Please help us!

[jomama55358]

Hello.
7 days ago, we trapped what we knew was a pregnant stray cat in our garage. We trapped her so the kittens don't get run over & so we could get the mama fixed.
Last nite she went into labor in her cage in our spare bedroom.
As of now, it's been 14 hours since we noticed the first contractions.
Since then she has given birth to one stillborn kitten.
The contractions seem to have stopped- but we are giving her lots of privacy, so she may be having them when we're not in there.
She is either laying on top of the dead kitten or has eaten it.
We sooooo want to help her! how do we do that? We cannot touch her-should we just keep giving her privacy? For how long? Can there still be living kittens inside her? How often should we check on her? I'm terrified that because she doesn't trust us, we may do more harm than good bydoing anything more than leaving her alone.
please help us!
thanks

[momcat]

Maybe you should check with a vet or someone at your local shelter. That may be your best source of information and help under the circumstances. Thank you for helping poor mommy. My prayers for mommy, babies, and you!

[jomama55358]

Thanks for your reply.
We talked to several vets, including the U of Mn.
It sounds like keeping her in a quiet place & making sure she's not in distress is the best thing for now.
She seems pretty calm at the moment.
Thanks for your best wishes.

[RedHedd]

I'd call or take her to a vet ASAP. Good luck and let us know what happens. God bless you for taking her in!

[kittycats_delight]

14 is soooo long for a little kitty to be in labour. I think you really need to get her to a vet immediately. If she still has kittens inside they may already be "gone" or very very close by now. If you want a chance at saving this cat and any of the remaining kittens, if there are any. Get her to a vet right away.

[QueenScoopalot]

Is she a feral cat? Or abandoned, and nervous being in? I agree that being in labor for so long may kill the remaining unborn kittens. She could have a breach kitten stuck in the birth canal, and she's unable to push it out. A shot of pitocin at the vets will stimulate contractions again. It could be she's very worn out already, and may need medical intervention. If she's aggressive to people, a large cotton laundry bag with a cinch cord works terrific for containing, and calming a cat. Just be sure to put it in a carrier for extra safety. The bonus is, the vet can examine her in the bag without having to drag her out. Hope things work out OK with the mom to be...keep us posted please!

[jomama55358]

thank you all for the replys.
the vets all said that with her being a stray, if we brought her in, they'd have to put her out to be able to examine her, & that would harm any kittens in her. they said that even though only one kitten is rare, she may be done.
We did this exact same thing last fall with a different stray mama & that labor & birthing went perfectly-four beautiful kittens- one of which we kept, plus we kept that mama & she is the mushiest lovebug kat you've ever seen. We believe that the mama we have now is the sister to the one in our "cattery".
Your prayers are appreciated.
thank you.

[momcat]

How's mommy doing? She has been on my mind all day.

[kittycats_delight]

How is she doing? I have been very worried too. I hope she is all finished and there are not non-living babies inside still. If she doesn't have anymore make sure to take her to the vet soon as if there are non-living babies still inside and they are left there it could most definately poisen and kill mamma too if they start to decay. Sorry, I am just very worried for mamma and any if there are any unborn babies.

[jomama55358]

Hi. Thanks for thinking of our mamakat.
She is "comfortable" apparently.
My wife & I talked it over & after talking with 3 different vets, sadly, i gotta say that we cannot do what seems to be the best thing to do, which is to take her to an emergency vet & get her put under for an exam. We just can't afford it.
In our defense, though, I gotta say that she seems totally at ease & not in any distress.
She is laying totally catlike on her tummy with her front paws tucked. She hisses when we go in. She ate a bowl of fancy feast fish & shrimp this a.m. & has urinated.
It's been 20 hours since I 1st noticed contractions. 3 hours after that is when my wife noticed the stillborn.

[kittycats_delight]

I know this will be a little difficult to do think there is anyway to get a feel of her belly? If that is possible you should be able to feel if there are still kittens inside. But you must be very gentle as her tummy maybe sore. Also is there any shelters near by you that has a vet on duty? If so maybe they could do the exam for you and it won't cost anything or it will cost very little. Just some suggestions that may help.

[jomama55358]

I just called one of the shelters in our county & they will call back when a particular person arrives who might be able to help.
The last time I checked on mama (45 mins ago), she didn't look quite as comfortable as before. She was kinda hunched down.
I HATE to keep going in there because I keep hearing to give her privacy. when i do go in there, she hisses once or twice & then it's like she pretends that she's sleeping- done that since day one.

[kittycats_delight]

Keep us updated and let us know. Also you kinda need to keep checking on her just in case something goes wrong. You are doing good.

[jomama55358]

Okay, thanks.
I'll definitely keep you all posted.

[jomama55358]

I just checked on mama. There is a brownish clear liquid by her rear end.
I sat w/her for several minutes & didn't see contractions, but something is happening.
If anyone wants to call my cellphone (i'm deadly slow at typing) my # 320-492-7305