Cat Breeding Problems

Problems can happen during pregnancy either to the mother cat or to her kittens. If you need to, make sure you take action.

Intussusception
This is not common and is a bowl disorder where the intestine doubles back on itself in telescopic fashion, causing an obstruction. The symptoms are lack of appetite and no evidence of stools being passed, because the intestine is blocked.
Action: In a minor case it is possible to operate and remove the offending portion of bowel; in a compound case the prognosis is not good and the affected kitten will probably have to be humanely destroyed by your vet.

Lack Of Milk
In general, mother's milk is generated by supply and demand; if the kittens are not hungry or indeed well enough to wish to suckle, the mother's supply of milk will dry up. Mastitis is another cause of this. In a very large litter the mother may not have enough milk to go round.
Action: If the litter is large, you will need to rotate the kittens, then top up with a foster feeder bottle containing evaporated milk diluted one part milk to three parts cooled boiled water. Proprietary cat milk substitutes are available but they can sometimes cause constipation in small kittens.

Mastitis
Mastitis usually affects the lactating queen. The symptoms are of general ill health, and the most obvious sign is that one or several of the mammary glands is impacted and feels hot and lumpy to touch. The danger here, if the queen is still sucking, is that the kittens will drink infected milk and so suffer a form of poisoning.
Action: It is important to ensure that the kittens do not suckle from an infected gland; you can do this by bandaging over the affected nipple, but your vet will advise the best course of action. It is also important to get the queen to the vet as soon as possible, for a confirmed diagnosis, advice, and prescription of a suitable course of antibiotics.

Pyometra
This can affect a cat at any age but is more likely to occur after kittening. It is an infection of the uterus and is most commonly indicated by a thick, creamy secretion from the vulva.
Action: In mild cases it can be treated with antibiotics but if severe, it requires the removal of the reproductive organs - this is, the cat has to be spayed.