Expert: Karen Craft - 5/2/2007

Question
On 22Apr07 our cat Hermione had 7 kittens.  All are well and thriving. Hermone has done a great job taking care of them. We also try to work with a 3/4 rotation for feedings. My concern is that over the last few days I have noticed that Hermone has pulled out the hair between her hind legs and up to the first two sets  of nipples. The area is now red and inflamed. Tonight I noticed a few areas of seeping so while the kittens were well fed and asleep I applied some ointment to the area and kept her away from the kittens for awhile. Is this a normal behavior and what would you recommend for treatment/prevention  of the  situation?  Thank you for your help with this matter.

Answer
Hi Cass,

What you describe is not normal. But what you have done is good. You can try using something called Bag Balm on the nipples.This is made for inflamed nipples. You can get it at almost any drug store. Make sure you are feeding her kitten food for the extra nutrition she needs for nursing. And you might want to check her for fleas with a flea comb. You may not see them but if she has them this would also cause what you describe. If you feel that nursing this many kittens is too much for her get some KMR at either a pet store or Wal Mart and supplement her feedings with this. You can also use something called kitty glop. This stuff is fantastic for nursing kittens. I will give you the recipe for it. I would feed the kittens this stuff twice a day to give Hermione a break. You can also feed her this. She will love it. Good luck and let me know how she and the kittens are.

Ciao, Karen
INGREDIENTS:
1 lg. can evaporated milk
2 tbsp. plain yogurt
2 tbsp. mayonaise (real not light or No-Fat)
1 tbs. Karo Syrup (light)
1 pkg. Knox gelatin
2 egg yolks (beaten, )
1 cup Pedialyte (unflavored)
2 jars Stage one Baby Food (chicken or turkey)

INSTRUCTIONS:
Mix milk, yogurt, mayonaise, baby food and syrup together well. Bring 1 cup Pedialyte to boil and mix in Knox gelatin. Set aside. Mix egg yolk with small amount of milk mixture and beat well.

Add gelatin and water to milk mixture and beat well. Add in egg yolk mixture and beat well. Remember to not use egg substitute and keep egg white to a minimum.

Pour into bowl (with cover) and set in refrigerator. Pudding will last for two weeks covered in refrigerator or over a month frozen.
Try freezing the mixture in ice cube trays and store the cubes in the freezer, thaw as many as needed.
Always warm pudding to room temperature (milk form) before feeding.