Pet Pointers: Feline birth issues
Having our cats spayed not only helps prevent unwanted kittens, but eliminates many other health problems, including complications due to pregnancy and birth. Lisa Chelenza has more in this edition of Pet Pointers.
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An un-spayed cat runs the risk of developing a long list of serious health problems, including reproductive cancers and complications from pregnancy and birth. A difficult delivery can be deadly to both mother and kittens.
“Complications that can arise and that we most commonly see is called uterine inertia, the uterus cannot expel the kitten or that there is actually a kitten stuck in the birth canal and it is obstructing the birth of the other cats. If that is the case it can get severe enough where you have a rupture of the uterus inside the abdomen and an emergency c-section is needed,” said Dr. Maureen Luschini, a veterinarian.
While rare, some vets say they have seen an increase in complications in various pure bred cats. If a cat has a history of difficult pregnancy, some prepared pets parents have vets standing by in case an emergency surgery is needed, which in some cases, can be the only way to save the queen and her kittens.
Having your female cat spayed is the best way to help them lead a long, happy healthy life and prevent these issues entirely as well as helping to reduce pet over-population.
Remember, cats can be spayed as young as 16 weeks and at any time during adulthood as long as they are healthy.