Yes and yes. We spay many lactating queens and they recover well. An experienced surgeon works easily between the mammary glands. After being spayed, the mother cat continues to produce milk as long as kittens nurse her.
Can a spayed cat produce milk and still be pregnant?
According to VetInfo, some cats may experience false pregnancy and produce milk if they are spayed during the diestrus stage of their heat, or reproductive, cycle. False pregnancy can also result from mating with an infertile tom, or male cat.
Can a cat produce enough milk for all of its kittens?
A cat should be able to produce enough milk for all of their kittens. Cats typically have about five kittens per litter but if a cat has an exceptionally large litter it may need supplemental nutrition in order to help its body produce enough milk for its young.
Can a spayed cat lactate and nurse newborn kittens?
I don’t think it will happen if the animal being suckled is not amenable to it but her dog clearly wanted to mother these cats so she did! Can my spayed cat lactate and nurse newborn kittens? Yes. My Siamese named Samena had to have emergency surgery when one of her kittens died in uterine.
When does a mother cat stop producing milk?
At weeks three or four of nursing, the mother cat is at its most stressful and demanding point of lactation. The mother cat’s body has been producing milk continuously for about a month now, but it is also about to slow down. Since the kittens are starting to wean off their mother’s milk at this time, less milk will be needed.
When did my mom cat get spayed?
My Mom cat got spayed two weeks ago when her kittens were six weeks old and already eating solid food moisened with substitute pets milk. Right now, the kittens are on purely solid food. The kittens were put in a fairly large playpen to prevent the kittens from breast feeding and to eventually wean them. In the meanwhile, another nine month old ...
How long does it take for a kitten to dry up after being spayed?
Usually we remove the kittens from the mom before we spay the mom. It takes about a week for it to dry up. You limit the food she can have which helps dry it up. Normally vets want it to be dried up cuz its much harder to do a spay when a cat is engorged. I wouldnt let the kittens nurse from this mother any more.
Is it bad for kittens to nurse from a mom cat?
maewkaew. No it is not necessarily bad for kittens to nurse from a mom cat that was spayed. sometimes for example a cat is spayed at the time of having a c section and the kittens still can nurse after a day or so. I don't understand why the vet is saying the milk turns acidic. that should not usually happen.
What hormones cause lactation?
An imbalance of the hormones progesterone and prolactin is another cause of lactation. Progesterone is the hormone that causes pregnancy symptoms and prolactin is the hormone that causes lactation, or milk production.
Is a feline reproductive process different from a human?
The feline reproductive process is slightly different than that of humans. It depends more on the act of mating itself. Like humans, though, hormonal imbalances can be one of multiple potential causes.
Can cats produce milk?
Cats with hypothyroidism may also experience false pregnancy and produce milk. In this case, it is caused by diverse blood changes. However, this is rare. Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines.
Can a cat be spayed?
Being Spayed. For some cats, being spayed can be the cause of false pregnancy and milk production. According to WebMD Pets, some have experienced this condition 3 to 4 days after the removal of the uterus and ovaries.
Can a male cat have a false pregnancy?
Mating with an Infertile Male. False pregnancy can also result from mating with an infertile tom, or male cat. As previously mentioned, the act of mating is what normally causes females to ovulate. If a female mates with an infertile male, an egg is released but never fertilized. The release of the egg causes the female's body to react ...
Do cats ovulate when they are not mated?
Unlike humans, cats normally do not ovulate until they are actually in the process of mating. According to the Cat Health Guide, approximately 30 to 35 percent of queens, or unspayed female cats, ovulate even when they have not mated. This will cause symptoms of pregnancy, including milk production.
Why do cats stand with their feet wide apart?
... Cats may stand with their feet wide apart in an effort to stay upright. During birth, your queen will "cry" and sound distressed, which is completely normal.
Can you give a cat regular milk?
You have to feed the kitten formula made for kittens. You can buy this in pet stores or at the vet. Don’t give it regular milk (cat’s are lactos e intolerant). If the pet store is closed, you can make an emergency milk substitute, but buy the proper kind asap. These substitutes don’t have enough nourishment.
How long has a cat been producing milk?
The mother cat’s body has been producing milk continuously for about a month now, but it is also about to slow down. Since the kittens are starting to wean off their mother’s milk at this time, less milk will be needed.
How long does it take for a kitten to leave its mother?
Over the course of the next 6 weeks, the kittens will slowly eat more kitten food and nurse less. The kitten food will go from a liquid to a watered-down canned food, to regular canned food, then moistened kitten kibble, and finally hard kibble during the weaning time until it is ready to leave its mother at 12 weeks of age .
How many kittens does a cat have?
Cats typically have about five kittens per litter but if a cat has an exceptionally large litter it may need supplemental nutrition in order to help its body produce enough milk for its young. If you are concerned about the nutritional needs of a mother cat, discuss what you can do with your vet.
Why are my cat's teats red?
Problems After Lactation. If your mother cat's teats have remained large, red, and swollen after a week of not nursing, you should have your veterinarian take a look at them. Mastitis is a serious and painful condition if left untreated and may require medications.
Why do kittens have an appetite?
Their appetite will increase during pregnancy to help provide the extra nutrition that their bodies need to produce milk. Once they give birth, the kittens will need to receive the first milk that the mother cat produces called colostrum.
How long can a cat be pregnant?
Cats can get pregnant before they are a year of age and are pregnant for about two months. Lactation will begin when they are about to give birth. Cats usually have eight teats and they will all produce milk.
How long does it take for milk to dry up?
The milk should be completely dried up after a couple of weeks but this is a gradual process. The teats will still be swollen initially and produce milk. Then the milk will stop coming, the swelling will decrease, and after one to two weeks, the mammary glands should no longer be swollen under the teats.
