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Ask the Veterinarian/milk fever in cats

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Expert: - 8/2/2009


Question
i think my cat recently had kittens, she is a indoor/outdoor cat and she is deaf. we can't find them ( if any ) we have searched everywhere outside/inside and she leaves us no clue. Her nipples are extremley full/large, and all she does is sleep and eat ( drinks plently of water), does she have milk fever??? Is there anything we can do for her? the weather is very very warm/humid where we live. could that be a contributing factor??

Answer
If she still has a distended belly she may be ready to deliver. If she had a big belly and now does not, she may be feeding them. If she is more a feral cat than domestic, they can be very sly in hiding their kittens. If she is eating and sleeping in your sight all the time, then the kittens probably were born dead, or something happened to them. Cats rarely have milk fever, which is a lack of calciuim and the symptoms are more related to the nervous/muscle systems - seizures, etc. Mastitis would be if the breasts were hard, hot, painful, red, distended.
You could take her temperature (normal is 100 to 102.5 F) and if it is normal and she disappears from your sight twice a day she is probably fine and taking care of the kittens and you will see them soon.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE get her spayed as soon as possible.It is hard for a deaf cat to be a mom and we do not need more kittens born as millions are killed at shelters daily.

Dr. Chambreau
If you have an interest in some new approaches to keeping your animals healthy, I offer holistic consulting - go to my website and sign up for the newsletter and check out information on cats and dogs in the practice section.

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Dr. Christina Chambreau

Expertise

I can give you the holistic approach to any problem in any species, though mostly I work with dogs and cats. Depending on the condition and the type of animal, I will be able to give very specific treatment suggestions such as what flower essences, homeopathic remedies, nutritional supplements, diet changes, lifestyle changes or herbs that may be helpful - not drugs. I can also suggest where you can go for further education or to find a specialist in a specific holistic field. I can help you understand why your animal is ill and what improvements can be expected. I do not check messages more than every one to two days, so PLEASE DO NOT ask about EMERGENCIES - call your local veterinarian. I cannot diagnose your animal. I cannot prescribe specific treatments. I am no longer very current with conventional treatments, so cannot answer questions on those. I am not an expert on birds or small critters. I will give you helpful connections about hose species.

Experience

I graduated from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in 1980 and began using homeopathy in my practice after a client introduced me to it. By 1988 I was using exclusively holistic treatments. I began lecturing in 1987 and have spoken at veterinary conferences, health food stores, people's homes, churches, veterinary college conferences - anywhere people want to learn more about keeping their animals healthy.

Organizations
Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy (I helped found this one) American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association National Center for Homeopathy American Veterinary Medical Association

Publications
I have written in many magazines, journals and newspapers. A few include Bark Magazine; Journal of the AHVMA; Baltimore Dog Magazine; Whole Dog Journal; Tiger Tribe; Wolf Clan. I have also been frequently interveiwed on radio and TV.

Education/Credentials
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Certified Veterinary Homeopath (CVH)

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