The Risks of Breeding Cats & Health Complications
Breeding can have many complications along the way, with many health issues that can occur. As a breeder, you need to ensure you are fully educated on all of the possible health risks in breeding and how to watch for, manage and treat complications if they arise.
We’ve put together this handy guide in breeding your cat, and the complications that are and can happen with pregnancy in cats and their litters of kittens.
Studs and Visiting Queens
A first time queen should really visit an experienced stud who will work hard to woo your queen. It is important to consider that taking your inexperienced queen to the vets for the necessary tests (blood test / snap test) and then travelling with her to meet the stud cat can be quite stressful for her.
If your stud is at public stud, it is recommended that he should be blood tested for FeLV (Feline Leukemia) and FIV (Feline Aids) at least twice a year.
Breeders must also test all females who will be with a stud. The entire household should be FeLV/FIV negative. Allowing breeding queens to come into contact with cats in the stud household, who may also be in contact with neighbourhood felines, can be very dangerous. They could be carrying a variety of diseases which can be passed on easily via litter trays, feeding bowls, or in the saliva when grooming. You can never be too careful, so it is for this reason that you should insist on a 24 hour FeLV/FIV test for visiting queens.
Things to consider about as a breeder:
As a queen owner visiting a Stud do you ask questions, get to know a potential stud owner and the stud before visiting? Or do you just visit as you have no other option?
Have you asked to see all relevant paperwork before visiting including the vaccination card?
Are you aware of any Stud issues for the chosen stud?
Any previous matings that have not resulted in a pregnancy - if so do you know why?
Stud owners - who are you allowing into Stud? Do you know the breeder well enough?
Do you know of any complications with the queen? Has the queen miscarried, delivered deformed/dead kittens.
We ALL need to think before either accepting visiting Queens or visiting a Stud without knowing the full history of the stud.
THINK! Research and Plan
Health Conditions in Breeding Cats
G-Strep
G-Strep is part of the normal microbial flora of gastrointestinal tract, vagina and skin of cats. This can cause significant morbidity and mortality ranging from death in young kittens, from pyometra, pneumonia and upper respiratory infection.
G-Strep requires specialist equipment to grow the bacteria, however bacteria can be detected through a vaginal smear with sensitivity tests. Many vets are not aware of G-Strep, especially in the UK. A number will mistake it for an upper respiratory infection, chlamydia or calicivirus.
Common signs and symptoms and identified issues that can be related to Strep G include;
Unexplained abortions or absorption
Stillborn kittens - litters with 4-5 stillborn kittens, 1 survivor
Small litters with 1-2 kittens
Birth abnormalities / Deformed kittens - e.g. missing limbs, intestines on the outside, cleft palate
Fading Kittens. Kittens doing okay, then suddenly die from acute severe pneumonia
These sort of issues don’t respond to mainstream antibiotics
The good news is, G-Step can be treatable, however it can spread left undetected / untreated. Both Stud and Queen need to be treated if G-Strep is detected in either.
Clindamycin is the recommended drug to treat this. There is a protocol you would need to stick to, ask your vet for advice.
Useful links to read - Part 1, Part 2.
If you have any doubts regarding this you should close the doors to any other cats visiting for a minimum of 12 months whilst you try to treat or establish what’s going on. You shouldn’t sell any ACTIVE cats again for over 12 months.
Congenital
Congenital malformations may result from a flaw in the kitten's genes, or a problem during early development. Defects during development can also occur due to health issues of the mother, including stress and malnutrition. Taurine deficiency is known to hinder the development of the muscles and bones in kittens.
Feline Herpes
Has your cat caught a cold? It could be feline herpes, also known as a feline viral rhinopneumonitis (FVR), rhinotracheitis virus and feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1), and one of the most common of upper respiratory infections in cats.
Common symptoms of feline herpes include;
Sneezing attacks
Discharge from the nose and eyes
Eye ulcers
Fever
Depression
Loss of appetite
Lethargy
An already infected pregnant cat might also pass the virus on to the kittens who are still in the womb. Feline herpes can be diagnosed with lab tests.
Ulcerated eyes through herpes can be treated, which may cost around £250 per week from your veterinarian.
Pyometra
Pyometra is defined as an infection in the uterus. The uterus is also known as the womb and is where the developing foetus is located. It is a serious and life threatening condition that must be treated promptly and aggressively. Pyometra is often the result of hormonal changes in the reproductive tract.
Identifying a pyometra in a queen is crucial, if it’s an Open Pyometra then you will see ‘puss’ from her uterus. The puss can be white, yellowish and even slightly green. The most successful treatment is Alizin injections and a strong course of antibiotics. The Alizin injections are to be used on day 1, day 2, day 7 and if needed again on day 14 and even day 21 if needed. The antibiotics should be for a minimum of 2 weeks ideally. It’s recommended that after this treatment you mate the queen straight away.
Note: If you suspect your cat maybe poorly, or you are experiencing complications in breeding, always consult veterinary advice. Anything on this website is for information only.