- 1). Contact your veterinarian if you think your cat is pregnant to ensure that you will have professional help if needed.
- 2). Choose a quiet, warm location to place a basket or box lined with clean towels large enough for the mother cat to lie in and stretch out with her kittens. The sides should be at least 4 to 6 inches high'high enough to keep 4- to 6-week-old kittens from escaping, but low enough so that the mother can get in and out easily.
- 3). Avoid disturbing the mother during delivery, but observe her closely every few minutes to see how she is doing. Delivery should begin within 20 minutes of the first strong contraction; birth of the first kitten may take up to 60 minutes, but you should call your veterinarian if a kitten has not been delivered within 30 minutes since it may take a while to track down some help. Signs of labor include licking of the genital area, and straining in general.
- 4). Watch for amber fluid or a bulge (the amniotic sac) protruding from the mother's birth canal'this indicates that a kitten should be delivered within a few minutes.
- 5). If the mother has not removed the amniotic membrane within 1 minute after delivery, intervene and gently grasp the kitten in a clean towel and pull away the slimy material. Be certain the nose and mouth are free from fluid and tissue.
- 6). Rub the kitten with a towel along the shoulders and back to stimulate breathing. A healthy meow indicates an unobstructed airway.
- 7). If the mother has not chewed through the umbilical cord, sever it about 2 inches from the kitten's body, using sharp, sterilized scissors (sterilize with isopropyl alcohol). Gently pull the afterbirth from the birth canal.
- 8). Expect kittens to be delivered 15 to 45 minutes apart, but call your veterinarian if strong labor continues for 30 minutes without producing a kit-ten. Average litters contain three to six kittens.
- 9). Make sure that nursing begins in a few minutes. It is essential for the kittens to nurse from the mother to provide protection against disease.
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Supplement with commercially prepared milk replacer, available wherever pet supplies are sold, following your veterinarian's advice.
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