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Expert: - 5/21/2011


Question
Our almost 2 yr old female cat recently had a litter of 4 kittens. We were around when she went in2 labor. She ate 3 of the placentas the 4th she wouldn't even look at. The kittens r nursing but the mommy seems out of it. She won't eat or drink anything n is panting like she's in pain. She's not bleeding but appears 2 have lost quite a bit of blood. Is it normal 4 her 2 b so tired n not eat or drink after giving birth? If so, how long b4 she begins 2 eat n drink? We r worried she may get dehydrated if she doesn't drink sumthing soon....

Answer
Angela,

First off, congratulations on your new litter.

Mama's behavior is not unusual. Actually, eating 1 placenta is really enough. It takes a day or two after giving birth for mama to get her strength and appetite back. Normally, after about 3 days, mama is back to normal.  Do not be surprised if she continues to hemorrhage a bit for a few days after birth.

Please let me know how she is doing.

Congratulatory regards... Norm

If she does not snap back in the time frame I mentioned, a post-natal examination by your vet might be a good idea.

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Norman Auspitz

Expertise

I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.

Experience

I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.


Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.

Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook

Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.

Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.

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