Birth Difficulties in Cats

Dystocia in Cats

A difficult experience is medically referred to as dystocia. It may occur as a result of maternal or fetal factors, and can occur during any stage of the labor. Abnormalities of presentation, posture, and the position of the fetus within the uterus can negatively affect the temporal relationship between the birthing offspring and the maternal birth canal.

Uterine inertia (inactivity) may be primary or secondary. Primary inertia is symptomized by a failure of the body to commence synchronous uterine contractions, and secondary inertia is symptomized by a cessation of uterine contractions due to uterine fatigue. This latter condition sometimes occurs when labor has gone on longer than the uterine muscles are capable of meeting the demands for.

There are three stages of labor. The first stage of labor entails the start of uterine contractions, relaxation of the cervix, and rupture of the chorioallantoic sac (water breaking). The female cat (queen) will purr and socialize during the first stage of labor. The purring is thought to be a self-relaxation technique.

The second stage of labor is when the fetuses are pushed out by uterine contractions. In cats the average length of full parturition (delivery) is 16 hours, with a range of 4–42 hours (up to three days in some cases may be normal). It is important to consider this variability before intervening.

The third stage is delivery of the fetal membranes. The female cat may alternate between stage two and three with multiple fetuses being delivered. She may deliver one or two fetuses followed by one or two fetal membranes, or she may deliver a fetus followed by its accompanying fetal membrane.

Symptoms and Types

Symptoms of dystocia:

• More than 30 minutes of persistent, strong, abdominal contractions without expulsion of offspring
• More than four hours from the onset of stage two to delivery of first offspring
• More than two hours between delivery of offspring
• Failure to commence labor within 24 hours of the drop in rectal temperature - below 99° F (37.2° C) (Note that drop in rectal temperature is not always consistent)
• Female cries, displays signs of pain, and constantly licks the vulvar area when contracting
• Prolonged gestation – more than 68 days from the day of mating (See Breeding, Timing)
• Presence of bloody discharge prior to delivery of first offspring or between fetuses
• Diminished or absent Ferguson reflex (stimulation or pressure to the dorsal [upper] vaginal wall to elicit abdominal straining [feathering]); the lack of this response indicates uterine inertia

Causes

Fetal

• Oversize fetus
• Abnormal presentation, position, or posture of fetus in the birth canal
• Fetal death

Maternal

• Poor uterine contractions
• Ineffective abdominal press
• Inflammation of the uterus (usually caused by infection)
• Pregnancy toxemia (blood poisoning), gestational diabetes
• Abnormal pelvic canal from previous pelvic injury, abnormal conformation, or pelvic immaturity
• Congenitally small pelvis
• Abnormality of the vaginal vault
• Abnormality of the vulvar opening
• Insufficient cervical dilation
• Lack of adequate lubrication
• Uterine torsion
• Uterine rupture
• Uterine cancer, cysts or adhesions (due to previous inflammation)

Predisposing Factors to Dystocia

• Age
• Brachycephalic (short-headed) and toy breeds
• Persian and Himalayan breeds
• Obesity
• Abrupt changes in environment before cat goes into labor
• Previous history of dystocia

Diagnosis

You will need to give a thorough history of your cat's health, including any information you have about your cat's lineage, and details of any past pregnancies or reproductive problems. Your veterinarian will palpate (examine by touch) your cat's vaginal canal and cervix.

Your veterinarian will take samples for testing; at the minimum, a packed cell volume (PCV), a total protein, a BUN (blood urea nitrogen), a blood glucose, and a calcium concentration measurement. Your cat's blood progesterone levels will also be measured.

X-rays are crucial for determining the approximate number, size and location of the fetuses. X-rays may also show if the fetuses are still alive, but an ultrasound can give even more subtle measurements, such as indications of fetal stress, assessing placental separation, and the character of the fetal fluids.

Treatment

Cats that are in distress and have been diagnosed with dystocia should be treated on an inpatient basis until all of the offspring have been delivered and until the mother has stabilized. If uterine contractions are absent and there is no evidence of fetal stress, medical treatment will be initiated. Your cat's condition may be due to low blood sugar, low levels of blood calcium, inadequate oxytocin production by the body or an inadequate response to normal oxytocin production.

Agents used to promote uterine contractions should not be administered when obstructive dystocia is possible, as they may accelerate placental separation and fetal death, or may cause uterine rupture. Oxytocin, glucose and calcium can be supplemented as needed.

Manual delivery may be necessary to deliver a fetus that is lodged in the vaginal vault.

Your veterinarian will use digital manipulation to reposition the kitten, since this method provides the least amount of damage to the kitten and mother cat. If the vaginal vault is too small for digital manipulations, instruments, such as a spay hook or non-ratcheted forceps, may be used to assist in delivery. Throughout the process, your veterinarian will use adequate lubrication, always placing a finger in the vaginal vault to direct the instrument and always taking great care to protect the lives of both mother and kittens. With queens the use of instruments is not normally recommended because of the small size of the vaginal vault.

Extreme caution should be used under these circumstances. Undesirable complications include mutilation of the fetus and laceration of the vaginal canal or uterus. Traction should never be applied to the limbs of a live fetus. If there is a failure to deliver the fetus within 30 minutes a Cesarean section is indicated.

Living and Management

If your cat is a breed predisposed to dystocia, or if your cat has a personal or familial history of dystocia, ask your veterinarian about the possibility of scheduling an elective cesarean section before your cat can go into labor. It must be timed as precisely as possible to ensure the health of the mother and kittens. If you suspect early in labor that your cat is suffering from dystocia, contact your veterinarian immediately so as to prevent further complications in the lives of the mother and kittens.

Image: Orhan Cam via Shutterstock

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