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Cats/How long does it take for a cat to restart labor after stopping?
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Question
My cat went into labor over 24 hours ago. She delivered three kitttens
within the first two hours then her labor stopped. I can still feel more
kittens in her but she's acting completely normal as if it's over. She's
eating, sleeping, n caring for her three kittens. I've heard that a cat can
stop labor for a day but it's been over 24 hours and she shows no signs of
delivering the rest. Should I be concerned?
Sharon,
It's not normal for a cat's labor to stall for over 24 hours, in fact it's a sign that there may be some sort of complication (such as a kitten blocking the birth canal that's too large to deliver vaginally, as well as a variety of other issues) that's making it difficult for mom to deliver her remaining kittens. My recommendation at this time would be to package up mom and her newborn kittens and have her assessed by a vet ASAP - the lives of the kittens still inside of mom depend on quick action for their survival. Your vet will determine whether there are any kittens remaining inside of mom, if there are the recommendation might be to deliver the remaining babies by caesarian section. If the vet has to perform this surgery it's in mom's best interests to have her spayed at the same time to prevent further pregnancies and complications associated with delivery of the kittens. If you have any further cat related questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me again - I'm happy to do all that I can to help you and your cats.
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Answers by Expert:
Ali
Expertise
I am the proud guardian of 5 mixed breed cats ranging from 12 weeks to 13 years old and one purebred ragdoll. I have 20+ years experience working with mixed breed cats from a variety of different situations. I have fostered cats/kittens with special needs/behavioral issues. I have rescued/rehabilitated/re-homed a variety of stray/abused cats. I can offer advice on managing feral cat colonies, rehabilitating strays and finding them forever homes. I can help you to determine whether a cat is stray or feral, there IS a significant difference. Improperly introducing a new cat/kitten can result in aggression between newly introduced cats because cats are territorial by nature and they don't like sudden changes in their environment. To learn more about a peaceful way to introduce a new cat into a home with other cats please check out my previous answers on this subject. Proper nutrition for cats can be confusing, I recommend checking out catinfo.org which was created by a veterinarian (Dr. Lisa Pierson) who takes a common sense approach to explaining feline nutrition. Cat behavior and instincts are different from those of humans, I can help you understand your cat's needs so that you can meet them adequately and have a balanced, psychologically and physically sound kitty. Cats vary in personality, energy level and intelligence, different approaches may be required to achieve results in terms of training and interaction with your feline companion. An intelligent, high energy cat must be kept busy or they will make their own fun. I am NOT a licensed veterinarian and I can't offer medical advice. If your cat is ill/injured my advice is always the same: get prompt medical treatment provided by a veterinarian. If finances are an issue I will try to find resources in your area that can help with medical costs or make other choices to ensure the welfare of your cat.
Experience
I have fostered feral and stray cats, rehabilitated and homed cats that many people recommended euthanasia for. I am willing to make an effort to do the research and ask questions because I care enough to find solutions to behavioral problems rather than giving up. I have an interest in the use of alternative therapies to help provide the best possible care for all cats and I can say in all honesty that I've seen some incredible things happen for some incredible cats and their human caregivers when the right alternative therapeutic modality is used by a qualified veterinarian with expertise and experience in the field.
Education/Credentials
I've earned my diploma as a veterinary assistant with honors.
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