Expert: W - 7/2/2007

Question
My female is 3yrs. old. I believe this is her first pregnancy, she is an indoor cat. My male got to her before I got to him. She delivered two live kittens together. They seem to be okay. About 20 to 30 minutes ago, she delivered a third one, dead. She has not pushed the sac out, so it is still “attached” to her. She is lying, nursing the babies as if all was a done deal. I have had cats for 25 years, and more kittens than I would have chosen to have. Others of the same gene pool delivered over a 24 hr period (one did a kitten a day for three days with no problems). Others became weak and died following delivery of one kitten litters that did not survive. She is the last of the pool (not counting her babies). I would like to see her make it 15 years like so many of the others did. Should I do something to help remove the baby? If so, what exactly? Don’t say go to a vet because I am new to the area, have not had a chance to find one and it is the middle of the night here in a small town. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Thank you,
Anne


Answer
Hi Anne
this is probably not the best method of helping you but I would suggest that you manipulate her stomach and uterus in an effort to expell the placenta
If the deceased kitten is still attached to the placenta then you could ease it out
She may well have evacuated the placenta by now
I would also suggest a trip to the lcoal veterinary once it comes daylighy. He may well just ensure no other placenta is inside.
If she is not straining then you need to encourage the placenta out just use a gentle massage on her and work toward her uterus it may well encourage the sac out
Good luck and I am sorry about the loss but hopefully mum and others are doing well

Regards