Queen With fever

Question
QUESTION: My Female gave birth today at about 5pm. It is 12:30am now and she is still secreting some what appears to be blood clots. The kittens (3 of them) were born still born.  Very small and a slight hint of hair.  This was her first litter.  She appears to be running fever. (her ears are very warm.  She is purring like crazy, but is very intent on sleeping...I have gotten her to eat some baby rice formula that I mixed with water, and drink alittle. (I had to put her in the bathtub to do so...she's weird and picky about water)...I guess my question is:  Are fevers normal, and when should the bleeding stop?  Is it possible that she had a miscarriage and is now discarding the babies??  She hasn't been sick, and is very well taken care of.  She also does not seem to be discomforted in any way now, other than tired. I'm looking for possible answers due to not being able to afford the vet at the moment, but would be devastated in the loss of my baby. Please help.
ANSWER: Hi Michelle, My biggest concern right now is Why did your Cat deliver premature kittens. Although the kittens are dead and she appears to be finished delivering I think that the reason she aborted could be a serious one and that is what you should be focusing on. She should NOT be running a fever. Perhaps she had a uterine infection which killed the kittens and caused premature labor. This could become serious if left. She is probably fine for the night but I would certainly have her seen by a vet in the morning. As  you say you do not want to lose her. You may want to bring the kittens with you for the vet to look at. He may recommend an autopsy on them if you want to continue to breed her. If your cat was not tired and was actively eating and drinking I would not be as concerned but from what you have described it sounds like she is quite ill.
I would recommend spaying her right away if finances are a concern. It may be the only cure for her anyways... Unfortunately cat breeding is not always an inexpensive hobby ! Teresa

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QUESTION: Hi.Thank you for such a fast reply!  I finally got her to eat wet food.  And it was not my intention to breed her. she escaped the house a few days before her appointment to be spayed. :/  She has been getting a little more active and her fever seems to be going away. She has rolled over wanting me to rub her belly, in which I've realized she may still have babies in her! She seems to have at least one that I can feel!  Could she still be in labor?  I've not alot of experience with cat birth.  Only when strays wonder up pregnant.  So I'm baffled at how long the process may take. She still does not seem to be discomforted, and is talking alot.  I am very, very concerned about the possible kitten left in her....any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.  I plan to get her into the vet ASAP, but would like to bring her to my vet rather than the Emergency animal hospital. She has also moved from her basket.  I don't know if this is a good sign or not.

Answer
Hi Michelle, I am glad to hear that your cat is eating something. Do you have a thermometer that you could take her temperature with? It would need to be a baby rectal thermometer and her temp should be about 101.5
Usually labour from start to finish no more than 12 hours so I would doubt she is in labour right now.. but that is not to say that there isn't anything left inside her?? Double check and see if you actually feel a kitten moving. Don't squeeze her to feel.. just leave your hand on her side when she is laying down and see if there is any movement. Sometimes when you palpate it feels like movement as the organs shift around. If she continues to eat and seems settled then I would not be too anxious.. but I would certainly recommend you keep a close eye on her and remain home as much as possible ! Teresa