Mom seems depressed

I don't breed cats and have very limited experience with mama cats. I have a mama cat who I rescued along with her 3 kittens. The kittens are 6 weeks old now. Mama and kittens have been doing great, eating, playing, etc. Mom tested negative for feluk/FIV and seemed healthy, with the exception of being on the thin side from living on the streets.

My question is this. Yesterday mom decided she didn't want to eat and acted lethargic all day. Today I brought her to the vet and he couldn't find anything wrong with her. Do mama cats go through a mood swing or depression? I hope this doesn't sound too stupid, but I'm just trying to figure out what's going on with her. Now tonight she seems to be feeling a little better, however, still doesn't act as happy and friendly. She's lost interest in the kittens and her milk is just about dried up.

Any information anyone can provide will be very much appreciated.

Thanks,

Patsy

Did you have her tested for feline infectionitis Peritonitis?(FIP?)
or maybe since they are 6 weeks, mom is trying to wean them? I'm not super sure here since I have never had kittens. Just giving some suggestions.

She may just need a break from her active brood. If there is anyway you can confine her in the room with the kittens but seperate, like in a cage, or carrier for about 20 minutes a day, she might appreciate it. She will have to be able to see her kits, but not let them get to her. You can try putting the kittens in another room for a few minutes a day, but my guess is this will just tend to upset mom, because even though she is getting tired of their energy level, if she is a good mom, she needs to be able to see they are all right.
Also getting her spayed is a good idea once the kits are 12 weeks old. She will be going in and out of heat and that can make her tired as well. Good luck.

The kittens are fully weaned. She is happy with that. She can see them from her perches in the house, but only visits them temporarily to give them a kiss on the head.

She'll be spayed as soon as she looks healthy enough. Right now she's way too skinny. I'm bringing her back to the vet. She won't let me give her medication, nor will she eat it in her food. I think she has an infection just starting somewhere and that's what's wrong. She is just not herself. She will only eat people tuna and nibble at the dry food scarcely. There's somehting definitely wrong with her. Maybe I'll just bring her in to the vet everyday for an antibiotic injection and if she's not better, get blood work.

No, I'm not wasting my money on a FIP test because the test isn't reliable and she's not showing any signs of real serious illness.

I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for your assistance.