Cat giving birth now! One Kitten Already Came Out Dead; What should I do?

[Bill]

Hi, I need some advice pronto on what to do.
A stray pregnant cat has wandered into our backyard and started giving
birth to a litter of kittens. One has already came out dead. We cut
the cord off and buried it. It looks like she has at least 5 or 6 more
inside her. I don't know much about a cat's birthing process, but it
looks like she is going through a difficult delivery. She looks like a
fairly young cat and this might be her first litter. Does anyone have
any advice on what I can do to help her out? She is laying down in the
flower bed right now. Should I put a box or something out for her to
get into? Due to medical problems I have not been able to work since
1998 so I don't have any money to take her to the vet.

Thanks,
Bill

[Karen]

I really think you should go to a vet, but it isn't uncommon for cats to
have still borns. What is she doing that seems stressful outside of regular
birth (she is going to pant, that would be normal, what else is she doing?)
How do you know how many she might have yet? Call around and see if there is
a vet that would work with you.

"Bill" > wrote in message
...
> Hi, I need some advice pronto on what to do.
> A stray pregnant cat has wandered into our backyard and started giving
> birth to a litter of kittens. One has already came out dead. We cut
> the cord off and buried it. It looks like she has at least 5 or 6 more
> inside her. I don't know much about a cat's birthing process, but it
> looks like she is going through a difficult delivery. She looks like a
> fairly young cat and this might be her first litter. Does anyone have
> any advice on what I can do to help her out? She is laying down in the
> flower bed right now. Should I put a box or something out for her to
> get into? Due to medical problems I have not been able to work since
> 1998 so I don't have any money to take her to the vet.
>
> Thanks,
> Bill

[Bill]

Thanks Karen,
I don't know anything about cats, so I came to this newsgroup seeking
help. I've never actually witnessed a cat giving birth so I don't know
exactly how they are supposed to act. She is just laying there real
still like she is dying or something. How long does it usually take
for all of the kittens to come out? She has been laying there for over
an hour. Her belly still looks really fat like there are more kittens
inside of her. I just feel sorry for her and want to try and help her
if I can. I will call a local vet and see what they say.

Bill

On Tue, 29 Mar 2005 15:24:54 -0600, "Karen"
> wrote:

>I really think you should go to a vet, but it isn't uncommon for cats to
>have still borns. What is she doing that seems stressful outside of regular
>birth (she is going to pant, that would be normal, what else is she doing?)
>How do you know how many she might have yet? Call around and see if there is
>a vet that would work with you.
>
>"Bill" > wrote in message
...
>> Hi, I need some advice pronto on what to do.
>> A stray pregnant cat has wandered into our backyard and started giving
>> birth to a litter of kittens. One has already came out dead. We cut
>> the cord off and buried it. It looks like she has at least 5 or 6 more
>> inside her. I don't know much about a cat's birthing process, but it
>> looks like she is going through a difficult delivery. She looks like a
>> fairly young cat and this might be her first litter. Does anyone have
>> any advice on what I can do to help her out? She is laying down in the
>> flower bed right now. Should I put a box or something out for her to
>> get into? Due to medical problems I have not been able to work since
>> 1998 so I don't have any money to take her to the vet.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Bill
>

[Karen]

That's the best thing, I mean, they can at least give you some advice. I
don't have a lot of experience either. Lying still doesn't sound right to me
at all. Please let us know what happens. Really try to wrangle some help
from a vet. Offer services, do you have a credit card? Can you offer to
leave post dated monthly check payments? Also look in your book for "no kill
shelters" or a rescue that might come to your aid.

"Bill" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks Karen,
> I don't know anything about cats, so I came to this newsgroup seeking
> help. I've never actually witnessed a cat giving birth so I don't know
> exactly how they are supposed to act. She is just laying there real
> still like she is dying or something. How long does it usually take
> for all of the kittens to come out? She has been laying there for over
> an hour. Her belly still looks really fat like there are more kittens
> inside of her. I just feel sorry for her and want to try and help her
> if I can. I will call a local vet and see what they say.
>
> Bill
>
> On Tue, 29 Mar 2005 15:24:54 -0600, "Karen"
> > wrote:
>
> >I really think you should go to a vet, but it isn't uncommon for cats to
> >have still borns. What is she doing that seems stressful outside of
regular
> >birth (she is going to pant, that would be normal, what else is she
doing?)
> >How do you know how many she might have yet? Call around and see if there
is
> >a vet that would work with you.
> >
> >"Bill" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> Hi, I need some advice pronto on what to do.
> >> A stray pregnant cat has wandered into our backyard and started giving
> >> birth to a litter of kittens. One has already came out dead. We cut
> >> the cord off and buried it. It looks like she has at least 5 or 6 more
> >> inside her. I don't know much about a cat's birthing process, but it
> >> looks like she is going through a difficult delivery. She looks like a
> >> fairly young cat and this might be her first litter. Does anyone have
> >> any advice on what I can do to help her out? She is laying down in the
> >> flower bed right now. Should I put a box or something out for her to
> >> get into? Due to medical problems I have not been able to work since
> >> 1998 so I don't have any money to take her to the vet.
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >> Bill
> >
>
>

[Meghan Noecker]

On Tue, 29 Mar 2005 15:07:48 -0600, Bill > wrote:

>Hi, I need some advice pronto on what to do.
>A stray pregnant cat has wandered into our backyard and started giving
>birth to a litter of kittens. One has already came out dead. We cut
>the cord off and buried it. It looks like she has at least 5 or 6 more
>inside her. I don't know much about a cat's birthing process, but it
>looks like she is going through a difficult delivery. She looks like a
>fairly young cat and this might be her first litter. Does anyone have
>any advice on what I can do to help her out? She is laying down in the
>flower bed right now. Should I put a box or something out for her to
>get into? Due to medical problems I have not been able to work since
>1998 so I don't have any money to take her to the vet.
>

Since this isn't your cat, and it sounds like you have never seen this
cat, take her to the vet. They will treat her and then give them all
to a shelter. They aren't going to sit back and let them all die. You
only have to pay if you want them back.

So, if they truly aren't yours, you have nothing to lose by taking
them to the vet. If she really us your cat, then you may well lose
her, but better to lose her to the vet/shelter than having her die in
childbirth.


--
Meghan & the Zoo Crew
Equine and Pet Photography
http://www.zoocrewphoto.com

[Cheryl]

On Tue 29 Mar 2005 05:09:42p, Meghan Noecker wrote in
rec.pets.cats.health+behav
):

> Since this isn't your cat, and it sounds like you have never
> seen this cat, take her to the vet. They will treat her and then
> give them all to a shelter. They aren't going to sit back and
> let them all die. You only have to pay if you want them back.

I didn't want to post without any advice, but I do have to ask if you
know of any vets personally that would do this? I sure don't. Color
me cynical, but in my experience as a pet companion person, most vets
are more interested in the revenue. Not that they wouldn't do pro
bono work if they had the time, but the ones I know just don't.

--
Cheryl

"The clever cat eats cheese and breathes down rat holes with baited
breath."
- W.C. Fields

[Karen]

"Cheryl" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue 29 Mar 2005 05:09:42p, Meghan Noecker wrote in
> rec.pets.cats.health+behav
> ):
>
> > Since this isn't your cat, and it sounds like you have never
> > seen this cat, take her to the vet. They will treat her and then
> > give them all to a shelter. They aren't going to sit back and
> > let them all die. You only have to pay if you want them back.
>
> I didn't want to post without any advice, but I do have to ask if you
> know of any vets personally that would do this? I sure don't. Color
> me cynical, but in my experience as a pet companion person, most vets
> are more interested in the revenue. Not that they wouldn't do pro
> bono work if they had the time, but the ones I know just don't.
>
Yeah, honestly, except for MY vet, I would expect a lot would turn around
and call animal control, if they even bother to help the cat at all. Maybe
not most but a lot would.

[Meghan Noecker]

On Tue, 29 Mar 2005 16:40:52 -0600, Cheryl
> wrote:

>On Tue 29 Mar 2005 05:09:42p, Meghan Noecker wrote in
>rec.pets.cats.health+behav
):
>
>> Since this isn't your cat, and it sounds like you have never
>> seen this cat, take her to the vet. They will treat her and then
>> give them all to a shelter. They aren't going to sit back and
>> let them all die. You only have to pay if you want them back.
>
>I didn't want to post without any advice, but I do have to ask if you
>know of any vets personally that would do this? I sure don't. Color
>me cynical, but in my experience as a pet companion person, most vets
>are more interested in the revenue. Not that they wouldn't do pro
>bono work if they had the time, but the ones I know just don't.
>

Yes, when my mom found a stray that had been hit by a car, she took it
to the local vet, not our normal vet. They took him in with head
injuries, gave him pain relief while they tested him for diseases that
would have meat treatment moot. Then they did the surgery. They wired
his jaw in two places, sewed his damaged eye shut, and neutered him.

They did not request any payment as it wasn't our cat. I have never
had a vet that doesn't require at least some payment the day of
surgery.

After 3 days of visiting the cat, my mom asked how much it would be to
keep him. It was a little over $700, and compared to their regular
rates, it was discounted a bit. And they took payments, which I have
never experienced.

The vet also called us a few time to check on him, and when we took
him back when he was losing weight, she didn't charge for everything.
One visit was completely free.





--
Meghan & the Zoo Crew
Equine and Pet Photography
http://www.zoocrewphoto.com

[Meghan Noecker]

On Tue, 29 Mar 2005 16:52:29 -0600, "Karen"
> wrote:

>
>"Cheryl" > wrote in message
...
>> On Tue 29 Mar 2005 05:09:42p, Meghan Noecker wrote in
>> rec.pets.cats.health+behav
>> ):
>>
>> > Since this isn't your cat, and it sounds like you have never
>> > seen this cat, take her to the vet. They will treat her and then
>> > give them all to a shelter. They aren't going to sit back and
>> > let them all die. You only have to pay if you want them back.
>>
>> I didn't want to post without any advice, but I do have to ask if you
>> know of any vets personally that would do this? I sure don't. Color
>> me cynical, but in my experience as a pet companion person, most vets
>> are more interested in the revenue. Not that they wouldn't do pro
>> bono work if they had the time, but the ones I know just don't.
>>
>Yeah, honestly, except for MY vet, I would expect a lot would turn around
>and call animal control, if they even bother to help the cat at all. Maybe
>not most but a lot would.
>


Well, I honestly don't know why the vet my mom went to was so nice.,
Perhaps she was not busy and felt she had the the extra time. Maybe
she just felt sorry for this poor kitty. I don't know. She seemed to
genuinely care about him, and it was obvious he was just a stray (he
was extremely underweight as well as having the head injuries).



--
Meghan & the Zoo Crew
Equine and Pet Photography
http://www.zoocrewphoto.com

[Karen]

in article , Meghan Noecker at
wrote on 3/30/05 2:20AM:

> On Tue, 29 Mar 2005 16:52:29 -0600, "Karen"
> > wrote:
>
>>
>> "Cheryl" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> On Tue 29 Mar 2005 05:09:42p, Meghan Noecker wrote in
>>> rec.pets.cats.health+behav
>>> ):
>>>
>>>> Since this isn't your cat, and it sounds like you have never
>>>> seen this cat, take her to the vet. They will treat her and then
>>>> give them all to a shelter. They aren't going to sit back and
>>>> let them all die. You only have to pay if you want them back.
>>>
>>> I didn't want to post without any advice, but I do have to ask if you
>>> know of any vets personally that would do this? I sure don't. Color
>>> me cynical, but in my experience as a pet companion person, most vets
>>> are more interested in the revenue. Not that they wouldn't do pro
>>> bono work if they had the time, but the ones I know just don't.
>>>
>> Yeah, honestly, except for MY vet, I would expect a lot would turn around
>> and call animal control, if they even bother to help the cat at all. Maybe
>> not most but a lot would.
>>
>
>
> Well, I honestly don't know why the vet my mom went to was so nice.,
> Perhaps she was not busy and felt she had the the extra time. Maybe
> she just felt sorry for this poor kitty. I don't know. She seemed to
> genuinely care about him, and it was obvious he was just a stray (he
> was extremely underweight as well as having the head injuries).
>
>
>
> --
> Meghan & the Zoo Crew
> Equine and Pet Photography
> http://www.zoocrewphoto.com
It's good to hear that. I"m certain there are those out there. Once, I would
have thought all vets would do this, but I'm afraid I don't believe it
anymore. What eventually happened with this kitty?

[Cheryl]

On Wed 30 Mar 2005 03:17:53a, Meghan Noecker wrote in
rec.pets.cats.health+behav
):

> Yes, when my mom found a stray that had been hit by a car, she
> took it to the local vet, not our normal vet. They took him in
> with head injuries, gave him pain relief while they tested him
> for diseases that would have meat treatment moot. Then they did
> the surgery. They wired his jaw in two places, sewed his damaged
> eye shut, and neutered him.
>
> They did not request any payment as it wasn't our cat. I have
> never had a vet that doesn't require at least some payment the
> day of surgery.
>
> After 3 days of visiting the cat, my mom asked how much it would
> be to keep him. It was a little over $700, and compared to their
> regular rates, it was discounted a bit. And they took payments,
> which I have never experienced.
>
> The vet also called us a few time to check on him, and when we
> took him back when he was losing weight, she didn't charge for
> everything. One visit was completely free.
>
>

She's a very nice vet and I'm glad your mom found her. :)

--
Cheryl

"The clever cat eats cheese and breathes down rat holes with baited
breath."
- W.C. Fields

[Meghan Noecker]

On Wed, 30 Mar 2005 07:41:41 -0600, Karen > wrote:


>It's good to hear that. I"m certain there are those out there. Once, I would
>have thought all vets would do this, but I'm afraid I don't believe it
>anymore. What eventually happened with this kitty?
>

We took him home, and he was healing well. The vet was thrilled with
the jaw healing nicely. And after a week of his eye being sewn shut,
she was satisfied that his tear duct was working again, and they
wouldn't have to remove the damaged eye.

Unfortunately, he was extremely underweight, and while he initially
gained weight, he started vomiting and having diarrhea. We went back
several times. She gave me samples of special food, and we tried him
on a bland diet as well. She gave him supplements that would help him
gain weight and made sure he wasn't getting dehydrated.

he was approximately 8 months old, and longer than my 9 lb cat, but he
weighed just over 6 lbs when he arrived, and under 6 lbs when he died.
He was a walking skeleton. I could feel every bone, even some of his
skull that normally cannot be felt. He just didn't have anything left
to fight with. He only lived about 2 weeks after coming home with us.
He had seemed better and even been to the vet the day before. But I
got home from work, and found him lying on my floor, looking worse. It
was after 11pm, and no 24 hour vet. I prayed he would make it til 8am
when the vet opened. I plan to be sitting outside at 7am so I could
get in as soon as possible, but he died at 3:06am.

It is the worst memory of my life so far, but I am greatful for what
he taught me, and that includes his death. I used to doubt myself for
choosing to put my first dog and cat down. I knew rationally that
their quality of life was gone, and I chose the right time. But I had
always hoped that they would die at home, peacefully, in my arms. When
Jasper died, it was at home, and he was in my arms, but there was
nothing peaceful about it. I know I could not have done any better
since we didn't have a 24 hour vet, and he seemed fine earlier in the
day. But I will never doubt myself again about making the decision.

I also learned about courage and determination and attitude. He left a
huge impression in that short time.

Jasper means "hidden treasure", and I have a treasure chest, painted
black with white feet on the outside, and gold eyes when you open the
lid. Inside, I have a couple bad photos of him (they were supposed to
be the "before" shots in a before and after series) as well as several
types of jasper rock (including some tear shaped stones), his vet
bill, card from the vet and others, a small wood cat painted like him,
the last jar of baby food that he never got to eat, and a page ripped
from a catalog. It shows the stones of the zodiac. I had never heard
of them, and I am not into astrological stuff, but I got this catalog
about a week after Jasper arrived. It was funny because I am a Leo
(cat), and the stone for Leo is Jasper.

Eventually, I will get a larger treasure chest. This one barely holds
these things. I have other things as well, a large beanie baby that
looks similar to him, a nightlight, etc. My mom and my sister find
things that look like him and give them to me for Christmas from him.

I should mention that we have a fun thing at our house for Christmas.
We buy multiple gifts for each other, and it gets rather boring
putting the same old name as the gift giver for everything we buy. So,
we use the pet's names. It's still obvious who it came from by the
handwriting and various wrapping papers as well as which animal it
comes from. For example, all gifts to my mom will be from *my* animals
*or* hers. But I would not give a gift to my mom from my sister's cat.
Anything from Chase would be from my nephew or for my nephew. And
ghosts are still valid, if the gift is appropriate to that animal.
All Jasper looking items will be from Jasper. When my sister found a
cute poster that looked like my cat, Fiona, it was addressed from
Fiona. If find a notepad that looks Tiger, I give it to my sister
from Tiger. It is really fun, and we have a great time with it. It's
amazing how well these guys shop :)








--
Meghan & the Zoo Crew
Equine and Pet Photography
http://www.zoocrewphoto.com

[Karen]

in article , Meghan Noecker at
wrote on 3/31/05 3:57AM:

> On Wed, 30 Mar 2005 07:41:41 -0600, Karen > wrote:
>
>
>> It's good to hear that. I"m certain there are those out there. Once, I would
>> have thought all vets would do this, but I'm afraid I don't believe it
>> anymore. What eventually happened with this kitty?
>>
>
> We took him home, and he was healing well. The vet was thrilled with
> the jaw healing nicely. And after a week of his eye being sewn shut,
> she was satisfied that his tear duct was working again, and they
> wouldn't have to remove the damaged eye.
>
> Unfortunately, he was extremely underweight, and while he initially
> gained weight, he started vomiting and having diarrhea. We went back
> several times. She gave me samples of special food, and we tried him
> on a bland diet as well. She gave him supplements that would help him
> gain weight and made sure he wasn't getting dehydrated.
>
> he was approximately 8 months old, and longer than my 9 lb cat, but he
> weighed just over 6 lbs when he arrived, and under 6 lbs when he died.
> He was a walking skeleton. I could feel every bone, even some of his
> skull that normally cannot be felt. He just didn't have anything left
> to fight with. He only lived about 2 weeks after coming home with us.
> He had seemed better and even been to the vet the day before. But I
> got home from work, and found him lying on my floor, looking worse. It
> was after 11pm, and no 24 hour vet. I prayed he would make it til 8am
> when the vet opened. I plan to be sitting outside at 7am so I could
> get in as soon as possible, but he died at 3:06am.
>
> It is the worst memory of my life so far, but I am greatful for what
> he taught me, and that includes his death. I used to doubt myself for
> choosing to put my first dog and cat down. I knew rationally that
> their quality of life was gone, and I chose the right time. But I had
> always hoped that they would die at home, peacefully, in my arms. When
> Jasper died, it was at home, and he was in my arms, but there was
> nothing peaceful about it. I know I could not have done any better
> since we didn't have a 24 hour vet, and he seemed fine earlier in the
> day. But I will never doubt myself again about making the decision.
>
> I also learned about courage and determination and attitude. He left a
> huge impression in that short time.
>
> Jasper means "hidden treasure", and I have a treasure chest, painted
> black with white feet on the outside, and gold eyes when you open the
> lid. Inside, I have a couple bad photos of him (they were supposed to
> be the "before" shots in a before and after series) as well as several
> types of jasper rock (including some tear shaped stones), his vet
> bill, card from the vet and others, a small wood cat painted like him,
> the last jar of baby food that he never got to eat, and a page ripped
> from a catalog. It shows the stones of the zodiac. I had never heard
> of them, and I am not into astrological stuff, but I got this catalog
> about a week after Jasper arrived. It was funny because I am a Leo
> (cat), and the stone for Leo is Jasper.
>
> Eventually, I will get a larger treasure chest. This one barely holds
> these things. I have other things as well, a large beanie baby that
> looks similar to him, a nightlight, etc. My mom and my sister find
> things that look like him and give them to me for Christmas from him.
>
> I should mention that we have a fun thing at our house for Christmas.
> We buy multiple gifts for each other, and it gets rather boring
> putting the same old name as the gift giver for everything we buy. So,
> we use the pet's names. It's still obvious who it came from by the
> handwriting and various wrapping papers as well as which animal it
> comes from. For example, all gifts to my mom will be from *my* animals
> *or* hers. But I would not give a gift to my mom from my sister's cat.
> Anything from Chase would be from my nephew or for my nephew. And
> ghosts are still valid, if the gift is appropriate to that animal.
> All Jasper looking items will be from Jasper. When my sister found a
> cute poster that looked like my cat, Fiona, it was addressed from
> Fiona. If find a notepad that looks Tiger, I give it to my sister
> from Tiger. It is really fun, and we have a great time with it. It's
> amazing how well these guys shop :)
>
>
>
Awww. so sorry he did not make it. But it is amazing how these little
critters are such forces in our lives.