My friends cat gave birth five days ago to three kittens all were too small to survive

[Brittach]

My friend's cat gave birth to three kittens five days ago they were too small and all dead last night she had another one not sure what to do and if she is going great to be ok

[Lilith]

Hi and welcome and sorry to hear about those kittens.

I think your friend needs to get the cat to a vet asap. They can advise on the kitten - and also check the mother out to guard against any infection that might occur in these circumstances; intervention now could safeguard against nasties such as metritis. All the very best and keep updating.

[Crewella]

I agree, the vets pronto. I wish her well.

[Brittach]

Thank you both that's what I told her as well was kind of searching to see if anyone had ever heard of this happening

[Lilith]

No, I've never heard of this, ever, and I used to breed Siamese (in a very small way) but knew a lot of experienced breeders (and have met a good few cat rescue workers too who dealt with all sorts of situations.) I can't explain this as well as a vet would but this is what I was told by a breeder:- that when a cat is in labour the womb is, naturally, 'open' and vulnerable to bacteria and infection. The more prolonged the labour the higher the risk. Your friend's cat's womb may well have been in this state for a week. If there's any discharge, off her food, listless, this could be a potential emergency; even if no apparent symptoms, she's in dire need of a check-up just to make sure no infection's incubating in there.

It sounds to be an extraordinary occurrence and very bad luck, when so many cats have their kittens so easily, but I'm afraid this is the downside of letting a cat (whether pedigree or moggy) breed; there's a million to one chance of things going badly wrong. I do hope your friend's cat and her kitten go on ok - let us know what happens.