Expert: Norman Auspitz - 5/28/2009

Question
QUESTION: Dear Normam

OK , this pedigree bio-color Persian queen of us is 16 months old now , and today is the 58th day of her first pregnancy . Everything was going on quite well and normal , till last night that I noticed that she was not eating the way she used to , plus she was looking quite plain . As someone who is breeding Persians for some years that made me have an eye on her . Today early morning I found her trying to make a nest . When I inspected on her I noticed that she had got a watery pinkish discharge from her vagina , something between blood and water . That made me sure she was about to have her babies . So , we got ready for delivery but weirdly she didn't show any other sings of delivery . In deed not only didn't she show any other sings of delivery , she's even started eating well now , and is not looking pale anymore . This has made me quit apprehensive really . What does it mean ?

Now my question is , can a expecting queen save her babies till the 65th day (which is the normal day for delivery) even after having discharges at 58th day ? Why isn't Melissa giving birth to her babies after a noticeable amount of discharge ? Her babies are still moving well and I can see that . She's back to her normal life and no discharges anymore . How come it's like this ? Isn't an expecting queen supposed to have her babies in few hours after having discharges ?

Please help ! Please answer me as soon as possible .

Soheil

ANSWER: Soheil,

She can have some discharge and begin nesting behavior up to about a week before giving birth.  So, she sounds OK to me.  All you can do is to keep watch and see if there are any signs of problems.

Other things to check are whether or not your day count is correct.

Please let me know how she does.

Best regards... Norm.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hey Norman

Just to let you know that Melissa gave birth in the early morning of the 61th day. Surprisingly non of the kittens was dead. However , one was too tiny to be able to suckle and died last night, sadly . Two others are doing OK though they're noticeably more feeble than any other kitten I've ever had. One of them has problem suckling as I can feel . The other one is doing great though.
Do you have any idea why this happened ? I am pretty much sure this kittens would be way more strong if they were born after the 63th day. Why did she give birth so soon?

ANSWER: Soheil,

The problem is that there are any number of things that can happen to make them deliver a bit prematurely.  We once had a queen who did not seem to be able to deliver after the 56yh day.  She ended up spayed and has made someone a lovely pet.

What I may suggest is to get some kitten milk replacer and supplement the kittens by tube feeding a couple of times a day.  If you do not know how to tube feed, your veterinarian should be able to show you. If you cannot find a commercial product, I can give you a couple of recipes. Meanwhile, I would cut the commercial product 1-1 with unflavored Pedialyte.  We have found we can get the kittens a bit stronger by supplementing in this way until they can properly suckle on their own.

Please let me know how things are going.

Best regards... Norm.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Please give me the recipes if possible cos I think I really need that. here in my country (Iran)no kitten-milk is available sadly .

Answer
Soheil.

OK.  Here are 4 different recipes, each depending on what is available in Iran.  I would cut each one with one part formula to one part Pedialyte, if you have it, otherwise use water.

1)  2/3 cup 3.5% milk + 1/3 cup nonfat dry milk + 1 Tbsp of vegetable oil

2)  2/3 cup 3.5% milk + 1/2 cup 18% coffee creamer

3)  1 cup 3.5% milk + 1/4 cup 30% whipping cream

4)  1 cup evaporated milk + 1/2 cup water

NOTES:  1 Cup = 8 oz = 240 mL,  Tbsp = 15 mL,  2 Tbsp = 1 oz = 30 mL.

Please let me know if this will work for you.

Best regards... Norm.