Expert: Jessica - 5/4/2011

Question
The other day I noticed that my cat was bleeding out of her area, she has only been pregnant a few weeks,and since there wasn't a lot of blood I cleaned her off and hoped that it wasn't serious. Yesterday morning I woke up and on the floor was a little bloody half-formed kitten. It was barely recognizable as a kitten but I've seen newborns before and I am positive that's what it was. My cat had no interest in the baby and I disposed of the poor kitten properly. My cat has been acting no different, her stomach does not feel hard anymore, she still eats and goes on with life the same. Everything that I've read says she Needs to go to the vet or she will die. I just can't afford a vet right now and I feel terrible. Is there anything I can do or anything you can suggest that would help my mom-cat and possibly save her life?
Thank you so much

Answer
Hi Samantha,

A cat who has miscarried does not necessarily need to see a vet. As long as no dead fetal tissue is left in the uterus, she should be fine. Many cats miscarry, most before the owner even realizes the cat is pregnant. In fact, most cats don’t deliver the fetuses, but the body absorbs them. In cases where the fetuses are delivered, the mother often eats them, and the owner never finds any evidence of a miscarriage.

I would recommend that you watch your cat very closely for any signs of illness. If she starts vomiting, stops eating, becomes lethargic or develops any discolored or foul-smelling discharge from the vagina, she should see a vet, or chances are good she WILL die. A spay will be required to save her. However, if she continues to carry on as normal, she probably has had a simple miscarriage, and nothing needs to be done, nor COULD anything be done, and no vet treatment is necessary.

There is also a slight chance she may have miscarried just the one kitten and she is still pregnant with others. She may go on to carry these to full term and deliver a healthy litter later.

Best wishes!

Jessica