hi there,
This is my first post so go easy on me LOL.
Tonight I took in a queen who is about 8months old and her kitten which is 7weeks old.
Obviously the kit isnot suckling at all (not expecting it to at this age) but mums nipples are very large and engorged.
Now my main concern is could she be pregnant? Previous owner said she hadn't been outside since having her litter but I can't be sure of that.
Now I have seen a queen feeding a litter and don't remember her nipples being this engorged. If she is not pregnant when would they go down?
I'm gonna have to book her in to be spayed asap as having a litter at this age makes me cringe.
Info and advice more than welcome.
Many thanks

Her nipples will still be engorged by the milk, kittens will suckle for as long as she lets them so it may be that this kitten IS still suckling. It takes around a week for the milk to dry up once there is no suckling.

Of course this doesn't meant that she isn't pregnant so you'll need to check with the vet.

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She's probably just producing far more milk than is needed by the single kitten.

Liz

hey thanks for reply. Kitten deffo not suckling anymore it might just be that as she is a baby herself it looks more engorged. I'll see what happens over next few days then take her for a check up if I'm concerned.

The feeding should be stopped gradually so that the teats don't get engorged. So that means she still must be letting the kitten feed if they are still full. My dog fed her pups every 2 hours then every 4 hours. They went all night without and you could see her teats skrinking gradually. They are now not feeding at all and the teats have shrivelled with no engorging. Watch the kitten as it might be sneaking a sly suckle when mum is sleeping..lol

well mummy kit spent all night under the bed n little kit spent all night on my pillow very certain she isn't suckling.

kyj i would agree that the kitten wont be suckling much....

BUT having brought up many many litters if there is milk to be had the kittens will go for it, and a feed at 7weeks old takes literally seconds lol! Ive known 16 week old kits trying to feed when given the chance and if mum lets them! Without watching them ALL the time they will sneak a feed when they get the chance .

Its normal for a queen to have engorged boobs if the litter is small, but they shouldnt feet hot to the touch or hard and lumpy. There should also be no funny smells from them. If any of those signs are there she could have mastitis and would need checking out at the vets.

I would be astounded if the kitten is not suckling at all.

Liz

I agree that you should check her for mastitis. When my dog had pups one of them passed away during birth but mum still produced milk for 7 pups. As the pups seemed to avoid the extra teat she developed mastitis in it....have you taken her to the vet since you had her and kitten for check up??

tHanks for all the replies. No they havnt been to vet only had them since last night. She hasn't got mastitis n no signs of infection. She is very happy to be cuddled n have her tummy rubbed, the little one must still be feeding I just know he didn't for 10 hours.
It's most likely because yesturday she would have had 3 kittens suckling n now only one.
It's me just over reacting I couldn't cope thinking she would be pregnant again when she's only a baby herself.
Thanks again