Momma cat with SEVERE mastitis...possible gangrene? WARNING - GRAPHIC PHOTOS

I'm really worried about my foster momma. I got her yesterday and she'd been diagnosed with mastitis and put on clavaseptin. Last night I could see a dark red ridge and an oozy part the size of a nickel. There is bruising as well.

This morning!! Oh my ... There are three slits about a 1/3 of an inch around the circumfrance which is three inches by inch and a half. It looks like the tissue is dying.

I have googled and read about gangrene. I am unsure whether the slits are from the kittens as the mass is protruding and hard.

Has anyone has any experience with such severe mastitis?? What will happen? These kittens are only a week old

You need to take her to a vet PDQ.  Hopefully it's an abcess that has burst, but she needs to be on antibiotics and the kittens may need supplementary feeding - or even completely feeding, which means every 2 hours day and night.

She saw the vet Saturday and is on antibiotics. I am supplementing already.

I am taking her back in about an hour. I just don't know what's going to happen. She's licking at it but if they give her a collar, she can't lick the kittens very well. The kittens are always climbing all over it...which they shouldn't be obv. It looks like there will be a gaping whole there soon. The difference in less than 24 hrs is crazy and that's WITH antibiotics.

UGH..so stressed.
 

It's gotten so much worse

What did the vet say???

OH my... poor momma. That looks awful. This can be very serious, as you probably already know, and if that bacteria gets into her bloodstream it can cause Septicemia which is deadly. Is the rescue taking this condition seriously? You are fostering so they are responsible for the vet bills and proper care of this momma. I am saying monster prayers and sending vibes that the vet will keep her and treat her. :cross: She may need IV meds and fluids. I think at this point the kittens will need to be hand raised. Best to keep them away from momma with that awful infection. Bless you for taking this on and I know she is in really good hand. Waiting for your report.

The vet seems to think that the medication she was started on (on saturday) will work. I wondered

if she should not be treated more aggressively. He did say she may require surgery.

He wants me to keep the babies off of her unless I am supervising. They are in adjoining rooms and I have let her in

with them while I do the compresses as I can make sure they are not clawing at the area.

I am continuing to supplement.

I am torn as to whether taking them away completely is best for all. (including me ). I do have another foster home that

would take on two or three of the five as it's so time consuming to raise five.

I am taking it day by day. It is just unbelievable how fast the area is deteriorating. I mean, it looks like she is going to have

a crater in her abdomen soon.

I'd like them to have the comfort of suckling but... sigh...
 

This photo was taken exactly 24 hours ago... it was only slightly weepy.

I know it is hard on you and honestly, ( believe me I am no pro on the subject other than second hand from volunteering at a shelter) I would not let the kittens near her at all. I think they could potentially get sick from that infection as well :dk: Not sure but I know it is not good for momma to have the kittens any where near that wound/infection. It might be best to hand off two or three of the kittens to the other foster family to raise. Very difficult situation but momma has to be taken pristine care of right now. Very important.

Levi68 said:

This photo was taken exactly 24 hours ago... it was only slightly weepy.

g2.jpg

• levi68
• Feb 25, 2013

Click to expand...

Levi68 said:

It's gotten so much worse

abcess.jpg

• levi68
• Feb 25, 2013

Click to expand...

OH DEAR. If you compare the top picture and then the bottom one 24 hours later, you can see how rapidly the infection is moving. I do think that a call to the rescue and the assisting vet is in order. I find this hard to fathom that the vet is not taking this more serious. I don't get it.... but what do I know, really. :frusty: I would think she needs hospitalization IMO.

An update: Had a phone consult with the vet. Basically, it's abcessed (obviously) The only thing surgically they can do is put in a drain and debride. The warm compresses should help draw out any infection. Her legs were vibrating when the kittens nursed with supervision) so I asked about pain meds but he wasn't convinced she was in pain...

I was putting two kittens on while compressing as she doesn't like to sit still unless she has her kittens there.

I was feeling so defeated today. This is such a huge undertaking and I just finished raising four orphans that were critically ill more than once. Life kinda gets in the way and the time committment enormous.

The shelter would have taken them back but there chances of the kittens being euthanized were probable. Which I feel is a direct result of me being unable to foster. How can I take these babies in knowing that they would face certain death

 I am pretty much the only foster home capable of 24 hour care as I do not work. Thankfully, I have found an angel who is willing to help me. She has taken the kittens for the night, a break I desperately need. We will take it day by day. I am planning on getting two or three of them back tomorrow night to help relieve any engorgment for momma.

It's not an ideal plan but one that will hopefully save all six of their lives.

I totally understand your predicament now and taking back the kittens is not an option since there is no other foster family to help. The shelter does sound like it needs more help in the way of volunteers who can foster kittens. They are far and few in between because of the time involved around the clock. You are a saint right along with that angel friend of yours. I am glad that you have someone to rely on for a break. It can be very emotionally and physically draining caring for foster kittens and even more burdensome when the mother is unwell. Feeling defeated is very common and I think sometimes it spurs us to fight on for these little creatures who depend on us for their survival. Still, it is all consuming. Sending out tons of vibes tonight for this little family. I pray that momma cat will be alright. :rub: :heart2: And, I think you need a big hug!! :grphug: :grphug2:

I am just now seeing this thread. Oh, bless your heart!!!!!  Poor momma kitty. It breaks my heart to see that.  Is that vet crazy? She has to have some pain, look at it!!

My heart goes out to you & I will be praying for her & for you! 

So, I went out to my friends house to see the kittens and teach her how I do it. She has lots of animal experience but none in raising

orphans. She wasn't offering them enough..it's amazing how much they do take for such little beings.

I asked my vet if she would give a second opinion but she doesn't do second opinions...

I had a vet tech come out for other reasons and asked her opinion. She was like "whoa", yes, def get a second opinion. Asked if they had flushed it out, no but it wasn't that bad on Tues. Asked if they had a done a culture..no, they hadn't..but good idea I think.

Their seems to be more pus tonight. It's just dreadful looking and I'll attach another pic. She is still eating and acting normally though. She is also licking at it a bit so, whether she needs a collar on.

Anyway, I called the shelter manager and sent her the pic and said I really feel she needs to be seen again. The vet from earlier in the week is off this weekend, so technically we will get a second opinion.

That has got far bigger and yes, she needs to be seen again ASAP.

Heading there now...
 

  OH my, it has gotten worse!! I am so glad you are going to another vet.  Poor momma!!  

Thank heavens I asked for her to be seen again. When I tried to give her the meds in wet food last night, she just picked at it. I was successful in getting her to eat a couple bites with the pills inside. However, when I went in this morning, she had left the rest and not eaten any kibble. Plus, vomited clear mucous.

So, we saw the vet at 11:30. She did a swab for culture and sensitivity. Said we should get the preliminary back by sat/mon. The sensitivity a few days after. They kept her for the day and gave IV antibiotics. (baytril) I am to continue with the clavoseptin (sp?)

and the epson salt soaks.

I picked up some A/D critical care wet food that is really good smelling. She didn't touch it. She did eat a few temptations for me tonight. I'm hoping I can get the pills into her.

The wound is draining alot. The blackened part is hanging half off. If I posted a pic..I might be banned for being graphic...it's that bad.

I"m so worried for her. Her temp was still in the normal range. The vet wants me to phone tomorrow morning to let me know how she is doing.
 

I'm soooo glad you saw a vet that is doing something more!  Bless her little heart.    Once the test results come back, at least they will know how to treat it better. 

Sending prayers & healing vibes for her. (What's her name?)