pregnant cat, discharge 5 days ago, cant feel kittens moving anymore

Question
My pregnant cat had a vaginal discharge, milky pink (no smell) that ran halfway down her legs on Monday and then stopped after a few more drops. Labor hasn't started after 5 days. I'm working in an area of the world where there are no vets. I'm concerned also because I haven't been able to feel the kittens move since Wednesday (they were tumbling around inside of her), although I read that this could be normal if the cat is very pregnant. I can squeeze a drop of milk from her teats, and she is acting normally - alert, eating, toileting and napping. She has shown a few signs of nesting like crawling under blankets and trying to open cabinets, but no obvious signs of restlessness or other signs of pending labor. I am observing her for signs of infection, but wonder if I should be worried. I have no clue when the first day of pregnancy was, and it's been something else trying to figure out if or when she'll deliver. How will I know if I need to look into something like a labor inducer? C-sections are not done here.

Answer
Julie,

Wow, if things do not proceed normally, it seems you have NO options!!!!!  So, far, everything does seem to be normal. The problem is that every queen does it a little differently.  Given all the signs, she should kitten imminently (which could be now, an hour from now, or a few days from now). If not, there could be real trouble inside. Normal gestation for cats is 65-67 days, with 63 days a normal minimum and 69 days a normal maximum. Counting begins right after the breeding takes place.  I know you do not know when she was bred, but you may be able to make an estimate.  Queens who go beyond 69 days are usually in trouble.

The problem with inducing labor is that if some kitten is not positioned properly, the labor could end up rupturing the uterus, at which point, all is lost. We normally do not induce labor unless the female has shown she can deliver kittens.  So, depending on the medical facilities and your persuasiveness, can you get an X-Ray and maybe a human doctor to take a look see?  If so, you could see if everything is positioned reasonably normally. About 50% of kittens are breech and as often as not, the first kitten is breech. Once the birth canal has been opened up, oxytocin can be used to induce labor. If things are really gummed up and a C-section would be the only option, I guess all would be lost!!!!!.

As for a C-section, the mechanics in cats are pretty much the same as the mechanics in humans except that the uterus has 2 horns. Also, self dissolving stitches on the outside would be a bad idea with cats as their normal grooming may dissolve them too soon.

Not that it is any consoloation, but in the wild cats do not do great at kitten birth, or we would be overrun!!!!!

Please let me know what happens.

Best regards... Norm.