Dystocia, difficult births, in Peke-face Persian cats. INFOGRAPHIC.

This infographic succinctly summarizes dystocia, which refers to difficult births in Peke-face Persian cats. It highlights one of sixteen inherited health issues associated with this extremely bred cat breed. More infographics on Peke-face inherited health issues are available by following this link. Additionally, there are two topics below the infographic discussing how breeders manage this inherited health problem.

Dystocia, difficult births in Peke-face Persian cats. INFOGRAPHIC. by Michael Broad

How do Peke-face Persian breeders deal with this?

Breeders of Peke-face Persians, being aware of the high risk of dystocia (difficult births) in these cats, typically take several steps to ensure the safety of both the queen (mother cat) and her kittens during pregnancy and delivery. Here are the common strategies used:

1. Veterinary Involvement:

Planned Cesarean Sections (C-sections): Since dystocia is common in Peke-face Persians, many breeders schedule planned C-sections ahead of time, especially if they have noticed signs of trouble in previous pregnancies or if the mother has a history of difficult births. A veterinarian can monitor the pregnancy closely and recommend a C-section if the kittens appear to have large heads or if the mother’s pelvis seems too narrow for natural birth.
Regular Vet Checkups: Breeders usually have their queens regularly checked by veterinarians throughout the pregnancy. Ultrasounds or X-rays may be used to assess the size of the kittens and whether they are likely to fit through the birth canal. This allows the breeder and vet to make informed decisions on whether intervention is needed.
Emergency Care Readiness: If natural labor begins and complications arise, experienced breeders often have emergency veterinary care on standby. They are prepared to take the queen to a vet for an emergency C-section if labor stalls or becomes problematic.

2. Monitoring the Queen Closely During Labor:

Constant Supervision: Peke-face Persian breeders generally monitor their cats very closely during labor. Signs of dystocia include labor that goes on for too long, signs of pain or distress, or lack of progress in delivering kittens. The breeder must be vigilant to ensure that any problems are quickly addressed.
Intervening Early: If the queen shows signs of difficulty, the breeder may intervene early by consulting with a vet to avoid prolonged labor, which can endanger both the mother and the kittens.

3. Breeding Management:

Selective Breeding: Some breeders may attempt to reduce the likelihood of dystocia by selectively breeding Persians that have a less extreme brachycephalic (flat-faced) appearance or wider pelvic structure. While this is less common among breeders of Peke-face Persians, it can be a strategy to mitigate health problems.
Controlled Mating: Breeders sometimes carefully choose the sire (male cat) to avoid exacerbating the issue. For instance, they may select a male with a slightly less extreme head structure to reduce the chance of kittens being too large for the mother to deliver naturally.

4. Birthing Assistance and Tools:

Assisting Delivery: Some breeders, in consultation with their vet, may be trained to assist in the birthing process when a kitten becomes stuck or is in an awkward position. However, this is done carefully and with professional guidance to avoid harming the mother or kittens.
Special Equipment: In some cases, breeders may keep specific tools or medications on hand (as recommended by their vet) to assist with the birth if there are minor complications.

5. Health Management:

Proper Diet and Weight Control: Since obesity can increase the difficulty of labor, breeders ensure that their queens are on a proper diet and maintain a healthy weight before and during pregnancy. This reduces the risk of birth complications.
Exercise and Care: Good overall care, including exercise and maintaining general health, can help reduce complications during labor.

6. Experience and Training:

Experienced Breeders: Breeders who specialize in Peke-face Persians often have significant experience dealing with pregnancies and births in this breed. They know what to look for and how to respond quickly to avoid complications.
Training in Feline Obstetrics: Some breeders undergo specific training in feline obstetrics to better manage the birthing process, especially when dealing with high-risk breeds like the Peke-face Persian.

7. Ethical Breeding Practices:

Breeding Less Often: Due to the high risk of dystocia and the potential health risks associated with brachycephalic features, ethical breeders limit the number of litters a queen produces. This helps ensure the long-term health of the mother cat and reduces the likelihood of recurrent difficult births.
Health Screening: Many breeders ensure that their queens and sires are thoroughly health-screened to avoid passing on other hereditary conditions that could complicate pregnancy or birth further.

In conclusion, Peke-face Persian breeders deal with the challenges of dystocia through a combination of veterinary planning, close monitoring, and careful breeding practices. Many rely heavily on veterinary intervention, including scheduled or emergency C-sections, to ensure safe deliveries. The most responsible breeders focus on the well-being of the mother and kittens, prioritizing health over extreme physical traits.

But can they put a breeding female through a C-section every time?

No, repeatedly subjecting a breeding female to C-sections is not advisable for her long-term health. While cesarean sections are sometimes necessary for Peke-face Persian cats due to the risk of dystocia, performing them frequently can lead to significant health complications for the queen (mother cat). Here’s why this approach is limited and the potential risks involved:

1. Physical Risks of Multiple C-sections:

Surgical Risks: Like any major surgery, each C-section carries risks, including infections, reactions to anesthesia, and complications related to surgical wounds. Repeated surgeries increase the likelihood of these risks accumulating, putting the queen’s health in jeopardy.
Scar Tissue Formation: After each C-section, scar tissue forms in the uterus and abdominal area. With multiple surgeries, this scar tissue can build up, making subsequent surgeries more difficult and increasing the risk of complications during the procedure. Scar tissue can also affect the queen’s overall reproductive health.
Reduced Uterine Health: Repeated C-sections can weaken the uterus, leading to conditions such as uterine rupture, especially in later pregnancies. This can be life-threatening for the cat and the kittens.

2. Impact on Recovery and Overall Health:

Slower Recovery Times: With each C-section, the queen may take longer to recover fully, especially if she has multiple litters close together. This can lead to chronic stress, decreased immunity, and other health issues over time.
Decreased Reproductive Lifespan: Frequent C-sections can shorten the queen’s reproductive lifespan. Breeding females need time to heal between litters, and repeatedly undergoing surgical births can exhaust the cat, leading to a decline in her health and reproductive capabilities.

3. Ethical Considerations:

Quality of Life: Ethically responsible breeders prioritize the well-being of their breeding cats. Subjecting a female to multiple C-sections without adequate recovery time compromises her quality of life. Overbreeding, whether through natural births or C-sections, can cause chronic health issues, stress, and discomfort.
Breeding Limits: Most ethical breeders limit the number of litters a queen can have in her lifetime, especially if C-sections are required for each birth. Many veterinarians recommend retiring a queen after two or three C-sections to avoid long-term health problems.

4. Breeding Alternatives and Management:

Retiring the Queen Early: If a breeding female requires multiple C-sections, breeders often retire her from breeding earlier than they might with cats that can give birth naturally. Retired queens are usually spayed and placed in loving homes to live out their lives comfortably as pets.
Selective Breeding: Some breeders may attempt to reduce the likelihood of C-sections by choosing breeding pairs that are less extreme in their brachycephalic features. While this is challenging in Peke-face Persians, some breeders focus on reducing the degree of flat-faced traits in favor of more traditional Persian traits (like those seen in Doll-face Persians) to avoid constant surgical births.
Breeding Cycles: Breeders typically ensure their queens have enough time between litters to recover fully, regardless of whether they gave birth naturally or through a C-section. Adequate rest between litters reduces stress on the body and improves the overall health of the queen.

5. Health Screening and Monitoring:

Health Assessment Before Each Pregnancy: Before allowing a queen to become pregnant again after a C-section, responsible breeders usually have the cat undergo a thorough health check to ensure she has recovered and is strong enough to carry another litter.
Monitoring Uterine Health: Over time, repeated C-sections can lead to complications in the uterus, so breeders work with veterinarians to monitor the queen’s reproductive health. If the risks become too high, they retire the queen to prevent further pregnancies.

Conclusion:

While a C-section can be a necessary intervention for a Peke-face Persian cat to ensure the safety of both the mother and kittens, repeatedly subjecting a breeding female to C-sections is not sustainable or healthy in the long run. Ethical breeders typically limit the number of C-sections a queen undergoes, retire her from breeding early if necessary, and prioritize her well-being throughout the breeding process. Repeated C-sections come with significant risks, and responsible breeders manage pregnancies carefully to avoid putting undue strain on the queen’s health.