What is a congenital defect in a cat?
Congenital defects are abnormalities of structure, function or metabolism that are present at birth. A defect may cause physical impairment or it may cause the death of the kitten, before or after birth.
Why are some kittens born with birth defects?
Defects during development can also occur due to health issues of the mother, including stress and malnutrition. Taurine deficiency is known to hinder the development of the muscles and bones in kittens. Exposure to pharmaceuticals, toxins and chemicals can also lead to birth defects in kittens.
Why does my cat not want to give birth?
My cat can’t give birth, why? When a cat has problems when giving birth, or a kitten is stuck in the birth canal, it is often due to one of the following problems that can occur during a cat’s delivery, which need to be resolved with the help of a veterinarian. To be able to trigger labor, the kittens must be alive.
What are the most common kitten birth complications?
Common Kitten Birth Complications. Vaginal bleeding before the due date- May indicate spontaneous abortion or the impending birth of premature kittens. Dystochia- The mother has contractions for more than an hour with no delivery. The mother may have aborted or the kitten may be stuck in the birth canal.
Is it possible for a kitten to die during birth?
While less than one percent of kitten births involve complications, those few problems can be fatal and may require intervention to save the mother or kittens. Understanding the natural and expected course of a cat pregnancy will help an observer recognize when the mother needs help, either during the pregnancy or with kittening.
What happens if a kitten is born with a congenital defect?
Congenital defects are abnormalities of structure, function or metabolism that are present at birth. A defect may cause physical impairment or it may cause the death of the kitten, before or after birth. Congenital defects in stillborn kittens often go unrecognized because few stillborns are submitted for complete necropsy.
Why does my cat have problems giving birth?
When a cat has problems when giving birth, or a kitten is stuck in the birth canal, it is often due to one of the following problems that can occur during a cat’s delivery, which need to be resolved with the help of a veterinarian. Dead kittens. To be able to trigger labor, the kittens must be alive.
Why are some kittens born dead after birth?
Feline leukemia virus is another dangerous pathogen that can cause stillbirth in cats. Kittens who contract the disease from their mothers may pass away shortly after delivery. This effect is also called fading kitten syndrome.
Is it rare for a cat to have a difficult birth?
While many authors believe that problems in parturition (birth) are rare in the cat, others feel that with the progression of selective breeding these problems are becoming more common.