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Cats/my bengal and child birth
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Question
My 2 year old marble bengal has just giving birth,at about 11.00 pm last night.
The first kitten is tiny,but yet seems to be very healthy as it is moving very quickly,but yet it is tiny,the second kitten was born a still born, it was very underdeveloped, then she gave birth to a 3rd,this one is much larger.
cookie my bengal seem to off had a very herd time as i had to help her every step of the way, the second one also came out legs first,but could not do it all by herself,i had to help take it out for her,
It is now morning at 9.oo am,i ave felt her side whilst she is layed down,and i am sure there are more,is it poss that she still has more in her and how long can it take for her to give birth to all of her litter
Rebecca,
It does sound to me like there's a good possibility that there are still kittens inside, some queens require medical intervention to deliver their babies just as women do. Since this kitty has had a difficult time I do think that it would be in her best interests to be seen by a vet ASAP, queens can sometimes end up with kittens that don't get born vaginally for whatever reason. Be sure to bring mom and her live babies (the vet can also dispose of the deceased kitten if you'd like) to the vet for assessment and if mom does require a caesarian to bring other babies into the world then the vet will advise you of what needs to happen with mom and her little ones. It is quite possible the little ones will need a formula feed or two if mom requires surgery, if you'd like I can provide you with the information about supplementary feeds if the vet recommends a caesarian for trapped kittens or a stalled labor. In the event that mom does require a caesarian I'd strongly suggest that you have her spayed at the same time to prevent a repeat caesarian from becoming necessary as it's very hard on the queen when it has to be done. It's not uncommon for there to be a tiny kitten in the litter, generally they're referred to as the runt, essentially these guys for one reason or another don't seem to be getting the same amount of nutrition as their siblings in the womb, but if the baby is healthy, vigorous and feeding well I wouldn't worry too much - just keep an eye on the baby's weight so that you can intervene if necessary. If you have any further questions, concerns or you'd like me to clarify anything in this answer, please feel free to contact me again and I'll do my best to help you out to the best of my ability.
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Answers by Expert:
Ali
Expertise
I am the proud guardian of 5 mixed breed cats ranging from 12 weeks to 13 years old and one purebred ragdoll. I have 20+ years experience working with mixed breed cats from a variety of different situations. I have fostered cats/kittens with special needs/behavioral issues. I have rescued/rehabilitated/re-homed a variety of stray/abused cats. I can offer advice on managing feral cat colonies, rehabilitating strays and finding them forever homes. I can help you to determine whether a cat is stray or feral, there IS a significant difference. Improperly introducing a new cat/kitten can result in aggression between newly introduced cats because cats are territorial by nature and they don't like sudden changes in their environment. To learn more about a peaceful way to introduce a new cat into a home with other cats please check out my previous answers on this subject. Proper nutrition for cats can be confusing, I recommend checking out catinfo.org which was created by a veterinarian (Dr. Lisa Pierson) who takes a common sense approach to explaining feline nutrition. Cat behavior and instincts are different from those of humans, I can help you understand your cat's needs so that you can meet them adequately and have a balanced, psychologically and physically sound kitty. Cats vary in personality, energy level and intelligence, different approaches may be required to achieve results in terms of training and interaction with your feline companion. An intelligent, high energy cat must be kept busy or they will make their own fun. I am NOT a licensed veterinarian and I can't offer medical advice. If your cat is ill/injured my advice is always the same: get prompt medical treatment provided by a veterinarian. If finances are an issue I will try to find resources in your area that can help with medical costs or make other choices to ensure the welfare of your cat.
Experience
I have fostered feral and stray cats, rehabilitated and homed cats that many people recommended euthanasia for. I am willing to make an effort to do the research and ask questions because I care enough to find solutions to behavioral problems rather than giving up. I have an interest in the use of alternative therapies to help provide the best possible care for all cats and I can say in all honesty that I've seen some incredible things happen for some incredible cats and their human caregivers when the right alternative therapeutic modality is used by a qualified veterinarian with expertise and experience in the field.
Education/Credentials
I've earned my diploma as a veterinary assistant with honors.
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