Expert: Jessica - 1/17/2012

Question
I am a Vet tech and right now to be honest I am a little worried. My mother's 2 year old female cat had one kitten last night on the floor where other cats were she ran off and didn't clean the kitten or stimulate to breath the kitten had died when we had found it sack still attached. We moved her to a better area that is dark, quiet and warm but she seems to have stopped her labor. When should we be concerned and take her to the vet? She has a warm wet nose and still isn't eating or drinking so my best bet would be shes still in labor. I felt her abdomen and I can still feel kittens maybe 3. I read an article online that a queen can get pregnant and different times and have two different labors. It this true? I have never seen or heard of it until tonight.

Answer
Hi Cydni,

Yes, this is true. When an animal is pregnant and then conceives a second pregnancy, the phenomenon is called superfetation. It can happen in any animal, and in all animals, it's rare. However, because cats are induced ovulators, meaning that the act of mating induces ovulation, it is a little more common in cats than in some other animals. Still, cats who have conceived at two different times will nearly always deliver all the kittens at the same time. This results in some kittens that are born at full term and some that are born prematurely. It's uncommon for two deliveries to occur, with each litter being born at their appropriate delivery dates.

That being said, it's not uncommon for a cat to have a delay between delivering kittens. Sometimes, this is normal. A cat's uterus is divided into two horns, and often, all the kittens in one horn are delivered, and then the cat rests. There may be no signs of labor during this time. It may last 6-12 hours, or even longer. Then, the rest of the kittens are born.

At other times, stress can cause labor to cease. Or, stress can cause an early labor - a kitten might be delivered prematurely, and the rest of the litter is carried to full term. Either of these might be true in this case.

And there are more reasons for a cat to have delays between kittens. Exhaustion, stillbirth, and physical inability to deliver a kitten are a few. If the mother is not straining to deliver, but it goes more than six hours between kittens, or if she IS straining to deliver, and it goes more than 45 minutes, you should call a vet. She may need an injection of Pitocin to strengthen contractions. An x-ray may be required to ensure the kittens are all able to be delivered naturally. If they are not, a c-section will be necessary. If she appears very uncomfortable, has difficult breathing or excessive bleeding, get her to the vet right away.

I hope all goes well!
Jessica