Jazz's First Litter

by Lorraine
(UK)

My beautiful silver tabby Jazz who is 15 months old fell pregnant. We suspected that it was our bengal cross as we had caught them in the act in the kitchen.

Having never experienced a litter of kittens before, I researched on the internet and came across this excellent site. I read up on all the advice and followed everything to the book.

I have 2 german shephards who were most cross about having to stay in the kitchen at night. The suspected father Tom and my other cat called Dave were not that chuffed either that they were no longer allowed to sleep in the bedrooms.

We built Jazz a hidey hole under the stairs, with a nice bed and towels for drapes so that she had some privacy. All was ready. Last Sunday, woken by my 4-year-old little girl who demanded juice at 2 in the morning, I went downstairs and heard very loud purring. Checking upon her it was evident that she was having contractions and was in labour.

I sat down next to her along with my daughter and waited, talking to Jazz all the time. If I stopped she miaowed at me. First kitten appeared at 2.15, I only noticed when Jazz stood up that the kitten had been born. It appeared slighty stuck, so I gently eased the rest of the kitten out. Jazz appeared completly stunned by it all, I encouraged her to clean the kitten, then her instincts took over.

By 5.00 a further 3 kittens were born, all perfectly healthy. Both me and my daughter were speechless and in awe of the events. I checked all the placentas had been delivered, checked all were cleaned by mum and feeding well. Next 48 hours we respected Jazz and gave her complete privacy, had a bit of an incident when gas man came to read meter, but otherwise all was going OK.

Wednesday evening I sat next to the box talking to Jazz and approached to pick one up. Jazz seemed fine with this, I took in every claw and whisker and Jazz played the proud mum. On checking the kitten born 2nd I noticed that one backfoot was very swollen and appeared malformed (if that's the right word). It was hard to see what was wrong as they don't stay very still. However I saw what appeared like thin cotton round its back leg. I realised that it was the umbilical cord. I snipped it off and under advice eased the swelling with a frozen flannel, then a warm one.

Thursday morning, checking the kitten again, I was pleased to see that the swelling had gone down. I phoned my vet to make an appointment for it to be checked over, took my kids to school, ran a few errands and was home by 10.00. I noticed sraight away by Jazz's behaviour that something was wrong.

She seemed frantic and miaowed constantly, which is very unlike her as she is normally a very quiet cat. Checking in the bed the kittens all appeared to be sleeping, however upon stroking them I realised that the only female of the litter seemed to be very still.

The events that followed seem a blur, but I cried for 2 hours after that. No reason for it the vet said, might have been ill, was the last born etc, etc. The other little mite unfortunatley has to have its leg amputated at about 8 weeks, vet said again was one of those things, mother had not cleaned it properly. He recieved some antibiotics and was told to prepare to lose him too, but if he survived the weekend, he may just be OK.

I feel that i have failed Jazz in some ways. All the kittens had homes, we were intending to keep one. I have had to tell two people that they won't be receiving a kitten, whilst I am upset for them, I seem to be giving the sympathy. We are going to keep Jake (the poor mite that needs the amputation). But I can't think now about losing the other two right now.

It's now Sunday night/Monday morning being 1.08 and all are feeding well and getting round bellies, but I find myself constantly checking the basket and can't keep my mind to a lot else. But fingers crossed they will all continue to thrive. A lot of wellwishers have said (well she can have another litter!!!!!). My mind is already made up, whilst the concept of cute cuddly kittens are great, it's a lot of hard work for everyone, not to mention how cruel fate can be.

The experience was wonderful, but tinged with great sadness. I can't go through it again and I can't let Jazz either, she has only just stopped pining for little rosey that she lost.