Expert: W - 7/19/2007

Question
My cat is pregnant. We took her to the vet because we were told that she needed xrays. The vet did the xrays but the cat was not 45 days pregnant. I have been told that having xrays before 45 days can kill the kittens. Anyways, it has been about one week. Today, she started bleeding but her activity and appetite has not changed. She is still playful and very loving. She has bleed a significant amount of blood and there has been very little discharge. Is my cat having a miscarriage and if so, what should I do?

Answer
Hi Lacey
X Rays harming unborn kittens under 45 days is a fallacy. Usually if a pregnant cat requires xrays, the veterinarian would take the necessary precautions to protect the kittens using something like a lead blanket.In this instance I am unsure of what precisely is going on. It would be unwise of me to diagnose anything here on the information without a detailed examination. I would suggest that you take the cat back to your veterinarian and ask them to carry out a scan to see how the kittens are going on.They can also carry out a complete blood test and determine the reason for the hemorrhage.
I hope all goes well and I am sorry that I cannot be more help