Dystocia (Difficult Birth) in Cats

Dystocia (Difficult Birth) in Cats

The act of delivering kittens, or queening, is usually a natural process for cats, but there are occasions when normal birth is difficult or even impossible. Dystocia, or difficult or abnormal birth, is a common problem in veterinary medicine. If your cat is about to make you the proud owner of a litter of kittens, you should acquaint yourself with the normal birth process. Otherwise, it will be difficult to determine when and if there is a problem.

Feline labor occurs in two stages. Stage I lasts 6 to 12 hours; your cat will exhibit nesting behavior and her temperature will drop. She will be having contractions, although you won’t be able to see them. What you may see is that she is restless and may be panting. During Stage II, the fetuses will begin to move through the birth canal. Your cat will experience obvious straining and involuntary contraction of the abdominal muscles.

If you suspect that the mother-to-be is not progressing through labor as expected, it is important that you call your veterinarian or local veterinary emergency facility.

When To Call Your Veterinarian

You should call your veterinarian for assistance in the following instances:

Causes of Dystocia in Cats

Causes of delivery problems are divided into those problems associated with the mother and those that are associated with the babies.

Maternal Causes

Kitten Causes

Diagnosis of Dystocia in Cats

Determining when to intervene in a pregnancy is based on your description of how labor has been progressing. But your veterinarian will also want to examine your cat to determine the cause of the dystocia and the appropriate treatment.

First your veterinarian will do a physical examination, including a vaginal exam, to determine whether the kittens can move through the birth canal. An x-ray to determine the size, shape and number of kittens may also be necessary. This x-ray is not harmful to the mother or babies.

Treatment for Dystocia in Cats

If your veterinarian feels the kittens can move through the birth canal, there are a variety of medications available to assist labor.

If easy passage is not possible, or if medical treatment is not effective, your veterinarian will deliver the kittens by cesarean section. After surgical delivery, the mother can still nurse and care for her newborns.

Home Care

If your cat is experiencing dystocia, there is little you can do to help. Keep the mother-to-be in a quiet area with no distractions and call your veterinarian. Monitor labor carefully to detect any abnormalities. If you should find a baby stuck in the canal, apply steady gentle traction to pull the baby out. If there is any question about the progression of labor, contact your veterinarian or local veterinary emergency facility.

Preventative Care

There is little that can be done to prevent dystocia. Detecting problems early and getting prompt veterinary assistance will give you and the mother the best chance of delivering live healthy babies.