Lactating Momma

lilonesadoptee

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I have a lil love bug outside cat, that had kittens about 5-6 weeks ago. My neighbor took the kittens this weekend to the humane society to get checked out , spayed/nuetured. My problem now is momma, she is still lactating and her belly is feeling rock hard. Is there anything I can do to help her. I am slowly introducing her to my 4yr. Tortie, they smell each other and so far no hissing. My goal is to get her to the vet and have her fixed. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you
 

catsallaround

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Most shelters will not spay/neuter kittens at 5-6 weeks so where are they now and why could the Mom not be with them a few more weeks? Some shelters classify 5-6 weeks old as special needs as they take up room yet until fixed can not be adopted out.

She needs to be spayed ASAP especially with the kittens not nursing. Being outside she will be pregnant again VERY soon if she is not already now.  Is there any place you can keep her in house-a dog crate or bathroom?
 

ondine

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The hard belly may be mastitis - her mammary glands are blocked because she stopped nursing so suddenly.  I would take her to the vet ASAP for a check up and to discuss spaying her.  If the vet agrees, she can be spayed at the same time as the check-up.

As catsallaround says, this is the critical next step.  The kittens will probably not be spayed for awhile but if they are OK where they are, it may be better to let them stay there.  Depends on what the vet says about mommy.
 
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lilonesadoptee

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Thank you for the help.. I was upset when they took they babies, I felt they were still too young. I will make an appt. with my vet tomorrow. Trying to get her into a crate will be interesting :)
 

StefanZ

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As catsallaround says, this is the critical next step.  The kittens will probably not be spayed for awhile but if they are OK where they are, it may be better to let them stay there.  Depends on what the vet says about mommy.
My guess and hope they are in a fostering home and are socialized.  This age, 5-6 weeks is perfect for easy fostering into fully socialized, human friendly cats.  Later on it is more difficult, and they tend to be somewhat shy cats, if socialized later.

If so, its OK and even desirable they are separated from their shy, semiferale mom.    This is one of the  few exceptions from separating kittens from mom.
 

catsallaround

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From what she said I did not think this was a semi feral mom.  "Lil love bug" and she feels her nipples/underside hardening.  I brought this point up cause many are misinformed that a shelter will take and rehome kittens and not all will at that age.  Some shelters will take ANY kitten or cat offered but "special needs" would be euthanized on the spot.  If Mom is friendly it seems a better idea would have been to try and keep the litter/Mom together for a few more weeks until kittens hit minimum weight for Spay/Neuter even if that meant taking Mom back after her spay as we all know adult cats are not first to be adopted.  A lot kittens learn from their Mom yet.  And would have prevented this.  Good to know for future reference if nothing else:)
 
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lilonesadoptee

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My neighbor took the kittens to the humane society, not happy about that. The only good thing is, he told them that they did not want the kittens euthanized,  He told them he would be willing to adopt them if they didn't get picked. My game plan is to get momma fixed and eventually and slowly bring her in. She is an adorable lil bugger. Purrs up a storm, head butts me and tries to rub up against my inside cat. I don't want to see her go through another winter outside. I brought over my sister's cat carrier, put in some dry food, I'm going to let her get used to it, then get her butt over to the vet and checked out. 
 

catsallaround

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Sounds like a good plan for the Mom:)  and she sounds like a very sweet cat!  There is a lot of info on TCS about introduction for new cats.
 
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