dog lactation

Question
I have a kitten that I found just born about 4 months ago.  I fed her kitten formula out of a bottle for a couple of months.  I also have a 1 year old chinese pug.  The kitten has been sucking on my dogs nipples for the last 4 months.  About a week ago, my pug began lactating.  Her breasts are huge, but she doesn't show any signs of pregnancy.  Is this normal? Healthy?  Is the kitten okay to drink dog milk?  Help!   Thank you

Answer
Hi Brandy!  Your dog is thinking she is the kitten's mother.  This is absolutely normal.  In unspayed female animals, stimulating the nipples, will cause lactation.  It's not dangerous for the kitten to be drinking the milk, but as long as the kitten does this, the longer your dog will lactate.  I would try very hard to discourage the kitten from suckling.  If it seems impossible to do so, get a belly band for your dog.  It's a piece of material that velcros around the dog, which will cover her breasts.  
I hope this has helped!
Hilary