Retained Placenta (Fetal Membranes)

What is it?

Each kitten is normally followed by its placenta (afterbirth), which the mother usually eats. Occasionally a cat fails to pass the last set of membranes, and they decompose in the uterus. Because mothers eat placentas, it can be hard to tell whether one is missing.

What signs should I watch for?

Watch for restlessness, belly discomfort, unwillingness to settle with her kittens, poor appetite, vomiting, fever, lethargy, and a brownish or green vaginal discharge. Some bloody discharge is normal for several days after birth, but discharge that continues for more than a week should be checked.

How is it diagnosed and treated?

Your veterinarian will examine her and feel her abdomen, often finding a fever and an enlarged uterus, and may use blood tests, ultrasound, or X-rays to rule out a retained kitten. Antibiotics are needed, and medication such as oxytocin may help expel the membranes. Rarely, surgery is needed.

Can it be prevented, and what's the outlook?

• Your veterinarian should examine the mother and litter within 24 hours of delivery to make sure no kittens or problems remain.
• Retained membranes can lead to metritis, so prompt care matters.