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Cats/newborn kittens

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Expert: - 6/11/2011


Question
hi i found a cat and she has 5 newborn kittens but they seem to be joined together somehow i didnt pull them apart because i am afraid i will hurt them what do you think would be the cause of this and what can i do to fix them

Answer
Hi Tammy,

If the umbilical cords are all tangled and this is what’s holding the kittens together, then you can use scissors to cut the umbilical cords apart. However, be very careful not to cut the cords any closer than one inch to any of the kittens’ bellies. Also, be very careful not to pull on the cords, because you can tear the cord away from the belly causing a bad wound.

However, if the kittens are actually joined as with conjoined twins, this is something a vet needs to address. If the kittens are able to nurse and they are only superficially conjoined, they may be able to be separated when they’re a few weeks old. However, most conjoined kittens don’t survive this long because of internal deformities, or because they’re unable to feed.

Best wishes!

Jessica

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Jessica

Expertise

The areas in which I have gained the most experience are cat health and feral cat management/rescue. I provide supportive care to chronically ill cats, hospice care to terminally ill cats and also am involved in trap-neuter-return efforts. My specialities lie in taming feral cats and in the allopathic treatment of cats with illnesses or special needs. I also have owned Siamese, Himalayans, Abyssinians, Russian Blues, Savannahs, Bengals, Peterbalds, Don Sphynx and Oriental Shorthairs and am well-versed in cat breeds as well as cat behavior and nutrition.

Experience

I have 15 years of extensive experience with cats ranging from breeding to medical care. My daily routine consists of caring for cats with diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney failure, feline leukemia, feline AIDS as well as feral cats. I have experience with liver patients, heart patients, feline infectious peritonitis, cancer, recovery from amputation and trauma, congenital deformities and most every disease in between. I have assisted cats giving birth and hand-nursed kittens who were neglected by their mother from 2 days old through weaning.

Education/Credentials
15 years' hands-on experience

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