Newborn Kittens

[bniles]

Hi Everyone,

I wrote in awhile back about a stray cat I had adopted from a co-worker. She turned out to be pregnant and had her babies last night! Everyone looks healthy and mother and babies are doing great.

I do have one concern about one of the kittens though. I noticed when it was born it appeared to be missing part of it's tail. While it was nursing last night I was able to reach in and feel the end of his tail, and it's really hard, it looks like its bone is sticking out of the end of his tail. There's no blood, it's not infected and the kitten seems fine and doesn't react to me touching it. Seems as if it doesn't hurt.

My original plan was to wait until the kittens were ready for their first fecal exam (around 3 weeks) to take them for their first visit. But now I'm not sure if I shouldn't take this kitten in sooner.

Has anyone ever seen anything like this before?

~Brandi

[kate & kobi]

Congratulations on your new additions, it is so wonderful that they have you to provide them with a safe space, instead of being on the street!

It sounds like you're on top of things but have you called your vet to ask if they would like to see the kitten sooner? That's what I'd do anyway, since baby kittens are pretty much unknown territory for me too.

Please keep us posted! (I hope you can post some pictures; I love kitten photos!)

[MA]

The general rule of thumb is 24 hours after any litter has arrived the whole family gets bundled off the the vet. This way a professional can check mom to see if she has passed everything she needs to and hasn't retained a kitten. I would take the family in for a health check- most vets are considerate and don't charge per kitten (like they used to) unless different tests need to be performed.

[bniles]

Good to know, thanks! This is my first litter!

I'll give my vet a call.

I do have pictures that were taken last night during and right after delivery.

They're at: http://www.nilesweb.com/albums/kittens/photoalbum.shtml

[Traci]

Brandi, if you are saying you can actually see the tail bone protruding from the rest of the tail, its time to get this little one to your vet immediately. Don't know if you were able to monitor mom and babies during birth, but mom or even the littermates could have chewed on this baby's tail....best to play it safe and get him in ASAP (take mom and babies together, this way, all get a quick exam and babies are kept warm with mom)

[bniles]

Hi Traci,

I was able to monitor the birth. My husband I are were there with her the entire time. The kitten actually came out like that.

I'll let you guys know what I find out from the vet.

~B

[Cleo]

OH MY GOSH!! They are adorable! How many are there? Are they all black? Congrats and good luck!!

Cleo

[bniles]

Hi Everyone,

Our vet wasn't able to get us in until first thing this morning but we went in and just got back.

The vet amputated the entire tail, it was shorter than normal anyway. She said our best option would be to just let her take it off like they do to day old puppies *cringe*. That's what we went with, it was really hard to watch but I'm glad it's taken care of.

Everyone is settled back in and happily nursing now!

And Cleo, to answer your question. 4 of them are black, one of which, looks like it's going to have some brown splotches. The fifth is a grey tabby.

Thanks everyone,
~Brandi