Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat labor problems and newborn outcomes in 35 cases from 2009-2020
By Bailin, H Grady et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2022·Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Retrospective evaluation of feline dystocia: clinicopathologic findings and neonatal outcomes in 35 cases (2009-2020).
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A cat experiencing difficulty giving birth, known as dystocia, was treated at an emergency clinic. Out of 35 cases, most were due to maternal issues, and some required surgery after medical treatments failed. While 94% of the mothers survived, about 34% of the kittens did not make it, with a total of 136 kittens born. The study found that low blood sugar and calcium levels were not factors in these cases. Most queens were able to deliver their kittens successfully with either medical or surgical help.
People also search for: cat difficulty giving birth · feline dystocia treatment · kitten survival rates · emergency care for pregnant cats · signs of cat labor problems
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of cases of feline dystocia presenting to a university emergency service. METHODS: The medical records of queens presenting for dystocia between January 2009 and September 2020 were reviewed. Data collected included queen signalment, presenting complaints, treatments, and maternal and neonatal outcomes. Clinicopathologic data included serum ionized calcium concentration, blood glucose level, packed cell volume and total solids. Owing to the small sample size, descriptive statistics were used and data presented as median (range). RESULTS: Thirty-five cases were reviewed. Dystocia was attributed to maternal factors in 69% (n = 24) and fetal factors in 31% (n = 11). Venous blood gas data from 19 queens in stage 2 labor revealed that no queens were hypocalcemic (median ionized calcium 5.4 mg/dl [range 4.9-5.8]) or hypoglycemic (median glucose 143 mg/dl [range 78-183]). Medical management was attempted in 21/35 queens. Successful medical management was achieved in 29% (n = 6/21). Thirteen queens underwent surgical management, six of these after failing medical management. Seven queens received no treatment. Fifteen queens were discharged and one queen was euthanized while still in labor. The remaining 19 queens delivered all fetuses with medical (n = 6) or surgical management (n = 13). Maternal survival was 94% (n = 33/35). A total of 136 kittens were born to all queens, with 58% (n = 79/136) born prior to initiation of treatment, 16% (n = 22/136) after medical management and 26% (n = 35/136) after surgical management. Overall neonatal survival to discharge was 66% (n = 90/136). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Feline dystocia is an emergent condition that can result in up to 34% neonatal mortality for kittens delivered via both medical and surgical means. Hypoglycemia and hypocalcemia were not precipitating causes of feline dystocia in this population.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34124965/