Pretty Mama ill

[Catty1]

I'm sure as her pain lessens, she'll welcome the kittens back. They are just the source of "owie" right now.

So - no antibiotic ointment or anything? I guess the vet doesn't want to risk the kittens getting any drugs in their system.

Maybe someone here has something else that has worked well.

Here are some bits of info I Googled - by all means, check them with your vet first! This is just info that may ring a bell or fill you in a bit more.

(PS - Kittens are "neonates"? Who knew? )

The treatment for mastitis is usually fairly uncomplicated and rapidly responsive to antibiotic therapy. Treatment of the nursing neonates is usually more labor intensive and difficult. There is some debate on whether or not to let the nursing animals continue to do so. The continued nursing of the neonates, if allowed by the dam, is actually beneficial in the treatment of mastitis since the infected milk is continually drained from the teat. Additionally, the ingestion of infected or antibiotic containing milk is generally not a problem (unless the gland is abscesses or gangrenous) in the young animal. However, the infected milk is of poorer nutritional value, so neonates usually will require nutritional supplementation.

Interesting list of symptoms here:

What are the signs of mastitis?

* Pain, heat & swelling of the affected gland(s)
* Fever
* The milk may be bloody, yellow or thick
* The queen may refuse to let her kittens nurse from the affected gland
* The queen may become depressed & lose her appetite & become dehydrated
* The queen may be lethargic
* Sick or dying kittens

Here's the link to the whole article - it's pretty user-friendly.

http://www.cat-world.com.au/MastitisInCats.htm

Good luck!

[freckledimple]

Thank you for the link We really don't want them to nurse until we can get Pretty Mama to eat more. We don't want to add to her problems if they suck too much out of her.

On the plus side, the babies are eating well The runt of the litter has even started to open his eyes; and he is a he. He squirted me We are also going to have to get a taller box for them tomorrow

[Medusa]

Aw, poor girl. You seem to have everything under control, though. As you say, the cuteness factor helps. I hope that all continues to go well and that Pretty Mama heals quickly.

[freckledimple]

Pretty Mama has started eating little bits on her own, and the blockage is getting better. The babies are continuing to eat well, too. We even had our first poops last nightmm I had forgotten how sticky and stinky that stuff is Will post new pics later.

[Pinot's Mom]

Good job! But please don't take pics of the poops!

[freckledimple]

Promised pictures (no poops)

[TommyCat]

Oh that is so precious! What a good Mommy she is with those cute babies. You are a wonderful caregiver/Mommy, too.

[kittykatharine]

This may be silly but - I know human women tend to use cabbage leaves to lessen the swelling and pain associated with mastitis. Quote from newscientist.com

Cold cabbage leaves will have the simple effect of a cold compress, and reduce heat in the same way as a cold flannel might (but without the drips). However, the beneficial effects of the cabbage are increased if you heat the leaves, by running a hot iron over them or by blanching in boiling water, before applying. The heat releases various anti-inflammatory chemicals as well as phytohormones. Leaving the leaves in the bra will have a slow-release effect as the body warms them and draws out beneficial chemicals.

You could maybe ask the vet if you could put some cabbage leaves on the floor for Pretty Mama to lay on. Its a potential idea. Hope things improve!