Is my not-pregnant cat lactating??

[Meowmie]

Also, the best protection against breast cancer is having the cat spayed before she goes into heat for the first time.

[Meowmie]

Quick info about false pregnancy:

http://www.hdw-inc.com/fertilityfemale.htm

What happens during a false pregnancy? Certain actions of progesterone can cause very similar changes in the queen to those which occur in normal pregnancies. The act of mating causes the stimulation of progesterone and voila! We have what appears to be a pregnant queen. In a normal pregnancy, the eggs are fertilized in the oviduct and at about 4 to 5 days after mating, they arrive in the uterus. Implantation does not begin until about 14 days after mating. At about 20 days into the pregnancy, some experienced veterinarians can "palpate" the queen's abdomen and detect the fetuses which are by that time about the size of medium peas. The best time to try to palpate a queen though is at about 4 to 6 weeks into the pregnancy, at which time the fetuses are anywhere from the size of walnuts to small eggs. In a false pregnancy, the progesterone levels are about the same, and the queen will also go through the phenomena referred to as "pinking up" at about 3 to 4 weeks after the mating, when her teats show a marked reddening and an increase in size and swelling. The progesterone also causes fat deposits and water retention which can cause considerable enlargement of the abdomen, which also mimics a true pregnancy. Usually, a false pregnancy lasts from 3 to 7 weeks, and most often ends with the queen coming back in season and beginning to show the signs of being in heat, calling for a mate, etc. Most false pregnancies do not cause the queen to have milk production or secretion, and most queens can be bred again after they complete their false pregnancy. If the cause of the sterility is not yet known, it is probably wise to try breeding this queen to a different tom cat, to see if this makes a positive difference (hopefully it will) in the outcome of her mating and pregnancy.

[Meaile]

Well, I read everything I possible could about False Pregnancy, Mastitis and Lobular Hyperplasia. Scary indeed

I called all 3 Vets here in town. Her Vets office was very snotty and wouldn't allow me to talk with anyone. The other two places allowed me to talk with a Vet.

I explained everything to each Vet and they asked me questions and such. The Second Vet talked with me for quite some time and both of them said this was very common with un-spayed cats, most likely a false or pseudo pregnancy, and to keep an eye on her for any redness or tenderness and that I should get her "fixed".

I made an appointment at the place that spoke to me longest. $50.00 as long as there are no complications and they let her come home the same day . I was also told that I can come in for free the next day if I think that she needs something for the pain.

So, after many tears and much information, Alice is most likely fine and I got a better Vet.

Here is Pinky & Alice

[Meowmie]

Adorable little babies!

and that I should get her "fixed".

YES!!! PLEASE don't wait with this, have her spayed as soon as they can do the surgery.

[emma_pen]

That picture is so adorable! Good luck with Alice!