What Is Meconium-Stained Liquor?
- miriamm00
- Nov 7
- 3 min read
Meconium is the name given to the first bowel motion passed by a baby or kitten. It’s thick, sticky, and dark green-black in colour. In some births, a baby (or kitten) may pass meconium before delivery — usually because they were stressed or unwell before or during labour.
When this happens, the amniotic fluid becomes contaminated, and we call it meconium-stained liquor (MSL). The concern is that the newborn might inhale this fluid, which can irritate or inflame the lungs and cause breathing difficulties.
Is It Serious?
Most cases of meconium aspiration cause only mild breathing issues that resolve on their own. However, in some situations, especially when a lot of meconium is inhaled, it can cause serious respiratory distress requiring intensive treatment (in human babies).
In kittens, meconium-stained liquor usually indicates that the kitten was under stress before birth. While it’s rare for a kitten to become critically ill from this, it’s important to monitor them closely in the first few days of life.
Should You Try to Suction?
In human medicine, studies show that suctioning the baby’s mouth and nose as the head is delivered does not reduce the chance of developing meconium aspiration syndrome — even when the meconium is thick or the baby was in distress.
There’s still some uncertainty about suctioning very flat babies (those not breathing right away). Suctioning after birth, before the first breath, can still be considered if meconium is thick — but only if you know how to do it safely. My OBGYN friend says to leave the kitten for few minutes to see how they transition to let this happen naturally, you can suction after they've been breathing for a few minutes if they're struggling. Often human babies are put on CPAP - positive pressure via a mask, so a few quick breaths mouth to mouth -remember the lung volumes are only a couple of mls so very small short breaths are all you need, I put a couple of layers of tissue paper over the mouth to ensure its not a complete seal to prevent over ventilating and to prevent a mouthful of amniotic fluid for myself!
Some breeders use baby nasal aspirators (“snot suckers”), but suctioning without proper training can do more harm than good. Unless you’ve been shown how to do this by an experienced breeder or vet, it’s best not to attempt suctioning.
What To Do After Birth
If you notice meconium-stained liquor:
Monitor the kitten’s weight to make sure they’re feeding well.
Top up feeds 3–4 times a day for a couple of days if the kitten isn’t gaining weight.
Observe for breathing issues — rapid breathing may occur, but this is often due to lung inflammation rather than infection.
Antibiotics are usually not needed unless your vet advises otherwise, as this isn’t pneumonia. In human medicine, oxygen would be given for a few days — but for kittens, the best support is close observation, warmth, hydration, and regular feeding.
Prevention Tips
Meconium-stained fluid is most commonly seen in first kittens or breech presentations. While you can’t always prevent it, you can reduce risks by ensuring your queen is healthy and well-nourished throughout pregnancy.
During labour:
Monitor progress carefully and note times between kittens.
If contractions slow, offer calcium and sugar:
Mix one 300 mg calcium gluconate tablet, one tablespoon of sugar, and 50 mL water (or use an antacid like Gaviscon/Tums, which contains calcium). Give 0.5 mL at a time.
Keep the queen hydrated – a mix of half apple juice and half water (5–10 mL every 10 minutes) can help.
Under veterinary supervision, oxytocin can sometimes be given toward the end of labour to encourage contractions.
In Summary
Meconium-stained liquor can look alarming, but most kittens do just fine with careful monitoring and supportive care. Focus on:
✅ Ensuring good feeding and hydration
✅ Watching for breathing issues
✅ Keeping accurate birthing records
✅ Supporting the queen’s health and labour progress
Remember — calm observation and gentle, informed care go a long way.
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