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Causes of Premature Birth in Cats
There are numerous reasons for premature birth in cats, with the most common being external stimuli or injuries. This usually occurs during the cat's labor period, when the cat's situation is unstable. Sudden changes in environment, unfamiliar people or pets around, or intense noise can all cause the cat to give birth prematurely after being scared. Secondly, if the cat falls sick during pregnancy, the disease is severe, or the medication has side effects, it may also lead to premature birth. Finally, if the cat is too young during pregnancy, its body hasn't fully developed, or its constitution is poor, premature birth is usually a possibility.
Firstly, clinically, premature birth is generally considered to be delivery before 61 days, meaning the cat's labor starts earlier than the original expected date. There are many reasons for cats to give birth prematurely. If the cat has other symptoms along with premature labor, it is advised to consult a doctor promptly.
- Constitutional Reasons
When a cat is pregnant at a young age when its body hasn't fully developed, premature birth may occur. If the cat's constitution is already poor, and it doesn't intake enough nutrients during pregnancy, it is also prone to premature birth. Therefore, if the owner has the conditions, they should take the cat to the hospital for regular pregnancy checks to avoid this situation.
- External Stimuli and Injuries
During the early stages of pregnancy and before labor, cats are more vulnerable. Severe external stimuli or fright, such as suddenly moving to a new environment, unfamiliar people or pets in the house, or intense noise, can easily cause the cat to miscarry or give birth prematurely. External injuries such as falling from a high place or hitting a hard object can also lead to premature birth in cats.
If a cat is pregnant at home, the owner must take good care of it and create a safe, stable, and quiet environment for it to give birth.
- Diseases or Medications
If a cat contracts a disease, such as herpes virus, feline infectious peritonitis, feline leukemia virus, feline panleukopenia virus, or toxoplasmosis, these diseases can severely harm the cat's health and may also cause premature birth.
Additionally, if a cat falls sick during pregnancy, but the treatment medication is not scientific, such as overdosing or using medications with side effects without avoiding them during treatment, it can also lead to premature birth. Therefore, special attention must be paid to medication for cats during pregnancy, and it should only be used after consulting a professional veterinarian.