Birth & Delivery

Articles about the birth and delivery of kittens

Titles marked with a red asterisk * are for ShowCatsOnline.com members only.

• * Acupuncture Can Save Your Newborn
  An acupuncture technique you can easily learn which may save the life of your newborn kitten!
  
  July 2005


• * Antibiotics For Newborns
  Which antibiotics are best for newborn kittens?
  
  January 2006


• * Birth Of A Kitten
  This photo essay shows a typical birth of a kitten from the first contraction through delivery.
  
  January 2009


• * Birth of A Kitten (Breech Presentation)
  While most kittens are born head first, it is also quite common for a kitten to be born tail first, a position called a breech birth. This article includes a series of photos showing a kitten being born breech....
  
  June 2009


• * Birthing Problems
  Learn what birthing behavior falls within the range of `normal` and when the queen needs help to deliver her kittens.
  
  February 2003


• * Birthing Process Made Easy
  Whether you are a newbie or an old hand at delivering kittens, this is an excellent article for refining your mid-wife-ing skills. It covers everything from before delivery of the kittens, cutting the cord, right up to the kittens snuggling up to their mo
  
  January 2001


• * Born With Intestines On The Outside
  Even an experienced breeder can be taken aback at the birth of a kitten born with the intestines outside the body. Do you know what to do should this happen?
  
  July 2009


• * Bovine Colostrum
  Bovine Colostrum can be an important addition to any milk substitute formula used in hand-rearing a newborn kitten. Bovine colostrum can provide the newborn with essential immunity against disease.
  
  September 2001


• * C-Section Before & After Care
  Knowing how to best prepare your queen for a c-section and take care of her afterwards can make the difference between a queen who raises her litter on her own successfully or rejects it completely.
  
  November 2004


• * C-Section Scenarios #1-#10
  When labor and delivery does not go normally, it can be an anguishing decision whether to schedule the mother-to-be for a c-section, or whether to wait and see if the queen can deliver naturally. Test your knowledge and instincts by deciding what you would do given specific birthing scenarios ...
  
  June 2009


• * C-Section Scenarios #11-#20
  The response to the first article in this series was overwhelming - and so her are another 10 more real-life feline pregnancies for you to test your knowledge and instincts by deciding what you would do given specific birthing scenarios ...
  
  July 2009


• * C-Sections & Your Veterinarian
  Every breeder should have a discussion with their veterinarian regarding his procedures should a cat need a c-section. Don't wait until a c-section is needed to find out your vet's views and techniques....
  
  March 2009


• Caring For A Kitten Born With A Twisted Leg
  More common than originally thought, a kitten born with a twisted leg can grow up to be perfectly normal. Learn the simple things you can do to help.
  
  September 2005


• * Clearing A Newborn Kitten's Airway
  A kitten may have amniotic fluids in its mouth and nose directly at its birth. It is essentail that these fluids are cleared from the newborn's airways in order for it to breath. Learn the techniques to clear the kitten's airways through a series of photos...
  
  May 2009


• * Cleft Palate in a Newborn Kitten
  The most common birth defect in cats is a cleft palate. There are some things you can do to reduce your chances of producing a kitten with this problem.
  
  February 2002


• * Cutting The Umbilical Cord
  Cutting the cord of a newborn is the most common `surgery` the cat breeder is called upon to perform. Enjoy a step-by-step description of the process, complete with photographs.
  
  December 2003


• * Degrees of Cleft Palate
  Cleft palate is a birth defect that occurs in all breeds of cats. Sometimes it is a minor problem and sometimes it is severe. Photos of newborn kittens show you exactly what to look for.
  
  June 2002


• * Difficult Birth
  A Siamese breeder shares her experience with the delivery of a very large kitten...
  
  February 2008


• * Dopram
  A few drops of this medication may save your newborn kitten by helping it take its first breath.
  
  November 2005


• Grace`s Litter
  A breeder shares the experience of her first litter...
  
  June 2004


• Kitten Due Date Calculator
  Simply type in the date of the first day your queen was bred, and her Due Date will be calculated for you.
  
  July 2002


• * Mummified Fetus Case History
  Follow the experience of one breeder as her Persian cat, Star, gives birth to five healthy kittens - and two mummified fetuses ...
  
  January 2010


• * Mummified Fetus In Cats
  While not common, occasionally a pregnant cat may give birth to a mummified fetus along with fully developed, healthy kittens. Learn more about this condition and its causes ...
  
  January 2010


• * Oxytocin
  Learn when to use oxytocin to help your pregnant queen deliver her kittens safely.
  
  February 2006


• * Palpating For Kittens
  Learn how to palpate your queen to confirm pregnancy and count kittens. This is a useful skill for the modern cat breeder to develop!
  
  October 2005


• * Post-Delivery Queen
  Knowing what is `normal` behavior in a female cat following the delivery of her kittens is important in determining whether or not to intervene in her care of her newborn litter...
  
  October 2007


• * Premature Births
  Discover the cause of premature births, plus the signs and prognosis of various degrees of premature birth in kittens.
  
  June 2008


• * Red Raspberry Leaves & Marshmallow Root
  These two simple herbs can be used to supplement your pregnant queen`s diet to help her have an easier delivery and produce more milk.
  
  April 2005


• * Retained Placenta
  If your cat gives birth and retains a placenta, it can be a serious risk to her health.
  
  January 2006


• * Reviving A Newborn Kitten
  One of the critical skills every breeder should learn is the various techniques for helping a newborn kitten to start breathing.
  
  November 2004


• * Scales For Weighing Kittens
  When you purchase a scale, there are certain features you need to consider in making a wise purchase.
  
  September 2003


• * Signs of Distress In A Newborn Kitten
  The key to detecting signs of distress in a newborn is OBSERVATION. Time is of the essence when dealing with a newborn.
  
  July 2004


• * Swimmer Syndrome
  Swimmer Syndrome is the name given to a condition in young kittens characterized by the animal's failure to stand or crawl normally. Instead, while remaining in a lying position on its tummy, the kitten moves by paddling its feet out sideways in a swimming motion. Learn how this condition can be corrected if treated early.
  
  February 2009


• * Swinging A Newborn Kitten To Clear Its Airway
  You can use centrifugal force to remove fluids from the mouth nose, throat or even the lungs of a newborn kitten. Learn this simple technique that may save the life of a kitten...
  
  May 2009


• * Three Stages of Labor
  By understanding the three stages of labor you will know better what to expect when your cat delivers her kittens...
  
  March 2006


• * What Should You Have in your Birthing Kit?
  Some breeders have the bare basics in their birthing kit. Look in someone else`s `kit` and they are almost prepared to perform a Caesarian section. What should you have in a your birthing kit?
  
  June 2001


• * When To Have A C-Section
  Do you know when you should take your pregnant cat in for a c-section? What are the signs that she is in trouble? How long should you wait? What are the risks? Learn the answers to these questions and much more....
  
  April 2009