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Cats/Help for lactating cat
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Question
My daughter's cat had 5 kittens. They were 8 weeks old and eating a lot on their own. They would still nurse but not often. My daughter had to give the kittens to a shelter (12/26#, she is moving out of state, but had to keep the mom. The Mom was also spayed #12/18). She is now very swollen with milk. She is acting normal and does not appear to be in any discomfort, but is there ANYTHING we can do to help her out? Thank you for your time.
Lynelle,
Usually, after about 2 weeks, the milk "packs up", i.e. the mammary glands get hard as the milk dries up. Within another two weeks, the milk should all be absorbed by the mama. The best thing to do is to let nature take its course and let the mama's body reabsorb all unused milk.
If she is really in discomfort, you can try a VERY SMALL amount of olive oil rubbed on the teats, but, in truth, no one knows if this really helps the mama cat or makes us think we are helping. In truth, with our lactating queens, we do nothing and let nature take its course.
Best regards... Norm.
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Answers by Expert:
Norman Auspitz
Expertise
I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.
Experience
I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.
Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.
Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook
Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.
Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.
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