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Cats/Mommy cat just lost Kittens @ 4 weeks, and is engorged with an infection

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Expert: - 9/18/2007


Question
Our 2 year old in December cat, Echo, got out the DAY before her scheduled spaying.  As you can imagine, she got pregnant, and had her kittens on time.  The kittens were all perfectly healthy (except a community eye infection, which we cleared up easily with help from our vet), until the beginning of their 4th week.  We ended up taking all 3 babies and Echo to the emergency vet on their 4th week day...unfortunately, 2 kittens died at the vet, and the third passed away here at home less than 12 hours later.  The vet said that there was nothing we could have done, and I believe him.
My question is this:
The vet had said she has "Mastitis", on the one side that the kittens nursed on.  Her breasts are engorged, the breast closest to her back legs being the largest.  She's currently on a 7 day antibiotic (Clavamox, I believe), to help stop the infection...he also mentioned the warm wash cloth thing, which I haven't been able to do more than once a day (due to work schedules, and no one available to do it).  This is day 2 of the medication, and the infection seems to be better - she's less sore, and lets me touch her now.  I'm not sure how to "milk" her, and my husband and I work long days, an hour away from home.  What would our best course of action be?

Thank you for your time.
Kellie

Answer
Hi Kellie,

I'm so sorry about what happened to the kits. There is no real need to milk her. The antibiotic will take care of the infection and her milk should dry up naturally with no kittens nursing on her. You might want to get a product called Bag Balm to use on her teats. You can get this at almost any drug store. This will help relieve some of the tenderness she is having. Also try to warm compress her twice a day if you can; in the morning before you go to work and when you come home. This will also speed her healing. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen

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Karen Craft

Expertise

I can give advice on cat behavior. I can help about newborn kitten care. I can help with senior cat care. I can answer questions about cat proofing a home or making it cat friendly. I can answer diet questions. I can answer home treatments questions for cats. At present I have 13 cats in home and two ferals outside. And there's always room for one more!

Experience

I have over 40 year's experience with cats. Father was a veterinarian and I assisted him in his work. I have 15 cats at present. Most are shelter or feral rescues. I have one purebred cat. I have done cat rescues and foster care. Some thoughts to carry with you. A Cat's 10 Commandments My life is likely to last 15-20 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful. Give me time to understand what you want of me. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainments. But I have only you. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it. Before you swat me, before you strike me, remember that I have teeth that could draw blood. And claws to strike back. And yet I choose not to attack you. If I don't act right then have me checked to see what is wrong. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old. On the difficult journey, on the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Because I love you so. Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful thing without God's critters. Pass this on.

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I have an A.A.S.

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