Need helping with my nursing momma cat...ASAP!!! PLEASE!!!?

Question

This is Kinker's (momma cat) third litter of kittens. Normally she has only 4, but this time she had 6. She was doing a wonderful job with her babies like always, but yesterday she disappeared for a little while (which isn't out of the ordinary for her) and when she came back she was walking very very slowly. She came straight to the bedroom (where her food and water is) and she sniffed her food, but wouldn't eat, and she drank some water. Then she disappeared again, but she is going somewhere in the house. A couple hours later her babies began to cry and we were unable to locate her, then she all of a sudden appeared in the bedroom only drinking water and I picked her up and took her to her babies (which normally I dont have to do, because every time her babies cry she always takes off toward them like a bat out of hell. She is a very protective mommy) When I took her in there she would let them come to her but when they would reach the nipples near her back legs she would jump up and very slowly move away. Well still today she is acting the same way hiding and only coming out to drink water. She looks extremely sick, her milk is filling up, no sores on her nipples, slightly warm (but im guessing its cause of the milk production), and she is only drinking water and not eating any food, she is using the bathroom normally, and there is no signs of worms. Is there any body who might know what could be wrong with my baby, she has been with us for nearly 2 years and she normally always sleeps with us at night or with her babies, and now she isnt. Before any smart asses decide to start harping about responsiblity and vets blah blah blah, not everyone has that kind of money, but have really big hearts and cant stand to see an animal suffer (which is what the case was when we took Kinker in). Please any advice and help would be greatful. Since her illness began we have started feeding the kittens (3 weeks old) can food, and milk replacement. Also, should we apply warm or cold compresses to her nipples to help dry up the milk and relieve the discomfort for the milk production.

sarah · Answer

I am absolutely shocked by this question! Ignorance is not bliss! Unfortunately the cat you 'love' is suffering.. And that's YOUR fault. Lots of people own pets on a low income and manage to find funds should that pet become ill or injured. Owning and caring for a pet isn't always about money, and if you have the knowledge to care properly for a pet chances are your pet won't cost you a fortune in vet fees. So why would you let your cat have three lots of kittens? And if you can't afford.a vet, how you going to flea/worm/vaccinate them all? And also the kittens are too young to be eating canned food and are also going to get ill. If you really do love your cat, find a way to pay for treatment... And also get her spayed!!

Libraryanna · Answer

If it was a person, I would say she has mastitis, a breast infection. That requires antibiotics.

If she will let you, try expressing her milk and give it to the babies. You can also place warm cloths over her nipples for about 15 minutes before she eats. You don't want to dry up the milk, you want it to flow more.

Why on earth don't you take your sick cat to the vet? Yes, I know money is an issue. (However, if you can't afford to care for your cat, why did you let her have kittens?) Sell something if you need the money.

Anonymous · Answer

If they are 4 weeks old, you can start them on high quality canned kitten food (chicken or lamb only - NO fish) mixed with KMR and warm water. Mix to a thick soup and take each kitten and let them lick some of the formula/mix from your fingers. You might have to gently push a bit in their mouths at first. You don't need to be feeding them from a medicine dropper. This should be given 3-4 times a day (every few hours). Plan on rehoming these kittens no sooner then 12 weeks old because they NEED more time together since mom is not weaning them like they should be weaned.

Callie · Answer

While I agree that she needs to go to the vet you could try offering it wet food or tuna to see if she will even consider eating that.  If she is not nursing the kittens at all you need to go to the store to get milk supplement that you can give them with an eye dropper.  You could also try giving the kittens some supplement even if she is nursing some to help take some of the strain of the extra kittens off of her.  I do however repeat that I agree that she needs to go to the vet if she does not improve as there is a lot that internally could go wrong with having kittens and if she does improve and get healthy i would suggest finding a spay neuter clinic in your area and getting her fixed so that you will not put her through this again.

Anonymous · Answer

Call a vet! She could be very sick.

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Need helping with my nursing momma cat...ASAP!!! PLEASE!!!?

5 Answers