Expert: Jessica - 3/8/2010

Question
QUESTION: I am to believe my cat is in labor or acts like it. but her nipples is a light pink and are not swollen is that normal? also she is squating and looking like shes pushing down is that a definite sign of labor for her?

ANSWER: Hi Bobbie.  If the mammary area is not swollen at all, I would be concerned that she is not producing any milk.  You should get her to a vet to find out.  Sometimes an injection of Pitocin can help with milk let down.  However, if she is not producing at all, you will need to bottle feed the babies immediately.

Any sign of pushing could indicate labor.  Squatting and pushing may indicate that she is in labor and confusing contractions with the need to defecate, but most cats deliver their kittens lying down on their side.  Just be sure to keep a close eye on her in case she is actually straining to urinate.  If she is urinating frequently, in small amounts, outside the litter box or it's taking her a long time to produce urine, these are signs she may have a urinary tract infection.  You should head right to the vet if she has any of these symptoms.

Good luck with your kitty and the upcoming litter!

Jessica



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

QUESTION: ok jessica! my cat should be ready to deliever or almost ready to deliever. I'm not sure if shes in false labor for a cat or if shes in full labor. PUSS is her name and she started squatting and pushing then she started KIND OF YELPNG!  THEN SHE WOULD GO ABOUT HER BUISNESS. BUT THEN I WOULD HERE YELPING,THEN I WOULD GET NOTHING.SO I REALLY CONFUSED. WE REALLY DIDN'T EXPECT IT BUT WE BELIEVE SHE GOT PREGNANT FROM HER BROTHER AND WE HOPE AND PRAY NOTHINGS WRONG WITH HER OR THE BABIES! BUT I LOOK AT HER PRIVAE PARTS AND IT LOOKS AS THOUGH SHE HASN'T PROGRESSED BUT VERY LITTLE WITHIN A HALF A DAY. I'M WORRIED BUT CAN'T AFFORD A VET PLEASE HELP WITH HOME REMEDIES OR SOMETHING.

Answer
Unfortunately, there is not so much you can do from home.  Like with humans, exercise can help speed labor along, so if your kitty is interested in play, encourage her by using interactive toys like feathers, ribbons or laser pointers.  However, in cats, it can also work in the opposite direction sometimes, because cats can delay labor if they are feeling stressed.  So if she does not appear interested in exercise and play, don't force it on her, as this will probably only worsen the situation.

As for her milk, again, there's not much you can do.  But pay special attention to the babies.  If the kittens are all quiet and content shortly after delivery and nursing, this is a signal that everything is probably fine.  Fussy, crying babies indicate that they are not receiving nourishment, and you should begin bottle feeding right away.  The kittens need to nurse within two hours of birth.

If this is the first generation of inbreeding, deformities are not highly likely, but be sure to have these kitties neutered to make sure you don't run into problems.  I hope all goes well!