'I named all kittens, although they were all stillborn.' 'My pregnant cat has a bloody vaginal discharge.' 'I had a litter of five, but only one kitten survived.'
These are only a few of the horror stories I received the past weeks. Cat lovers that had hoped for a healthy litter, suddenly found themselves with stillborn kittens or an ill mother cat.
There's a lot that can go wrong when cats are pregnant or give birth, even when most cats deliver without major problems.
Among the dozens of possible complications are infections in the womb, death of the fetuses, spontaneous abortion, development of fetuses outside the womb, suffocation of a kitten right after birth, kittens that get stuck in the birth canal ... it's a long list.
For experienced breeders and specialized vets it's easy to recognize such problems. But things are different for a regular pet lover. Many female cats have only one litter during their life.
Some people rush off to the vet when their pregnant cat is only a little tired of walking around. Others wait too long because they are unaware of the discharge from their cat's vagina. Or they don't know how to cut an umbilical cord without causing a heavy bleeding.
Where it all comes down to, is this: if you know how to recognize complications, you can do a lot to prevent the worst. Seeing a vet might not even be necessary then - which is not only good news for your cat, but also for your budget.
And if you have the right skills, you can save a kitten's life when something goes wrong during birth. Yes, even you can obtain these skills!
Time is of the essence with most medical issues. But when you have a pregnant pet, educating yourself is just as important.
Spend time on reading about pregnancy in cats. Talk with a professional breeder. Ask your vet for advice once you realize your cat is pregnant.
Don't sit back and think all goes well. With a little time and effort, you can save yourself and your cat a devastating experience.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Journalist and long-time cat lover Marc de Jong is the author of How To Take Care Of Your Pregnant Cat, a unique ebook that tells you all about pregnant cats, birth and raising kittens. Read more here: http://www.pregnant-cat-care.com
Chicago limo Skokie ..Just how old is your dog really? More than likely... Read More
Have you ever thought about what you need to do... Read More
Hi,I'm Janet CombsMy mother bred and raised Bichon Frises for... Read More
With ancestors who were a breed of tenacious terriers, most... Read More
If your cat has recently decided not to use the... Read More
The American Kennel Club recognizes 150 different dog breeds. There... Read More
So you just loved that sweet little puppy that you... Read More
Losing a family pet can be a traumatic experience, especially... Read More
Even with the best care, cats can become ill. Sometimes... Read More
Reading a pet food label, how difficult can it be?... Read More
There are many places to find Westie merchandise, but before... Read More
The West Highland Terrier is a friendly dog, and is... Read More
While your friends and family are amazed that you're raising... Read More
Can Your Dog Stomach This?There's an old adage that says... Read More
Kittens are and have always been adorable creatures. Of course,... Read More
Cats are becoming increasingly popular as pets these days, and... Read More
Every year, many cat owners decide to get their cat... Read More
BackgroundSilkworms are the larva of a moth (Bombyx mori) native... Read More
Proper training of your dog should begin when he is... Read More
If you have a dog or cat that is an... Read More
Sure, you may be a master of human First Aid.... Read More
You've picked out the perfect puppy. You spent hours on... Read More
For the first 8,000 years of their relationship with humans,... Read More
Chocolate. Who can resist it?Your dogs health depends on it!... Read More
Since having a dog is such a common thing, do... Read More
limo O'Hare Bonfield ..Rabbits are one of the most popular pets, apart from... Read More
In horse training or natural horsemanship, Approach is nothing more... Read More
1. Using tranquilizers.This is illegal in many states but other... Read More
Losing a family pet can be a traumatic experience, especially... Read More
In compiling some information on achieving a proper fit to... Read More
I'd like to talk to you about pet vaccinations. I... Read More
There may be no warning before dog worms strike.It was... Read More
Incredible advances in veterinary medicine are making it possible for... Read More
Cockatiels are one of the most lovable pets in the... Read More
To teach a dog to jump, with your right hand... Read More
The greatest fear of most pet owners is that there... Read More
As much as you love the sound of your new... Read More
Got a mischevious mutt on your hands? Then you may... Read More
"Doggy breath" ? that unpleasant odor emanating from the mouths... Read More
Aren't they cute? Yes, they are! A nest of meowing... Read More
Lemon TetraGlassily transparent, the lemon tetra (hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis) could appear... Read More
Can you comprehend a time when dog food, cat food,... Read More
Occasionally, some of us get to do work that is... Read More
Dog Training CollarsHaving a pet means having to provide for... Read More
Wondering how to begin crate training your puppy or dog,... Read More
Parrots are becoming more popular as pets with each passing... Read More
You may be hearing more talk these days about "Essential... Read More
Even if you have the perfect first aid kit for... Read More
Grooming means taking care of the physical maintenance of the... Read More
"On Trust" & "Paid For" for are one of the... Read More
Pet |