unusual bleeding after birthing?

Question
Hi Norm,

I've read your response to a similar question wherein you say it is not abnormal for female cats to "spot" for a few days after birthing.

We have a feral female kitten who I call Patches (approx. 8-9 months old) who gave birth to a litter of kittens 3 days ago under our backyard deck.  Because of the construction of the deck, I cannot see how many kittens she had or how they are faring.  Patches seemed to be in good shape for two days after birthing and was eating well.  

Today, however, she seems to be off food altogether (although she will take several Whiska's Temptations from my hand) and she appears to be very thirsty at the water bowl.

Tonight she came out from under the deck and has long strings of bright red blood down her back legs and around her vulva.

I'm worried about her... and I wonder if this is considered "spotting" or something more sinister?  She is very wild and I can't pick her up.  I could probably 'trap' her in a carrying cage and take her to a vet ... but her babies are only 3 days old and I doubt they could survive very long without her.

I guess my question is this... could the strings of blood (they are thick enough that they cling to her back legs but only the size of a spaghetti noodle) be considered spotting?  Or does she need immediate care despite (or in spite of) her new brood?

Thank you for any and all suggestions... I surely appreciate that there are wonderful people like you around to help simply out of the goodness of your heart and for the love of cats...

Worried in Niagara...

Helen

Answer
Helen,

Again, I am not a vet, but I wonder if she got everything out!!!!!  There may be a placenta or dead kitten left inside, or she may be perfectly fine, it is hard to tell without seeing her. A shot of oxytocin will clean her out (perhaps a bit more hemorrhaging), help shrink the uterus, and help with milk production.  If there is still birth material left in the uterus it will get infected and there will be a much worse situation festering.

What I would do is to trap her and her kittens.  Take her to the vet for a post natal check up (warning the vet that she is feral and not used to human contact).  Keep the kittens warm (which at 3 days of age is just as important as feeding). When she is back put the kittens back where she had them.

The only caveat is that should she detect human scent on her kittens she might reject them.  If she does reject the kittens, they can be hand raised for about 2 1/2 more weeks and then weaned. However, with the pressure of her milk built up and the kittens crying, she will almost totally feel duty bound to nurse them.  If you can catch her after the kittens are about 4 weeks of age, this would be a good time to have her spayed, otherwise, she could come into what is called a "lactation" heat and get pregnant, yet again!

Please let me know what transpires.

Best regards... Norm