engorgement

Question
The Mamma very feral cat that we caught and had spayed is now engorged because she does not have her kittens.  How long will it take for her to not be engorged and how does this affect her surgical site?   She will not allow us to briing her in even if we felt we could do that.  The kittens are in a crate in my basement at about  weeks of age. They are eating well. t 8 weeks I will get them feline leuk tested and then adopt them out.   I have two  adult cats already in the house  (which were rescues) so I can't have Mamma running free around the house.   I want to save the kittens from illness and raccoons by keeping them inside.   However my heart is breaking for Mamma who sits outside my back door I believe waiting
for her babies.
Can I do anything to help her with the engorgement problem?
Thanks - Joyce

Answer
Hi Joyce,

Unfortunately, the engorgement really just needs to resolve itself. It should start to subside in a week or 10 days. In some cases, it may persist for a couple of weeks, but the worst of it should be over with within the first week.

Engorgement should not negatively impact healing. The biggest risk is performing surgery on a lactating cat, because blood flow is increased to the area. But once she is sutured up, there should not be much more risk than with a usual spay.

I feel sad for her, but this is the best decision for the babies. She will eventually recover from her loss and move on.

Best wishes,
Jessica