nursing issue

Buttercup delivered one kitten about 3.5 weeks ago.  She has been nursing and caring for him, and all has been going well.  Theo has one nipple he nurses from and that I am aware, he does not nurse from the others.  Buttercup has some swelling in her tummy/side near the nipple Theo nurses from (its noticeable, you can see she is bigger there when she walks).  Does this sound normal? We are not able to get her into the vet until tomorrow, and I think he will do her spay surgery while she is in.  Is there anything we should do for her in the meantime.  Is it safe for Theo to be eating wet kitten food?  If the vet does the say surgery, Will Buttercup still be able to nurse, and if she doesn't, will the kitty be able to get by on kitten food or will we need milk replacement?

Its common they have their favorite teat, and nurse almost exclusively from this.   It may be havoc when they are many, in part because of this...

1. Re the swelling I dont know much about - may be dangerous, may be harmless.  The vet will help you tomorrow... 

It is wise of you you prepare some what if scenarios...  Some wet food, some minced meat, some baby food...

Goat milk perhaps.

She will probably be able to continue to nurse even after spaying, as soon she has had some rest, in one day, or even less...

Okay, thank you.  I hope she is okay.  Theo seems to like the kitten food so they should be okay.  My daughter gave him a taste of it and he ate a little bit and then I went and picked him up for a cuddle and he was smacking his lips at me looking for more.  Just not sure.  Don't want to make him sick by giving him too much wet solid food right away - I don't even know if he poos yet. You would think that if it is just the one nipple that is sore, momma would make him use another.

mollyblue

That "swelling" is most likely because that mammary gland is full of milk!

It is too soon to spay your mama cat. The baby needs to be 8 weeks old before she is spayed. Is there any reason why you cannot wait?

When you take mama in at 8 weeks to be spayed, Theo can get his first shots.

In the meantime, he needs to nurse as much as possible and slowly transition to mush, which is pate-style wet food with kitten formula mixed in. You can also pour formula over kitten chow to soften it, though at 31/2 weeks he is probably not quite ready to eat solids yet.

mollyblue

I answered above, but now you say the nipple may be sore.

Is it red and warm all around as in mastitis? Sore to the touch? If so, she needs antibiotics to fight the infection.

Kittens generally pick their favorite nipple and stay with it. But if she has mastitis, that nipple and mammary gland will need to get well.

In the meantime, you can apply a warm, wet compress to the affected area to relieve swelling and discomfort.

It's good she is seeing the vet tomorrow, but I do not think she should be spayed tomorrow.

Well I am not sure if it is sore.  She doesn't complain, but this is the stray/feral cat that adopted us about 6 weeks ago.  She doesn't mind being petted, but she is not particularly fond of being handled.  This is my daughter's cat and she is the one who called the vet to discuss when Theo needs his first appointment. I think she wanted to get momma and baby fixed at the same time, but the vet said he would rather wait until baby is 5-6 months old before doing his surgery.  We are taking momma in because of the swelling - I am not certain if he will do the surgery tomorrow or not.  It may depend on her.  She has gotten pretty friendly towards my daughter, and myself, and she doesn't mind being petted, but she is not crazy about being handled and not sure how she will do in the carrier.  My daughter took her to the emergency clinic the day after Theo was born because she could still feel what felt like two masses in Buttercup's tummy, but she only delivered the one kitten and did not appear to be having anymore labor.  They never got to see the vet that time, they just sat and waited and waited for hours until my daughter got up and left.  This time she is taking her to our normal vet.  (We intended to use the vet clinic because they have a cheaper spay/neuter program and I believe they do the TNR program - but we like the service at our regular vet better).  I think Theo will be 4 weeks tomorrow.

MollyBlue said:

 
Okay, thank you.  I hope she is okay.  Theo seems to like the kitten food so they should be okay.  My daughter gave him a taste of it and he ate a little bit and then I went and picked him up for a cuddle and he was smacking his lips at me looking for more.  Just not sure.  Don't want to make him sick by giving him too much wet solid food right away - I don't even know if he poos yet. You would think that if it is just the one nipple that is sore, momma would make him use another.

Click to expand...

Nay, as long as he nurses from mom only, she will eat up his poo, so you probably dont even see it.

Now when he begins to eat real food, the poo changes, and the mom dont want to eat it anymore.  So NOW he will begin to poo in the litter.

Be sure its a non clumping litter!