Cassidy Van Den Diepstraten¹, Lucy Leicester², Dave C. Brodbelt¹, David B. Church¹, Dan G. O’Neill¹

¹Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom. ²Vets Now, Dunfermline, United Kingdom

Objectives

To examine frequency, risk factors and clinical management of dystocia in cats.

Methods

VetCompass cohort study using anonymised clinical data on 653,075 female cats under UK primary veterinary care during 2023. Risk factor analysis used multivariable logistic regression modelling.

Results

From 528/653,064 dystocia cases identified, annual incidence risk was 0.08% (95% CI 0.07-0.09). Sphynx cats had 4.88 (95% CI 2.53-9.41, p<0.001) times dystocia odds compared to Domestic cats. Brachycephalic breeds had 3.32 (95% CI 2.65-4.16, p<0.001) times dystocia odds compared to mesocephalic breeds. Breeds recognised by either the GCCF, TICA or Felis Britannica Registration had 3.15 times the odds of dystocia compared to non-recognized breeds (95% CI 2.63-3.78, p<0.001). Cats aged 2-3 years had reduced odds (OR:0.79, 95% CI 0.62-1.00, p=0.046) of dystocia compared to cats aged 1-2 years. Of the 99 (18.75%) multiparous queens, 20 (20.20%) had a prior history of dystocia. Management included oxytocin in 213 (40.34%) cases, calcium gluconate in 20 (3.79%) cases, and caesarean section (CS) in 245 (46.40%) cases. Of the 528 cases, 17 were euthanized (3.22%) and 6 died without assistance (1.14%).

Statement: Impact/ Clinical Significance

Breed-related predisposition, particularly Sphynx and brachycephalic cats, alongside a modestly increased risk in younger queens (1–2 years), underscores the need for heightened awareness among breeders and veterinary professionals managing high-risk pedigree queens. Although dystocia was uncommon (0.08%), mortality and euthanasia occurred in over 4% of cases, emphasising the importance of prompt recognition and intervention. These findings provide a reference for feline dystocia management and may inform future clinical guidelines in UK primary care.