My cat has a lump 6 weeks after giving birth. Is it a kitten?

Congratulations on the kittens. If Fluffu did not have an xray to determine the amount of kittens prior to labor (which I assume based on your question that she did not) then it is hard to say for certain about what you are feeling. The "hard lump" could be her uterus not yet contracted down to a small size, her mammary glands (those are outside the abdomen but you may still be feeling them as the "hard lump"), another kitten, or simply a full stomach. Hopefully there is not another kitten in there at this point since she is finished with labor. You can monitor and watch her closely and continue to feel the "hard lump", but if you are pretty suspicious about the possibility of another kitten the safest thing to do is to have a veterinarian examine her. The doctor may be able to tell just on physical exam what the hard lump is or can take an xray for definitive diagnosis of knowing if there is another kitten in there. This would be the best and safest thing to do for Fluffu. Thank you for reaching out and best of luck to the momma and her new babies!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Akina. The lumpy left side could be due to enlarged mammary glands to support feeding her kittens. I don't think it's due to a kitten that hasn't been born, but I can't say for certain without seeing her in person. Because her health is so important during this time, I'd take her and her kittens into the vet in the morning for a health check. I hope this helps!

This could be a swollen mammary gland that got very inflamed, it's quite common in lactating cats, you should get it checked by your vet as she may need to take anti inflammatories if it is bothering her.

Hello. I would not be too concerned. You are probably feeling the uterus as it is shrinking down, a process we call involution. As long as mom & the kittens are happy & content, then you can relax as well. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. This lump could be scar tissue and maybe due to a suture reaction from the stitches. This may also be a hernia but it is hard to tell. If it is firm, it is likely not a hernia and likely to be scar tissue. This is not contagious so I would not be concerned about transmission to your other cat. It would be best if a veterinarian examined this to ensure it is not a hernia. If it is scar tissue, it may reduce over time but could remain there for a long period of time if not forever. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

This looks swollen but it can be a normal reaction to the dissolvable sutures under the skin. If the hernia opened up the swelling would be able to be pushed into the abdomen. If the swelling is firm it’s most likely a suture reaction. Be patient. This should go down a little every day and it may take a week or two to get flat. If it’s not going down or you can push the swelling into the abdomen then please take her for a recheck. If she was too active the inside stitches may have broken and the inside incision opened up. Then it would need to be closed again. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Symphony.

This sounds like it is likely a seroma (a fluid pocket under the skin), or a tissue reaction to the suture material - both of these are quite common in cats after spay surgery, and should not cause any serious problems. Less commonly, the swelling could be caused by an infection or even a hernia. If Leia is acting normal (eating and drinking fine, playful, etc.), you can monitor the bump until it's time for her stitches to be removed. Applying a warm compress like a warm wet washcloth to the area 2-3 times a day can help the swelling to resolve faster, as well as restricting her activity as much as possible. If Leia is acting very lethargic or not eating, or if there is any bleeding or yellow-green discharge from the bump, these may be signs of infection - in that case, I would take her to the vet today for an exam and antibiotics or other medication if needed.