Nursing Cat Mother and Kittens

Question
A little over a week ago our cat was diagnosed with a mammory infection and placed on antibiotics for one week.  Before the diagnosis she had the kittens for about 4 days and was doing well.  She kept them in our shed, which is metal, and I think the heat may have been getting to her on top of her condition.  We were encouraged by a local vet to bring her in the house to help cool her and if conditions persisted then to bring her in which we did and we received the diagnosis I told you of earlier.  When she finished the antibiotic yesterday, we placed her outside and she has moved the kittens back into the hot shed and she pants and breathes heavy and I worry the shed may get too hot and cause the death of either her or her kittens or both.  We have encouraged other places for her to keep the kittens but nothing seems to work.  What should we do?  We think she infected her mammary gland by going in and out of the hole in the floor of the shed.  Now she is going right back out there.  Any suggestions would be wonderful.

Answer
Hello Greg -

Congratulations on the birth of kittens!

I don't think there is going to be anything you can do for her. Cats are very territorial and when they have their kittens that is where they will be raised.

You could move those babies one hundred times and the Mamma cat will still put them back in the orginal birthing location. This is why when indoor cats are pregnant it is important when they prepare for labor to give them blankets or a laundry basket to birth their kittens in. If you don't prepare you can have a birthing occur on your bed and you will not be able to sleep in the bed until the Mamma cat is ready to move on with her babies !

I am afraid to tell you but I think this where she is going to stay until she is ready. Be sure she has plenty of fresh water available at all times and you can wash her mammary glands yourself. Apply a little witch hazel to a cotton ball and gently wipe the nipples. Witch Hazel is completely safe to use and will not harm the kitten or contaminate the milk. Try to do this after she has feed the kittens, bacteria will be accessible and it will be the optimum time to clean her up.

Yes, you are correct to estimate that is how she got the infection - by going in and out of a hole. Dirt and bacteria will cling to the exposed nipples and will encourage infection, especially in the heat. Keep them as clean as possible and your pet should be fine.

Please feel free to contact me anytime, I will be happy to assist you with any concerns you may have regarding your pet or her kittens.

I hope this information has helped you and your pet.

If you would like information on natural and herbal remedies for human and animal concerns please contact me at wintersaurora@yahoo.com and I will be happy to help you. I also offer a catalogue of specially formulated herbal remedieds which I can send to you as well. My products are also available online at www.localharvest.org

Thank you and best wishes to you and your pet.

Sincerely,
Sharon Hubbs, AHG
Certified Natural Health Consultant & Herbalist