Dystocia or difficulty with giving birth

Dystocia is defined as a difficulty during labour. There are 2 causes. Either it is due to the mother:

• She may be exhausted and the contractions will be too weak
• The cervix has not dilated sufficiently
• She may have a narrow birth canal due to an old fracture for example or some other abnormality
• She may be too old or obese
• The uterus may have twisted or ruptured
• It could be an ectopic pregnancy
• Ineffective abdominal pressure due to exhaustion, diaphragmatic hernia, other pain etc

The 2nd cause is due to the kitten or foetus:

• The foetus may be too large as seen with litters of one or 2 kittens
• The foetus' head may be too large ie in certain breeds such as Persians
• The kitten may have died
• Their may be abnormalities giving it a different shape
• The foetus may be in the wrong position

When to call a vet

Dystocia can be suspected when any one of these occur:

1. 20 minutes of intense labour without birth
2. 10 minutes of intense labour without feeling a kitten in the birth canal
3. Sudden depression which can be associated with a ruptured uterus
4. Fever
5. Fresh vaginal bleeding that is more than 10 minutes long

Remember that the queen can voluntarily control giving birth compared to other animals, so reduce any environmental stress if you have a nervous queen as it may delay the onset or prolong the birth process.

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