worried,need help

[Wanda51]

Someone please help, my beautiful Dolly gave birth to 4 on Oct. 7th, all but one died, it was her first time, they all seemed healthy just really hard births. I thought she had weaned the little one(Gracie) and I had promised her to a young lady who's cat had died. Anyway I did that last Saturday the 29th, but Dolly's one nipple is swollen terribly and my husband says I took baby away to soon, there is also fever. She looks very heathy otherwise and is playing and eating as usual. I read about feline mastitis and it has me worried sick. I love her so much and really can not afford a vet right now. Anyone have any ideas. Thanks

[Traci]

If you can determine the following, then mastitis is a very serious concern: swollen mammaries, red or bruised around the area, edema, rough or sloughing skin, oozing of blood or pus from either the nipple or swollen glands, persistent fever, painful when touched and lethargic. In the event one or more signs is evident, I'm afraid you must take her to your vet and immediately please. Mastitis is a very painful, serious infection that can worsen almost literally overnight, don't take the risk. Please call several vets in your area, compare exam prices and get an appointment for her to at least be examined, you will have peace of mind for doing so and your kitty will thank you. If it is mastitis and if caught early on, the infection can be treated with antibiotics, but if left to worsen, will require stronger antibiotics and possible flushing/debridement of the open sores, of course more expensive.

[wanda51]

Thanks so much for responding so quickly! None of the signs you mentioned are visible except she seems warm around the nipple but not actually hot. It is swollen but husband says its excess milk, I have no idea, but it does not look infected at all at this point. Vehicle tore up this week and washer too, just no way I can take her to the vet this week. Is there anything I can do myself? Not on poor man's row or anything just happens to be a bad week. When it rains it pours you know. lol thanks for any help.

[Traci]

First, may I ask you oblige me and check her mammary: If it is firm, rather than soft, and if it seems painful to her when you touch or press slightly on it, then I would caution you this may be the start of mastitis. In that event, you can't prevent it, it will require veterinary attention.

You can also try expressing the mammary gently to express milk and to determine if the milk contains pus, blood, or infection. If there is no pain elicited by kitty, and the milk appears normal, then it could be a simple gland reaction, or full mammary, in which you can try to "milk it" gently until you can get her seen by your vet. He can give her an injection to dry up her milk. I would warn on repeated "milking" however, as this in itself could induce bacterial infection (hence the reason for an exam)

In the latter case...you can try applying warm compresses intermittently, a few times a day to help reduce swelling. Keep the abdominal area clean and dry and monitor her closely for any of the signs I posted earlier. Again, without seeing her, impossible to say, but if this develops into mastitis, it can be a life-threatening situation, it demands immediate veterinary attention.

Keep us updated if you can?

[Wanda51]

Before I found this web-site, I cleaned the nipple area thoroughly and put hydrogen peroxide on it, this morning doesn't seem to be any fever and looks better. I checked as you asked and the area is not hard but its not liquid like either, I can touch or press all I want she doesn't seem in pain, but thinks I'm playing and starts wanting to play back. She is a very high tempered cat so I believe she would definitely let me know if I was hurting her. I also see this morning though what appears to be a scab (very tiny) on the tip of her nipple. I tried not to be but I may have been to rough cleaning her. I can not get any fluid out of any kind. Of course I have no idea of what I'm doing. It is not draining anything that I can tell. I will definitely keep her clean and a very close eye. If any of the signs you told me appear I will get her to a vet. I can not take a chance on her life, she is my baby Dolly. Please let me know if its ok to continue with the hydrogen peroxide, seems like it helped but don't want to make things worse. Thanks again, Wanda

[Traci]

Actually, don't use hydrogen peroxide, (don't use alcohol-based products either) it will be too drying to her skin.

I would just use warm water, and maybe apply a tiny amount of vitamin E oil once a day to soften. If the scab is just that, only a scab, with the vitamin E, it should soften and be removed. That nipple has to have a way to drain milk. Do NOT manipulate her nipple/mammary too much, for this will cause soreness and possibly increased inflammation.

[Wanda]

Hello again just wanted to give alittle update. The swelling has reduced to about a third the size it was, but still haven't gotten anything out of her nipple, so do you think it may have been just glands swollen? Doesn't seem to have any fever and she is very playful. Got her favorite food today (the store had been out) and she was so happy running and playing. She lets me touch her there any time but I don't more than a couple of times a day so as not to make her sore as you told me. I appreciate your help and any other suggestions too. I won't feel completely comfortable until swelling completely gone, but seems we are on the right track. Wanda

[Traci]

As long as it's reducing, and not producing pus, it might be safe to say it's going to be ok. Keep a close eye on it, the area, and her attitude and appetite, etc.