Page 87 - Complete Cat Care: How To Keep Your Cat Healthy and Happy

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△ Contented family within easy reach so she does
A mother cat relaxes as she suckles her litter. not have to move far from her
Her first milk, a nutritious fluid called colostrum,
contains antibodies to provide the kittens with kittens, leave the new family to
protection against disease. settle down in peace.
Postnatal complications are
attaches the kitten to the placenta. unusual in cats, but in the days
It is quite natural for the mother following delivery you should Queening and postnatal care
to eat the placenta, so do not keep a careful watch on both
attempt to stop her. Newly mother and kittens. In a newly
washed, the kitten will at once delivered queen, some light
start blindly nosing at its mother vaginal bleeding and discharge
in search of a teat to latch onto is normal and will continue for
for its first feeding. several days. If you notice any
If all has gone well, it should of the following signs in the △ Dropper feeding
not be long before the entire queen, you must contact your Rarely, a kitten needs to be hand-reared and
litter and their mother are vet immediately: fed artificially. It is vital to use the correct
equipment, milk formula, and technique, so
contentedly bonding with each ■ Prolonged or heavy vaginal always ask your vet for advice.
other. Disturbing them as little bleeding, or a foul-smelling,
as possible, remove soiled colored discharge. ■ Lethargy and lack of interest
bedding from the kittening box ■ Heat and swelling around the in her kittens.
and replace it with clean materials. teats, which may be accompanied Failure to thrive in kittens
After providing the queen with by a discharge. can also be an indication that
food, water, and a litter pan ■ Restlessness and loss of appetite. the health of the queen needs
prompt investigation. Kittens
“With a normal labor and birth, you should that have been orphaned or
rejected by their mother may
not need to do anything but monitor the survive with careful hand-
situation, without disturbing the queen.” rearing, but it takes time,
dedication, and the help of
your vet to achieve success.

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