What is a cesarean section?
A cesarean section (C-section) is a major surgery to remove kittens from the uterus. This surgery is usually performed as an emergency procedure when there is difficulty with natural birth.
What should I expect while my cat recovers from a C-section?
Most cats recover quickly from a C-section; however, if your cat was in labor for several hours before surgery, her recovery will be slower, and she will need extra attention and help with her kittens.
Recovery from Anesthesia
The mother will be given an anesthetic that is quickly eliminated from her body. Most cats recover enough to go home by the time they are discharged, but complete recovery from anesthesia may take 2 to 12 hours, depending on the anesthetic used, the mother's age and physical condition, and how long she was in labor before the surgery.
During the immediate recovery period, monitor the mother closely so she does not fall and hurt herself or roll over and crush the newborn kittens. Do not leave the kittens alone with her until she is completely awake, able to stand on her own, and is interested in caring for them.
Feeding and Nutrition
The mother should begin eating within a few hours after surgery. Offer small amounts of food and water frequently (every 15 to 30 minutes) for the first 24 hours. If she eats or drinks too much or too quickly, she may vomit.
During early nursing, her food intake should be about 1.5 times her pre-pregnancy food intake. By the third or fourth week of nursing, she may require 2 to 2.5 times her normal food intake. Feed a premium-brand, high quality kitten food while she is nursing to provide proper nutrition for both the mother and her litter. While your cat is nursing, she can continue to eat a food formulated for gestation and lactation, or an all-life-stages diet.
Temperature and Medications
The mother's temperature may rise 1ºF to 2°F (0.5 to 1°C) above normal in the first one to three days after delivery, but it should then return to normal. The normal range is 100.5°F to 102.5°F (38.1°C to 39.2°C). If her temperature rises above 104°F (40°C), contact your veterinarian as soon as possible so both the mother and litter can be examined.
Do not give your cat acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA; Aspirin®). Your veterinarian will provide pain medication that is appropriate for nursing mothers.
Is it normal for the mother to have bloody vaginal discharge?
A bloody vaginal discharge is normal for up to seven days after birth. It may be heavy for the first one to three days and then diminish over the next few days. If it continues for longer than one week, changes color, or develops an odor, the mother should be checked for infection or other complications. If she had an ovariohysterectomy (was spayed) at the time of the C-section, she should have little or no vaginal discharge.
How do I care for the surgery site?
Inspect the incision daily for signs of complications, such as stitches coming open too early or signs of infection like redness, swelling, and discharge. Nursing kittens may irritate the surgery site. A head collar (Elizabethan collar) is not usually recommended because it can pose a risk to the kittens and prevent the mother from cleaning them. If you have any concerns about the surgical site, contact your veterinarian immediately.
The stitches may or may not need to be removed, depending on the type of suture material used. Many veterinarians use internal, absorbable sutures that are not visible and do not require removal. Generally, visible stitches and skin staples must be removed 10 to 14 days after surgery.
How should I care for the kittens?
The kittens should be ready to nurse as soon as you arrive home. The mother may not be awake enough to nurse alone, but you can help by making the mother lie still so the kittens can nurse. Gently place the kittens near the mother's teats. If a kitten seems reluctant to nurse, gently massage the teat to express some milk, which may encourage the kitten to nurse.
Kittens should sleep or nurse 90% of the time. If they are crying or whimpering, something is usually wrong. The most common causes of restless or unhealthy kittens include uterine infections, inadequate milk production, and poor-quality or infected milk. The litter can die within 24 hours if one of these complications develops. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you have any concerns about the mother or kittens’ health.
If the mother does not have enough milk at first, you may supplement the kittens with milk replacer for the first day or two. Your veterinarian can supply you with a commercial kitten milk replacer and nursing bottles that are an appropriate size for the kittens' tiny mouths. Many pet stores also carry these supplies. In an emergency, you can use the following formula until you can purchase a product designed for kittens:
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon corn/canola oil
- 1 pinch of salt
- 3 egg yolks (no whites, and best if the eggs are pasteurized).
Blend the mixture until it is a uniform consistency. Feed 1 oz (30 mL) of formula for every ¼ lb (1/8 kg) of kitten weight every 24 hours. Divide that amount into three to five feedings. The average newborn kitten weighs 1/4 lb (1/8 kg) at birth.
It is best for kittens to begin nursing immediately, but a healthy newborn can survive without complications for up to 12 hours without nursing. However, if the newborn is weak, dehydrated, or cold, it must be fed as soon as possible. If kittens cannot nurse within the first 24 hours, they lose the immune protection provided by the first milk (colostrum), leaving them more susceptible to infectious diseases.
How warm should the kittens’ room be?
A newborn kitten cannot regulate its body temperature very well. If the kittens stay near their mother, the room temperature is not critical. However, if they are not with their mother, the room temperature should be 85ºF to 90ºF (29.5ºC to 32ºC). To avoid any chance of hypothermia or hyperthermia (chilling or overheating), keep the newborns inside the house if possible.
