Expert: Jessica - 11/12/2010

Question
This past wed. My cat gave birth to 2 kittens and they only lived til the next day. I believe she still has more in her belly because I still feel movement. The first 2 kittens were very pink and I wonder if they were premature? The next day she was able to walk around and eat and use the litter. Today is friday and I still felt movement in her belly. Is it possible her pregnancy hasn't reached full term? Not much has changed but she's been staying under the bed often. I'm very worried and financially I'm hurt. Please help me out.

Answer
Hi Cassidy,

It is possible that she had the kittens prematurely.  Sometimes a couple of kittens are born before their due date, and then the rest of the litter is carried to full term.  Unfortunately, unless you know the date that she conceived, it's just about impossible to say if this is the case for sure.  If you DO know the date she conceived, she should deliver her litter between 63 and 68 days after she was bred.

The best idea, of course, would be to get her to a vet to check her out and make sure she doesn't have a kitten stuck in the birth canal that's preventing her from delivering the rest of the litter.  It's also possible that the kittens might not have survived because mom's milk flow is insufficient, and the vet can check for that.  Sometimes a shot of oxytocin can help, but you might need to prepare to bottle feed the litter.

However, I know times are tough, financially, and a vet visit might not be feasible.  In cases where kittens are born prematurely but survive for any amount of time after delivery, the actual due date is typically not much farther than a week away.  I would be expecting the rest of the litter in the very near future.  If the kittens don't come within the next several days, or if your kitty stops eating, becomes socially withdrawn, develops a foul vaginal discharge, or starts vomiting, I would try to find any way possible to get her to a vet right away.  Some vets will make payment arrangements with you, and sometimes there are even credit options, emergency funds and discounts available for those with financial challenges.

Good luck!

Jessica