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.
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!