Expert: Norman Auspitz - 2/5/2010

Question
QUESTION: I assume my cat is due any day now. She conceived around thanksgiving week and it is now the last day of January. Around twelve hours ago she had a thick white discharge with a small tint of blood. She was liking it clean, but she keeps sitting in a funny position like she is going potty and it is causing her discharge to build up. It looks kind of cream colored and it is starting to get hardened. Can I take a warm wash cloth and help her clean it off? Is this even normal to have there and not be cleaned by her. Does this affect the health of any kittens?

She does not seem to be bothered by it, but she can not find a comfortable place to lay. The father cat was licking it off of her too, but I separated them so she would get more comfortable. If she is in fact going into labor.

I am a little worried about this situation. She is a little over 1 year old and of course her first (and last) litter of kittens. Should I take her to the vet to see what the discharge is?

ANSWER: Cassidy,

It sounds as if she is about to kitten any time now. Queens go into labor when they are good and ready.  There are no hard and fast rules.  This discharge can go on for up to a week, but it does sound as if she has lost her mucous plug.  So, I will give you some guidelines and you can see what you think. BTW, separating the father from her is a wise, wise move at this point. The below will be kind of an information dump:

Cat gestation is normally 65-67 days with 63 days being a normal minimum and 69 days being a normal maximum.  Anything over 69 days would mean a visit to the vet!  You should be able to see and feel the kittens moving in the last week and a half to 2 weeks of pregnancy.

Anywhere from a week before birth up until the onset of birth or anywhere in between, she will get her milk in.  In this time frame she may also have a mucous/bloody discharge. (Although these events may start at different times during this time frame).

Anywhere from a few days before birth up until the onset of birth or anywhere in between, she may exhibit nesting behavior and restlessness.  Also, in this time frame her kittens will form hard knots and begin to move backward and downward in her abdomen.  This is really the very early stages of labor. (Although these events may start at different times during this time frame).

Anywhere from a few hours before birth up until the onset of birth or anywhere in between, her water may break and she will have what are called positioning contractions where she begins to get the kittens in line for birth.

You will know hard labor when you see it.  Once she starts her birthing contractions, it is usually about an hour before the first kitten is all the way out.  About 50% of the kittens are breech, so although it is a bit tougher, it is normal for the first kitten to be breech.

A couple of things you want to have handy are a roll of paper towels, a bottle of isopropyl alcohol, scissors (in case you have to cut the cords), and a soft face cloth to clean the kitten's face if mama does not do it immediately.

I like to use a "jumbo" cardboard storage chest (10" X 16" X 26") as a birthing box.  Put some old sheeting or toweling in side.  Put it somewhere you can easily get to, in a warm spot away from drafts, and away from young children and other pets.  You can half cover it with a towel, so it seems more den like.

Make sure your vet knows what is going on, so, in case she has trouble, you have arrangements about what you must do. If it makes you feeel better, you can always take her in for a pre-natal check up with your vet.

Please let me know if you have any more questions.

Best regards... Norm.







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

QUESTION: Thanks for your help with that. It has been a week now and still no kittens. Should I be worried? She still had her discharge stuck on her behind and it is hard and not coming off.

Answer
Cassidy,

I would take her to your vet and see what is going on.  She should have had them by now and, if she would try to have them, they may be too big. She is over 69 days, which is when we would take them to the vet. It may be she needs a c-section.  First litters are always a royal pain!!!!!

Please let me know what happens.

Best regards... Norm.