Why does my nursing cat's nipple look dirty? Is it mastitis?

Hello, and thank you for your question. I would be worried about mastitis (mammary gland infection) based on your description. Are the kittens nursing from that nipple? I would try to encourage them to nurse from all mammary glands, and if the problematic one is not being emptied, you may need to gently express it every few hours to help it empty. Warm compresses may help with this as well. Sometimes it is a problem with the kittens not being able to find the nipple, so you could also try clipping the hair around the affected gland to make it more visible and easier for the kittens to reach. I hope this helps, and that mom feels better soon!

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. The symptoms of mastitis are enlarged, swollen, hot and painful mammary gland. The gland may be discharging normal milk but it may be yellow/green puss. Most of the cats with mastitis have fever and are very lethargic. They may vomit and reject the kittens. If Ayesha does have mastitis, she will need a course of antibiotics and painkillers to get better.

Hello, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. This mass looks pretty serious. Any type of color change, especially dark like this one, makes us suspicious of cancer. I suggest you take her to your vet for an exam. Likely this mass will need to be surgically removed and sent to a laboratory for histopathology testing. I don't mean to scare you but I don't think this is something to ignore. I hope this helps. Best wishes.

I'd be very concerned that Ginger could have mastitis, which is an infection of the mammary glands that can occur after kittens are weaned. Mastitis can be fatal without treatment, and it does require antibiotics. I would take her into a vet immediately for treatment. Best of luck.

HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Kiera! Blood could be from trauma. Mastitis is very painful and is an infection. The mammary gland is red, hard and painful. Pus can be detected from the nipple. I suggest and exam by your Vet first before starting any medications. We can not prescribe medications on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach because we can not perform and exam. An exam is required by law to have a valid Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship in order to prescribe medications. The gland should be expressed or still nursed from. Cephalexin doesn't hurt the puppies. I hope this helps and good luck!

It looks like KuKKu may have mastitis (an infection in the mammary glands). I suggest you have her checked by a vet. She will need treatment that you can't provide at home. Here is a link to an article about this issue in cats: ( https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/mastitis-in-cats ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do for Mami at home, she has to see a vet immediately. It sounds like she has mastitis, which is an infection of the mammary glands. Mastitis is life threatening and does require immediate medical attention. To treat it requires antibiotics, which can only be prescribed by your vet. The pus is not contagious, so you don't have to worry about your boys. Please take her into a vet now.