Childbirth at sphinxes: joy or headache

Regardless of what kind of animal you have at home: a dog, a goat or a sphinx, the approach of your pet’s due date always causes excitement and a desire to help her and prevent an unpleasant outcome. Yes, plus one more thing: your loved one will be giving birth for the first time. All this is only because we are human and are accustomed to the fact that when our wives are preparing to give birth, everyone is “on their ears”: from mother to professor in England.

The Sphynx cat does not need this at all. She can do everything herself. This is how the nature of cats works. Therefore: be calm yourself and don’t irritate the cat, don’t call all your friends who recently gave birth to Sphynxes. All this is passed on to the cat. The mood and affection should increase as this day approaches.

However, you need to prepare, and we will try to help you with this. First: help her prepare a place for birth and where the Sphynx kittens will live. Don’t invent anything: take a large, definitely cardboard box. For better ventilation, make cutouts on the sides.

The place where a Sphynx cat will give birth has the following requirements:

Leave the top open and you can calmly watch how the birth takes place, then you will need to change the bedding and keep an eye on everything. To enter and exit the Sphynx cat, make a cutout, but so that there is a threshold at the bottom (the cat will come out, but blind kittens need to stay warm and not crawl out).

Place it somewhere quiet and peaceful. Of course, there should be clean rags or towels. Place the cat there several times, talk, pet it so that it already knows this place.
When the cat’s behavior changes: it either climbs onto the closet, then into it, does not find a place, pavers the nest (drags all the rags, paper, etc.). You should know that the first stage has begun. Put her in the box again, put in what she prepared, caress her.
Also prepare in advance what you may need during childbirth.

If you don't have a heating pad, buy one (if necessary, put it in the kittens' box). New (sterile) gloves. Pipette (you may need to remove fluid from the kittens' mouth and nose). Oil, preferably Vaseline, thread, scissors and clean cloth napkins. A notebook with a pencil or pen. Libra (you will control the weight of the kittens). Cat milk replacer for sale. Don't forget to make an appointment with a veterinarian who can help you if necessary. You need to prepare a first aid kit, put in what the doctor says.

What should you know about your Sphynx cat's upcoming birth?

As soon as you see milk appearing, get ready: a couple of days and labor will begin. She becomes restless, has no appetite, and prepares a nest for kittens.

The first stage of labor begins like this: contractions and pushing appear. Then they intensify. Don't be alarmed when the mucus plug comes out: it separated the uterus from the vagina.

The second stage of labor for Sphynxes: the first kitten begins to emerge. This can last from five minutes to an hour. If it’s more than an hour, call the vet, something’s wrong. The kitten may be born in a bubble, or it may break while it is coming out. She will tear it apart and begin to lick the baby, starting from the muzzle: it opens the airways.

Now we will explain to you what a placenta is; people often call it the bedding. During pregnancy, the placenta ensures that the umbilical cord supplies the substances necessary for the life and growth of the embryo in the womb. So, during the third stage of labor, which began after the birth of the kitten, the cat licks it and at this time the placenta comes out. This is a signal for the cat to break, or rather, gnaw and lick the umbilical cord. Before your eyes, a small ball will appear at the end of the umbilical cord: the umbilical cord is closed, everything is in order. If she eats the placenta, don’t worry, there’s no problem. But your task is to control and even write down (so as not to forget in this rush) the number of kittens and delivered placentas must match. The remaining bedding can cause infectious problems, or even pose a threat to the life of the woman in labor.

You will see that the Sphynx cat has licked the child and begins to push him towards food, now earthly, that is, towards the nipples. You already know: contractions will now intensify, and the next Sphynx kitten will begin to be born. This occurs over a period of ten minutes to an hour. And so on until she gives birth to everyone. She will do everything herself, you just need to watch for those things that we have already told you about.

When is your help needed?

- if she does not break through the birth bladder, break it yourself opposite the mouth and nose, do it boldly, otherwise it will suffocate without air;

- if she cannot break the umbilical cord, help her do it: either cut it with prepared scissors (wipe with alcohol or vodka) or break it: with your thumb and forefinger, pinch it near the baby’s tummy, and sharply tear it with your other hand;

- with a prepared pipette, if you see that the child is choking, remove the liquid from the mouth and nose.

Some owners help to get the fetus out if the mother cannot cope with this (they make a loop out of a towel, put it on the kitten and very gently, while the cat is pushing, help it get out). We suggest you call a veterinarian in such a situation: you cannot determine the reason for the arrest of labor (maybe a twisted leg, walking with the head, maybe some other reason).

Whatever you do according to our recommendation, do it boldly and confidently; you will not harm anything. In other cases, call a doctor, do not allow the cat to become weak and unable to continue giving birth.
Let's consider those cases when the help of a doctor is clearly needed.
When labor should clearly begin, but it does not occur. And not only childbirth, but even no labor or pushing. This may be uterine atony (lack of labor).

There are contractions, there are attempts, the cat is trying very hard, but cannot give birth. In any case, it's been over an hour. There are many reasons for this: the kitten is walking incorrectly (with its head), incorrect position of the legs, the uterine horns may be curled up, and others. Or when the fetus has already appeared and does not come out. Call your doctor and follow his advice.

If you have even the slightest doubt that not all Sphynx kittens were born or that there is bedding left, call a doctor.
Act calmly, don't fuss and don't rush to conclusions.