First Aid and Emergency Care for Dogs and Cats by Cats Are People Too - HTML preview

Difficult Birth

At the beginning of labor, the contractions may be infrequent, weak, or incomplete. The female may continue for up to 3 hours before a veterinary examination is necessary. If the contractions are frequent, regular, and strong, and no young is produced in 15 to 30 minutes, the pet should be taken to a veterinarian.

What to Do

**     If a baby is visible in the birth canal and appears stuck, gently grasp the foot or feet. With a steady motion gently pull on the baby only when the female is contracting. If the baby does not come out easily, transport the pet to a veterinarian.

**     When the baby is born, it will likely be covered in a membrane. If the mother doesn't remove it, tear this membrane and remove it from the head region of the baby.

**     If the mother doesn't remove the umbilical cord (or is being rough with it), tie it with a piece of string one fourth of an inch from the baby's abdomen. Then cut the cord one half of an inch from the abdomen with a sharp scissor. Apply iodine to the stump.

**     Keep the babies warm. It is best to leave them with their mother, but sometimes she doesn't stay with them. In this instance, put a milk bottle filled with warm water near the babies. A hot water bottle works, as does a heating pad (set on low only!) Allow room for the babies to move toward or away from the heat source.

What NOT to Do

**      Do not put your fingers in the birth canal as you may cause infection.

**     Do not forcibly attempt to remove a baby.

**     Do not assist delivery by pulling on the head of a baby.

**     Do not lift the baby by the umbilical cord.

**     Do not use a heating pad on a high or medium setting.

**     Most kitten and puppy births go smoothly, with the mother doing all the work. The babies contentedly nurse on the mother soon after birth.