Premature labour

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Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone,

I’m new to the forum and I’m looking for some advice or to hear from anyone who’s been through something similar to me.

First off, I’ve done a lot of reading on various forums and I’m really not looking for any judgement, just some help or reassurance if anyone has experienced this.

I bred my female Ragdoll with another Ragdoll and she was due between the 17th and 20th.

We had an X-ray on the 11th to find out exactly how many kittens to expect; there should be 4 or 5.

Then the nightmare started...

At 12:30 am, Mystik started meowing and wouldn't leave me alone until I followed her into the bathroom. I realised she was about to go into labour, so we got her kittening box ready.

At 1:15 am, she pushed a kitten out just like she was going to the toilet... it was stillborn, but she still looked after it, cleaned it, and ate the placenta. It weighed about 0.15 lbs.

At 1:45 am, she properly delivered the second kitten. It’s very small but lively. It’s trying to suckle and is quite wiggly. It weighs 0.12 lbs.

I should mention that I’ve called two different vets about the prematurity, and they both told me there isn't much to be done and that I just have to let nature take its course.

I haven't slept since; I'm staying right by them because my girl needs some help and encouragement to look after her kitten.

What I’m worried about, and my main question, is that it’s been nearly 18 hours since the second kitten was born and nothing else has happened... no contractions, no visible pain, and she seems to be acting normally.

I don't know why, but she growls when she goes to eat her dry food...

I called both vets again.

One told me that kittening usually lasts 12 hours at most and that I could bring her in tomorrow for hospitalisation.

The other said if nothing happens by tomorrow morning, I should bring her in for a scan to see if the babies are still alive and then decide what to do... but neither of them seemed particularly alarmed, and I just don't understand why?

My theory is that Mystik wanted to get rid of the stillborn kitten to protect herself, but another one came out with it... and she’ll carry the rest of the litter to full term? Is that even possible?

Many thanks

Translated from French
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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    I completely agree with Howtocat. If you aren't clued up or experienced enough to handle the unexpected complications of pregnancy and labour, you shouldn't be breeding your cat.

    You chose to play games with your cat's life and now your own incompetence is blowing up in your face. More fool you.

    If you don't know what you're doing, you should stay well away and stop playing with lives.

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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    I’m completely at a loss; I feel like they’re all incompetent or they just think there’s no hope for my litter so they’re letting ‘nature take its course’, pfft.

    The only incompetent person here is you. Pedigree cats are nothing more than products to be sold, bred despite physiological issues and inbreeding just to produce more 'luxury lap cats' for profit, at the expense of their health, welfare, and life expectancy.

    It's 2017, and as long as animals are being put down because people keep breeding theirs, no breeding is responsible or justifiable.

    Hopefully, this awful experience—which could cost your 'cash cow' her life—will encourage you to get her spayed.

    Get to the vet first thing tomorrow morning for another scan to see if the other kittens are still alive.

    I am here to share and seek advice from someone who might actually be able to help, not to be subjected to unfounded judgements from one of the many trolls on this forum.

    So, my post still stands; if anyone would like to share their own experience, I would be very grateful to hear from you.

    Please avoid these kinds of off-topic comments.

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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Yeah, I’m going first thing tomorrow morning.

    I won’t be getting any sleep again tonight anyway, as I need to keep an eye on the baby and Mystik.

    Actually, he did a poo around 2pm, so I reckon that’s a good sign.

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    Tania28
    Tania28 Icon representing the flag French
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    Well, all you can do now is wait and keep your fingers crossed. Do keep us posted!
    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    I’ve just called another one who couldn’t give a toss. Just so you know, where I live there’s a vet clinic 15 minutes away (the one who told me to wait until tomorrow to bring her in). Another one 30 minutes away (the one who didn't give a damn; he told me they prioritise their own registered clients and he’s already got his hands full tonight, so he won’t be able to look at her before tomorrow). And another one 45 minutes away (the one who told me to come in tomorrow for a scan and that the longer the babies stayed inside, the better...). That’s the total opposite of everything I’ve read, but there you go. I’m completely lost, I feel like they’re all incompetent or it’s a case of my litter being a lost cause so they’re just "letting nature take its course", ugh. PS: Putting my hand on my cat's tummy, I can feel movement... kittens or just rumblings, it's hard to tell for sure.
    Translated from French
    Tania28
    Tania28 Icon representing the flag French
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    Personally, I don't think she can just deliver whenever she wants to get rid of the dead kitten and hold the others back. I wouldn't wait until tomorrow; I’d be heading to an emergency vet now, as I’d be far too worried about things going wrong.
    Translated from French

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