned out that my cats diet was the problem. It may not be the case that your cat has died from disease or from any other cause. Accessibility The kitten should be supported and the cord held at the kitten end so that the risk of pulling on the kitten is minimised. The dead body and the placenta need to be taken to the veterinarian for examination as soon as possible. Some things to look out for (and ways to help your cat and her kittens) include: Your cat will need lots of the right nutrients to keep her and her kittens healthy and strong. There are a lot of things to consider when you end up dealing with one or even a whole litter of dead kittens. In short:Let the mother spend time with her dead kitten, clean the area thoroughly and use disposable gloves to present the kitten to your vet to determine cause of death and then decide which kind of burial you want(cremation is pretty common for this situation). In an emergency, this would be administered by a veterinary surgeon by injection, but if the cat in question is known to behave in this fashion, the breeder may be equipped with tablets which can be given by mouth at the start and will be equally effective. Some cemeteries also have license to conduct human cremations and burials and this allows for you and your cat to be buried in close proximity and remain together after death. Veterinary check-ups and vet advice during pregnancy can help you ensure the mother is properly nurtured. Next, with a nipping/licking action the cat picks up, then chews through, the umbilical cord and in the process provides a stimulation to the abdominal navel area, getting respiration going. What To Do With A Dead Kitten After Birth Everything You Need To Know. Examination will show a raised temperature and palpation through the abdominal wall will disclose a thickened lumpy area of womb containing the membranes. Once she realizes some are dead she wont experience strong anxiety episodes manifested with a continuous search for the lost baby. Immediately the kitten is out,clear the mouth and nose of all membranes and fluid. A purulent, foul-smelling vaginal discharge is present along with fever. 2 Keep the kitten warm. Te prturitio of ewly litter of kitte i much-anticipted evet for y cat-o'-nine-tail ower. This is the cat that requires help. They also rely on her for protection and warmth, so shell need to stay close to them. Hopefully, you will find some way to contact the pet owner. Postnatal Care of a Mother Cat and Her Newborn Kittens While removing the gloves turn them inside out and properly discard them. Related Post: 20 Amazing Female Cat Facts. The good midwife is essentially a good and unobtrusive observer until trouble occurs. Dead kittens get stuck inside a cat all the time. Congenital defects that are obvious at the time of birth, and may be involved in dystocia, include: Many serious inherited abnormalities are not obvious at birth and abnormalities of the eyes, hearing and heart fall into this category. However, first-line treatment usually consists of a broad-spectrum antibiotic, eg, amoxycillin-clavulanic acid, or a cephalosporin. The decision can only be made by the breeder after full consideration of the circumstances. If this is not immediately forthcoming, the particular kitten involved may die, especially if it is coming tail first. However, the single kitten syndrome is a very rare occasion indeed. After a couple of weeks, if your cat is happy for you to do so, you might be able to gently stroke the new kittens. Using disposable gloves place the dead kitten (along with the placenta) inside a freezer bag that can be sealed. Your cat could get eclampsia Unfortunately, burying pets in backyards is prohibited in certain states. Cat Nail Biting: What to Do If Your Cat Chews & Pulls His Claws, Why Is My Kitten So Hyper? Getting your female cat neutered is a good way to make sure they dont have any unwanted litters and can also help to prevent certain health problems. Abdominal palpation may cause the queen pain and the uterus usually feels thickened. Your cat will naturally provide her kittens with all they need, so try to keep your distance if you can so she can settle into motherhood. You can read more about hand-rearing in our free guide. Whether one of your cats babies is dead or you stumbled upon a dead kitten somewhere, knowing what to do next can be overwhelming. 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. However, you might think about whether you are likely to move home in the future and what this might mean in terms of either relocating your cats remains or leaving them behind. If you are not sure of the number of babies expected you should get the mother examined for other kittens stuck in her abdomen. Cats soon after forget that such a tragedy happened, but for the time being, they are filled with sadness. 1. Cats should be confined from this time to allow for observation of labour. Contact us Mouth-to-mouth respiration can be useful, but only if very carefully carried out. Purrfect Delivery: A Guide to Helping Your Cat Give Birth. Foetal causes of obstructive dystocia may result from malpresentation, severe foetal malformation (eg, hydrocephalus, Siamese-twins), foetal oversize or foetal death. It comprises a stroking, rubbing movement with a clean towel. As harrowing as it might seem, it is important that you leave the kitten with the mother so that she is aware of what has happened. 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.