Cat Health Post-Pregnancy

Question
I'm suspicious that a cat I recently took in has a retained kitten in her because her stomach is droopy and I feel a mass in there. She doesn't seem to show any signs of distress or illness. I've only had her 6 hours so I don't know how she treated her kittens or what her appetite is like. I have nothing to compare to. i have never owned a cat who had kittens so I don't know what is normal for their stomach after birth. The owner told me she eats regularily although she is small and thin. .Apparently she had the kittens 6 weeks ago. Is it possible to have a retained cat or placenta that long without her becoming really sick by now? I can't bear to pick her up because it really freaks me out. She purrs when I touch her and was purring while I was cleaning her ears as she seems to have ear-mites. I can't afford to get her checked until next week but I will borrow money from somewhere if there is any potability that there is a problem.

Answer
GOOD NEWS Crystal, Your new cat will not have a retained placenta or kitten. She would have died weeks ago if that had been the case. I think the mass you might be feeling is her milk glands filling up. IF her kittens have been taken away from her at 6 weeks she is going to be very uncomfortable for a few days. You will probably notice them getting larger for the next 6 hours or so and then it will take a few days for them to start to dry up. It is very uncomfortable for her and about the only relief you can give her is to allow her to float in a sink of warm water and gently massage them a bit to relieve some of the pressure. Of course most cats don't like water so this may not work in her case. Do not give her any moist food such as canned food as any liquid intake makes matters worse. If she has ear mites you may have to see a vet but it is not an emergency. For tonight you can clean them out with some massage oil or baby oil to get some of the mites out... and then get them treated asap.
Feel free to write back if I have not answered any of your questions.
Teresa