My cat had kittens, but I think a placenta is missing. Is she okay?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The placenta can be passed before, after or with the kitten. Sometimes animals eat the placenta before we notice. I would assume it passed. If she isn't eating, lethargic or has a fever she should be seen by a Vet. I highly recommend doing so regardless to see how many more kittens are left and discuss spaying her in the next 4-6 weeks before she comes in to heat again. I wish you the best!

I would nor be concerned at this stage. Multiple placemats can be expelled at the same time and this is what you may have seen. As long as she is able to nurse the kittens and is eating and drinking well, I would just monitor for now. If she becomes lethargic or inappetant then I would get her checked by a vet. You can have an ultrasound performed to ensure everything is ok. If you notice excessive bleeding all of a sudden, I would get her seen as soon as possible. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

Kittens can come out head or butt first, it shouldn't make any difference. I would not recommend pulling on the placenta because you can tear the uterus. I would simply give Dusty time to pass it. If there are any more kittens, the placenta may pass with the next kitten. If she exhibits signs of illness (lethargy, not nursing the kittens, not eating, etc) then she needs to see a vet about the possibly retained placenta.

Cats can deliver kittens with longer breaks between than dogs. I recommend keeping her separated in a quiet area and letting nature take its course. It is very unusual for cats to have trouble with labor. If she has not passed another kitten in 4-5 hours I would call your local vet for direction. At anytime if she is not eating.,drinking, or acting properly I would take her to the vet

Go ahead and throw it away and make sure her nest is clean and dry for her and her kittens. Make sure she has as much kitten food and clean fresh water as she wants so she can make plenty of milk for her babies and not lose condition herself.

Ensure the mother has cleaned their noses and nothing is obstructing their breathing. If the mother has not broken the cords you can tie off the cord with some cotton or dental floss sterilized with boiling water. Tie two very tight knots at least one inch from the kittens belly and half inch apart and cut between the two knots with sterilized scissors. She may eat the placentas when she is completely done with the [queening](https://www.petcoach.co/article/queening-giving-birth-in-cats) (delivery). If she doesn't, you can dispose of them after a few hours.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Snow. I recommend that she sees her veterinarian or an emergency veterinarian. She has been in labor longer than is normal. She will need an x-ray to see if there are any more kittens yet to come. She can become very ill if she has a retained kitten and/or placenta. I hope this information helps.