A retrospective study on dystocia in the cat, evaluation of 111 cases

Table 2 Signs of dystocia

Sign of dystocia^#	Number of cases
Prolonged contractions or expulsion of foetal fluids > 4 h^‡	53
Abnormal vaginal discharge^†	30
Queen described as tired or distressed	22
Partial expulsion	13
Foetus palpable in birth canal	6
Day 72 without birth, foetal HR decreased since previous day	1
None of the above, miscellaneous
Foetal stress on ultrasound	3
Malpresentation suspected on x-ray	3
Last kitten born 24 h ago, normal foetal HR*	2
Last kitten born 15–20 h ago, FD	2
Last kittens born 3 days ago	1
No signs of parturition day 70, FD	1
One stillborn kitten at home 2 days ago, FD	1
Two stillborn kittens at home, 5 h ago, FD	1

^#Queens could have more than one of these clinical sign, ^‡ strong contractions > 30 min or weak > 4 h, ^†purulent, discoloured, foul or haemorrhagic discharge, *one of these had given birth to a stillborn kitten and had a suspected mummified foetus on x-ray. FD = foetal death diagnosed on ultrasound

ISSN: 1751-0147