Ragdoll Cat

　　Cats generally give birth to 2 to 6 kittens per litter. The duration of delivery can last a day or longer, with an interval of about 30 to 60 minutes between two kittens. If the cat exceeds normal delivery time and cannot deliver kittens smoothly, it is considered dystocia. Due to the small size of cats, rescue during dystocia has its special features.

　　1. Signs of Dystocia in Cats

　　The gestation period of cats is 52 to 69 days, typically around 60 days. Dystocia mostly occurs in first-time mothers, with varying signs. Some female cats may refuse or eat very little, urinate frequently but in small amounts, show restlessness or strain, constantly look back at their abdomen, prefer to lie down, and have foul-smelling dirty red discharge from the vulva, contaminating the tail and hind limbs; some female cats constantly lick their vulva with their tongue, kick their abdomen with hind legs, or frequently roll on the ground; some show obvious abdominal contractions but no kittens are born.

　　2. Clinical Examination

　　Temperature, respiration, and pulse are normal. Fetuses can be felt on both sides of the cat's abdominal wall. By inserting a disinfected finger into the vagina, one may feel looseness, swelling, or dryness. Through the dilated cervix, the fetus’s mouth, nose, forelimbs, hips, or hind limbs can be touched. Sometimes two fetuses may already be crowded into the vagina.

　　3. Rescue Method Choices

　1. Abdominal Massage

　　For overweight cats, lack of exercise, or excessive number of fetuses causing uterine relaxation and weak contractions leading to dystocia, use the palm to press the abdominal wall according to the frequency of the cat’s abdominal contractions, from light to heavy pressure, to help strengthen contractions and deliver the fetuses.

　2. Drug-Assisted Delivery

　　If abdominal massage for more than 30 minutes doesn’t facilitate weak contractions for dystocia cats, subcutaneous injection of posterior pituitary hormone 5-10 IU and diethylstilbestrol 0.5-1 mg can be given to promote uterine smooth muscle contraction and cervical dilation, enabling smooth delivery of fetuses.

　3. Traction of the Fetus

　　If the fetus has been exposed for more than 5 minutes without delivery, lay the cat on its side, hold the cat’s shoulder with the left hand, gently push the protruding part of the fetus back into the pelvic cavity with the right hand, then rotate the fetus gently and pull it out.

　4. Rescue of Dystocia with Dead Fetus

　　If the fetus's eyeballs do not move when touched in the birth canal, there is no suckling reflex when the finger is inserted into the mouth, or no contractions when inserted into the anus, and foul-smelling bloody discharge is present in the vagina, lay the cat on its side (usually it will lie naturally). Insert a catheter about the thickness of the little finger through the vulva into the cervix. Connect the external end of the catheter to a funnel or a 100 ml syringe and inject 2%-5% saline solution (with 0.2-0.5 g of chlorhexidine) until the solution flows out of the vulva (usually around 500-800 ml). The dead fetus can be expelled within 5 hours. The hypertonic saline creates a hypertonic environment in the uterus preventing absorption of uterine contents; chlorhexidine disinfects and prevents endometritis. The large amount of solution lubricates and promotes uterine contractions.

　5. Cesarean Section Assistance

　　In cases of uterine torsion, cervical atresia, or when the cat’s pelvic cavity is narrow, deformed, or the uterus is ruptured, delivery cannot happen without surgery. Cesarean section can be performed. However, cats with critical illnesses unable to deliver fetuses should avoid surgery if possible, and non-surgical methods should be prioritized.

　　Lay the cat on its back, fix the head and limbs. Use the last second nipple as the midpoint, and cut along the midline of the abdomen forward and backward. Usually, infiltrate 15-20 ml of 0.5% novocaine at the incision for local anesthesia. Procedure: incise the skin, subcutaneous tissue, abdominal muscles, and peritoneum; pull out one uterine horn, make a 4-6 cm incision at the greater curvature, remove the fetuses with their placentas; then pull out the other uterine horn and remove fetuses and placentas in the same way. Suture the uterus, peritoneum, and abdominal wall layers respectively.