milk fever in cats

Question
My farm cat all of a sudden is not eating or drinking and moving very slow.  She is keeping away from her 5 week old kittens.  She is of course full of milk. When I pick her up she cries or complains.  I am just suspecting milk fever because I don't think she's gotten into antifreeze or anything.  Would it hurt to force some water on her or give her penicillin?

Answer
Definitely keep her isolated and force fluids into her.  Also offer her canned food and try to put compresses on her.  You can certainly give her penicillin, but I do not know the dose to tell you for what type you may have.  Normally we use Amoxicillin at work and I dose it 10 mg per pound.  And make sure the kittens have some baby rice or kitten milk replacer.  I always find that IAMS canned food is a favorite as well as meat baby food.