In practice

Problems on parturition and neonatal mortality in Flemish pedigree cats: a questionnaire-based study

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Abstract

Although breeding pedigree cats is increasingly popular, there is still a lack of scientific data about parturition and the problems that might occur. The incidence of kitten mortality varies between 15 and 40 %. In this study, information was collected by means of a questionnaire on six popular breeds in Flanders. Information from 151 litters was obtained. An average gestation length of 65.1 ± 2.64 days and an average litter size of 4.5 ± 1.73 kittens were extracted from the questionnaire. The litter size in cats older than four years old was found to be significantly smaller (3.6 ± 1.48 kittens) than in younger cats (4.8 ± 1.71 kittens) (P = 0.001). A caesarean section was performed in 8.5% of the litters. On average, in 6.8% of the litters, a congenital defect in one or more kittens was reported. A mortality rate of 21.4% was observed from birth until weaning. A significant higher rate of stillbirths was observed in small (1-3 kittens: 12.2%) and in large litter sizes (6-9 kittens: 7.3%) than in litters of four (4.8%) or five (3.5%) kittens (P = 0.016).

How to Cite:

De Moor, J. & Van Soom, A. & Wydooghe, E., (2019) “Problems on parturition and neonatal mortality in Flemish pedigree cats: a questionnaire-based study”, Vlaams Diergeneeskundig Tijdschrift 88(2), 97-102. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/vdt.v88i2.16032