Signs of parturition

SIGNS OF PARTURITION
  • The average length of gestation is 63 to 65 days and female will show signs as early as 61 days.
  • At the final week of gestation, the mammary glad enlarge rapidly, milk can be squeezed at last 1 to 2 days.
  • One reliable mean is the body temperature of the queen, during the advanced stage of parturition, the body temperature should be monitored regularly, normally the female’s body temperature falls down 12 to 36 hours prior to parturition.
  • The rectal temperature usually falls from 101.5 ° F to 98-100 ° F.
  • The average time between initiation of strong uterine contraction of 2 stage labour to birth of kitten is around 10 to 30 minutes, and the total litter will born within 2 to 6 hours.
  • Some times the female may take rest and will not show sign of labour for up to 2 hours between kittens.
  • But active straining and signs of hard labour for more than 30 to 60 minutes is a sign of dystocia.

Queening
Last modified: Thursday, 7 June 2012, 10:42 AM