Expert: Jessica - 8/28/2009

Question
My cat had three kittens yesterday around 4:00 and all three came out healthy as ever. Now it feels like there is at least one more still in her tummy. Is there any way to know if she is still in labor or can she not have kittens that far apart. How would i definitely know if there is another cat in her tummy.

Answer
Hi Shanna.  Cats can have kittens that far apart.  In fact, they can sometimes have a break of a few days between kittens.  This isn't entirely normal, however, and it should really be brought to the attention of the vet anytime a cat goes longer than 6 hours without delivering any remaining kittens from her litter.

The only 100% sure way to know if she has any more kittens undelivered would be to have a vet x-ray her belly.  If she does, the x-ray will show the kittens' skeletons.  But a vet would probably be able to tell you if she was still pregnant without an x-ray, by feeling her belly.  This isn't quite as accurate, but an experienced vet will have a good idea.

Besides bringing her to the vet, it's just waiting to see if she ends up going back into labor and delivering any more kittens within the next couple days.  The unfortunate thing is that sometimes when a cat doesn't deliver her entire litter at once, it's because she can't for medical reasons.  The remaining kittens may be too large, or she may have become too exhausted, or the kittens may not be alive.  If any of these are true, she will need the help of a veterinarian to deliver them, or she may not survive.

I hope all turns out well!

Jessica