Cat had kittens last night. No breathing,cries, movement since. Cat still licking them. Are they even alive?

Question

From the moment they were born, they looked like they werent breathing. In the process of labor she kicked one because I didnt move it out of the way, since I didnt know If i was even allowed to touch it. A few minutes later, after she was almost sitting on it, I moved that kitten to a separate box and waited for them all to be born. After she was done, I carefully put them back with her. They still weren't moving. She ignored the first 2 (that happened to look limp and dead) the third one was larger and more developed (also looked dead)and she paid more attention to it, but it still hasn't cried. None of them have cried or even moved since. How do I know if they're even alive? They look so limp and I can't see their chests rising from breathing. I don't want to assume they're dead and bury them, because they might still be alive. They were born at around 9 last night. Its about 8:30 am and I don't know what to do. Someone please help me, this has been a horrible experience.

Answer 1

Probably not alive.

Answer 2

Take a small mirror and put in in front of the kittens mouth and nose. If they are breathing, it should fog up a little. Also, try taking a bath or kitchen towel, lightly wrap the kitten in it, leaving it's face uncovered, and briskly, but gently, rub the it as if you are trying to shake someones shoulder to wake them up. If this type of stimulation doesn't work, then I would say that the litter was probably not ment to be. I am sorry, I know how horrible this is for you. I have grown up around animals my entire life, being raised on a farm and participating in 4-H. It is a part of life and even though it sucks, it happens from time to time. If the Cat wasn't ready for kittens, or even if she already knew something is wrong, that could be the reason for her ignoring the kittens. If she should become pergnant again, grab a few books from the library and read up on what to do. Good luck and keep us posted.

Answer 3

The kittens are not alive. If they are limp and not moving is a good sign. If the mother cat is young and this is her first litter, she may not realize that they are dead because they have been left with her to care for. For some reason, they were not born healthy and either died at birth or shortly after. I would take her and the kittens to the vet. He will be able to tell you what went wrong and help you to get rid of the dead kittens. Good luck

Answer 4

Go up as close as you can if your cat would let you, and observe for a couple of minutes for chest rise and feeding. Kittens usually begin suckling a few minutes after they're born. Also see if your cat seem to be in distress or ignoring them altogether.

If they're not suckling or their chests are not rising and falling, and your cat is showing signs of distress (ignoring or excessively licking her kittens), there's a high chance they're not alive. I'm sorry, but you need to do what's best for your cat, and have the kittens removed and buried properly if they're no longer living.
And try and get your cat spayed, as she can get pregnant again in a matter of weeks.

Answer 5

I am sorry to tell you but they are dead. Our cat just had two kittens. The first one didn't move at all and it never started breathing at birth. The second one, I opened the sac it was borned in so that it could breathe right away and it starting meowing and moving and has moved ever since. If your kittens are alive. they would at least be moving thier legs and nursing.

Answer 6

a million. No 10 kittens isn't too many. i have seen more advantageous litters. see you later as she has the potential to feed them, she'll be nice. (see #5) 2. If she's letting you contact the kittens i do not see why you won't be able to bypass them to a more advantageous, cleanser container. If she doesn't like it, she will have the ability to bypass them elsewhere herself. you may want to intend to make positive she is restrained to easily one room although in simple terms so she settles in the position you want her to. otherwise she would bypass them to an section that isn't really straight forward that you'll observe them. 3. i doesn't carry them excessively for the first few days, yet in simple terms what you've finished is nice. 4. i'd watch her the first week or so and make positive each and each and every of the kittens are starting to be a turn. If it style of sounds like one or 2 are continually the complication-free kitten out and do not seem getting their justifiable percentage, you may want to need to start up bottle feeding them slightly, in simple terms so all will sense complete and get a turn. fantastically in case you spot any of them falling in the back of in enhance or potential degrees. 5. also, make positive mom has a strong impressive kitten nutrition to eat. Kitten nutrition has the extra food and energy that nursing queens favor. also enable her get admission to to an excellent style of water and dry nutrition. Nursing is an hard interest for a mom! also observe her bowels would grow to be slightly lose in the start with the aid of regulate in nutrition and from giving start. change to the recent nutrition gradually in case you could, yet any free bowels might want to sparkling up in some days as her equipment receives used to the recent nutrition. relish them! once you call the recent vendors of the 5 kittens, remind them that 2 kittens will save one yet another employer and get right into a lot less complication! you're able to get some takers for 2 truly of one million kitten that way. besides, even as they see the kittens they might re-evaluate about taking purely one!

Answer 7

I hope this helps:

After your queen delivers her first kitten, ideally she will deliver the remaining kittens within minutes of each other, but it may take as long as an hour between kittens. It is very important to watch her carefully at this point to monitor for any signs of difficulty, delay in delivery, or complications. Kittens are born head first, but occasionally a breech delivery (feet or tail end first) can occur, and although this is considered normal, do watch carefully and make sure that a breech is delivered successfully. Once the first kitten is born, the kitten will be enclosed in a birthing "sac" and placenta. Normally, the queen's contractions will discharge the kitten and this process should take no longer than ten minutes once the kitten or sac is visible from the birth canal. The queen will instinctively lick the the newborn's face (to remove the sac) and to stimulate breathing and she may "toss" or "roll" the kitten about to stimulate circulation and breathing. Her tongue is also used to clean and dry the kitten. If the kitten's sac is not promptly removed directly after birth, and you note that the queen is not attending her newborn, it is imperative that you step in and remove the sac and encourage breathing and circulation. If this is not performed the kitten will suffocate. Gently using your fingers, tear at the sac above kitten's nose and mouth to allow air and gently rub the kitten along her backside to stimulate circulation. This must be performed continuously until the kitten is responsive and starts to move or cry out.

If the kitten is unresponsive: If after removal of the sac and stimulation the kitten is still not breathing, you can cradle the kitten in your hand, using your first two fingers to gently cradle the head and your other hand to securely but gently cradle her body (she should be laying upside down with her belly-side up). Next, perform a downward swing motion (as if you are shoveling), this allows for fluid to clear the lungs and kitten should gasp for air as you perform this motion, it may be necessary to perform this procedure a few times until you hear the kitten gasp or show signs of movement. Make sure that her nose and mouth are clear of mucous or fluid by gently wiping it away with a cotton ball or soft gauze pad. Remember, these methods must be performed GENTLY, but with enough gentle force to stimulate breathing and circulation. Once kitten is responsive, immediately place her next to her mother for warmth and the queen will take over.

For The Kittens

PLEASE contact your vet immediately if you notice any of these indicators of an emergency situation, do not delay!


Lodged or stuck in the birth canal during delivery

Unsuccessful attempts at manual retrieval of a lodged kitten from the birth canal

Unresponsive, not breathing after retrieval from the birth canal or within minutes after delivery

Kitten's tongue or gums in mouth are blue, red, or pale

Unresponsive to breathing and stimulation techniques

Cannot find her way to the queen's nipples or does not appear to be nursing properly and sufficiently

Is cold to the touch

Is lethargic, not moving about, breathing slowly or shallowly, or gasping for breath any time after completion of delivery

Is overcrowded with her siblings in the birthing/nesting box and not recieving enough warmth or enough milk from her mother

Any visible and clear signs of distress

Answer 8

It is not unusual for kittens to die. Giving birth is very hard on the mother to. They are probably dead, but take them to a vet to be safe, oh, and while you are there-GET THE CAT SPAYED.you will be doing her a favor. Read up on it

Answer 9

if they arent squirming around and feeding now then I am sorry they are dead,please remove them as this will distress her even more the longer they are left,and get her spayed now as she could go and get pregnant again in a couple of days.My cat lost her 5 kittens a few years ago and it was heartbreaking.

Answer 10

If they are not breathing they are dead. They should be wiggling around and feeding. This would be an excellent time to get the mom spayed.
Research pet overpopulation and benefits to spaying.

Answer 11

I am so sorry - I can only imagine how horrible this is for you. All I can suggest is call your vet - or look in the yellow pages to find an emergency vet as soon as possible!!!