Author Question: What health care practices should be observed with the new litter?[br][br][b][color=#9E3EA8]Question ... (Read 59 times)

jake · **on:** Jul 18, 2018

What health care practices should be observed with the new litter?

Question 2

List the general health care practices for a pregnant cat before, during, and at birth.

jaygar71 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 18, 2018

Answer to Question 1

The first milk produced by the mother contains colostrum. Kittens receive temporary immunity from many
diseases from the antibody-rich colostrum in their mother's first milk.

Answer to Question 2

About two weeks before the kittens are due, the female becomes restless and searches for a quiet place to give
birth. If one offers her a well-prepared box, she will usually take to it.
Normally, very little assistance is needed for the mother during delivery. Occasionally, a female does not
attempt to remove the sac from the newborn kitten. She may not know what to do or may be too busy with
the next kitten. In this case, one must remove the membrane. If the female still does not show interest, one
should carefully sever the umbilical cord, rub the kitten dry, and stimulate it to breathe. Then, the kitten
should be placed close to the mother's nipples. Hopefully, the kitten will begin to nurse and arouse maternal
instincts in the female.