Posted on 08/23/2009 8:34:49 AM PDT by T Minus Four
I need some help and advice from the vast FReeper community of experts.
I have been fostering a sweet little mamma cat and her six babies since they were two days old. The kittens are now almost six weeks old.
Three days ago "Mamma Mia" slipped out and got lost. The babies were fine because they are eating dry food now but when we found Mia last night she was in a bad way.
Her poor, um, what's the word for cats, "teets" are so swollen and impacted! She's in a lot of discomfort. She wants the kittens to nurse but she can hardly stand it and I think they aren't able to latch on.
I was hoping she'd be better this morning but still has quite a rack on her (sorry mom). She is nursing two of them right now and isn't growling in pain so maybe there's hope, but is there anything I can do to ease her pain? Should she go to the vet?
Take her to the vet immediately.
It is probably mastitis.
Mammals actually produce *more* milk right before the natural weaning process begins as the babies have grown to the point where the mother needs to produce even more food than before.
Having them go off the teat suddenly during this critical time will result in mastitis.
They will give her antibiotics [possibly hormone suppression shots] and now is a good time to spay her.
The kittens have been in Science Diet kitten chow for a few weeks now and lots of fresh water. They are thriving and are very healthy.
I think Mia needs them more than they need her :-)
The good news is as I am typing, they are all curled up next to me and Mia is letting five of the shuttles dock. (Little Jan is just conked out against my leg) And she is “smiling”, not crying.
I will take her to the vet in the morning unless she shows signs of more than discomfort tonight, then the emergency vet it is. I can afford it if necessary. I took the whole shebang in to the vet on my nickel the first week I got them and had Mia treated for ear mites to the tune of $60!
They all get the best food (science diet), an immaculate litter box and a clean warm bed although they prefer the corner of the couch now. And I have a crew of neighborhood kids who wait for me to come home from work so they can pet and play with them :-) They are quite loved and socialized.
Mamma belongs to the shelter and has to go back in a few weeks. They will spay her when she gets adopted.
I forgot to say... Don’t let them nurse. If she does have mastitis, they are drinking the infection.
There are some vets that will tell you that it is okay to let them nurse. However, as a dog breeder, I can tell you that I completly disagree, and I have had the dead puppies to prove it.
APPLY CABBAGE LEAVES. I DON’T KNOW WHY, BUT IT IS A PROVEN REMEDY. APPLIED CABBAGE LEAVES WILL FIX HER RIGHT UP IF YOU CAN KEEP THEM ON HER FOR A LITTLE BIT. IF SHE WON’T TOLERATE COLD CABBAGE LEAVES (LIKE THE WASH CLOTHS), WARM THEM A LITTLE, BUT THEY NEED TO BE RAW AND NOT WET. I’M GIVING YOU PEARLS HERE. CABBAGE LEAVES. IT WORKS ON HUMAN MOTHERS, TOO. MIRACULOUS, ACTUALLY. JUST LIKE CUCUMBERS ON PUFFY EYES, ONLY CABBAGE EASES BOTH PAIN AND SWELLING. GOOD LUCK.
She’ll probably be okay until tomorrow.
I have seen cows with severe life threatening mastitis and they wouldn’t be acting anywhere near as “comfortable” as the cat seems to be.
and
I don’t know if I would let the kittens suckle until she’s been diagnosed, though.
Mastitis is a bacterial infection and the milk that’s plugged up her teats would be infected with that bacteria.
We never let calves suck mastitis infected cows.
We’d inject antibiotics into the cow’s teats and give the calf “Calf Manna” while “stripping” the cow’s teats until the infection cleared up.
I believe she will be fine, though.
But are they the TV or movie Brady Bunch?
Awww, poor thing, sounds like she won’t tolerate the wet.
Try one of those ice bags from the drug store, fill with cool or warm water and alternate. Leave in place a minute or whatever she’ll allow, then work up to 5 mins at a time if you’re able. After she’s used to it, do this every couple hours or so.
A warm or cool wet cloth placed in a baggie would work if you don’t have the store-bought bag, or maybe she would lay on a warm heating pad.
Oh crimeny!
Too late, she finally let the kittens nurse for about half an hour and all seems so much better. Now I have to worry about the kitties getting sick!
I hope it is “just” a severe case of engorgement and not mastitis. She seems much better now and allowed me to apply warm wet washcloths to her tummy.
It must have felt good because she is not the kind of cat who enjoys being handled. She likes to be close to me and be petted briefly but not picked up or cuddled. But she let me hold her in a sort of reclining position on my lap, (front paws/claws securely held!!!) and put the warm cloths on her for a little while.
The situation looks MUCH better.
I’ll certainly keep an eye on the babies and watch for signs of sickness.
Darn it, why do pets and kids always get sick on Saturday nights/Sunday mornings!
LOL! TV for sure. I haven’t seen Greg and Marcia making starry eyes at each other yet :-)
That is very interesting although I doubt she’d tolerate it. I wonder what the science is behind that?
It might be just a case of engorgement. That happens all the time. Squeeze each one to see if there is blood or infection coming out. If the milk looks good, everything should be fine.
Good luck.
OK, Mamma is comfortably asleep, the kittens are literally climbing the curtains, and I’m going for a run, and then to woship the Lord my God who delighted in making such adorable little kittens for our pleasure!
Thank you so much all of you and I will post updates later today.
PS These kittens, born of a stray alley cat, have more documentation of their date and place of birth than the president of the United States. I’m just sayin....
Looks like you bagged it!
She was the first one to purr at three weeks old
woship=worship of course
You have a Monkey Face? WHOA! Good on ya!
Take her to the vet. I don’t about cats, but cows with impacted teets are sometimes infected.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.