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Question
I have recently taken in an adorably cuddly black kitten, only to find out she was expecting. She began giving birth 23 hours ago and has since delivered 3 kittens. I am not sure if she is done yet. Her vaginal area is very swollen, she seems uninterested in her kittens and was far to young to have a litter to begin with. I am concerned that she may still have another kitten to birth but can't be sure. Should I be concerned or is the swelling a sign that she is still in labor? There were many hours between the births of her first three kittens.
Jennifer,
It sounds to me like this baby girl needs to see a veterinarian to ensure that there aren't any other kittens that she's unable to deliver on her own without help. I would also recommend packing up the kittens with their mom so that the vet can assess the entire family and ensure that the babies are all healthy. If mom hasn't got any other kittens still inside of her womb needing to be delivered by caesarian then you may have to bottle feed the kittens. I can teach you to do this if you like or your veterinarian can explain the process to you.....Depending on where you are in Ontario I may be able to offer ongoing support to help you with these babies if you like (up to and including fostering the kittens if you don't have time to bottle raise them rather than placing them in a shelter as shelters are overwhelmed at this time of year). If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me again - I'm happy to help in any way that I can.
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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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