Expert: Norman Auspitz - 2/27/2010

Question
Hello Norm

As you see I'm back, with a new dilemma ahead!

Malas is a 3 years old pure Persian queen, and she's pregnant for the third time in her life. Her last 2 pregnancies were normal and lead to healthy kittens. This time though it seems the case is different.

As a professional breeder I always pay attention to the mating date of my girls so I know when to expect kittens. Exactly 63 days after the (first) mating Malas went to labor. Purring, nesting, discharges and even pushing. It was a labor, but it suddenly stopped after about 30 minutes, With no kitten! She just had one small piece of meat, which she ate normally. Please notice that it was NOT a pre-mature kitten. I have seen hundreds of cat deliveries and I know how a pre-mature baby actually looks.

Anyways, she suddenly stopped pushing while no babies were born, and I thought it was weird but I waited for her to deliver the kittens. Something which has not happened yet.

Today is the 66th day of her pregnancy (Almost finished). She is doing well, eating well and looking healthy with no sign of labor. Something which makes me frustrated. The kittens are doing well too. They are moving fast and I can see that. They are alive.

As I was so worried I took her to the vet today. He did a radiology and then told me that her two kittens are not near the birth canal yet showing me the picture. I asked him about the small piece of meat she had, and also about all the labor signs she showed at the 63th day? "That was no problem" he replied.

I think he didn't know what actually had happned. He just assured me that "she will have her kittens in the next 2 or 3 days, and there's nothing to be worried about". Now, what do you think? What happened to Malas? Why she went to labor and then stopped pushing without any kitten? Do you think everything is normal? I'm so apprehensive. She's eating well and acts normal. However, she's drinking water more than usual in the last two or three days.

Please help

Soheil

Answer
Soheil,

What she probably delivered was a foetus where things went wrong in utero.  I have heard of this before, and, as often as not, the queen delivers a healthy litter at the proper time.  Still, I would keep a watchful eye on her to make sure nothing else untoward happens!!!!!

At the first sign of any trouble, off to the vet!!!!!

Best regards... Norm.