If I remember my anatomy correctly, having the uterus and ovaries
removed might stop milk production.

The ovaries produce estrogen which plays a huge part in mammary
development.  On the other hand, prolactin and oxytocin are needed for
milk letdown and production, but I believe those are secreted by the
pituitary gland.

It sounds like it might affect it, but I might be wrong.  I've have to
ask at work on Friday.

Can't wait for pictures

take care,

kristi

Not sure about the two who died. It's sad, but I'm glad at least one kitten
made it. As I didn't realize she was pregnant until just before delivery, I
did use Advantage on her a few weeks ago, alas. And she'd been treated with
Advantage just after she was picked up, too.  That may have been what caused
the deaths. This is still a very young mother, and the babies arrived well
ahead of schedule, if, as the emergency vet on Sunday night thinks, she was
impregnated in early May, just before the Humane Society picked her up.  In
the event, she was very lucky to get caught, and taken to a safe place where
she was fed regularly. At that point, it was too early in the gestation for
anyone to realize she was pregnant, and Cesca couldn't tell anyone about it.
=o\

She was spayed as well as C-sectioned. I think the vet would have probably
waited to spay her if that interfered with her milk production.  He's been
in business for many years, so I trust he knew what he was doing.  This way,
Cesca only had to go through surgery once.   I've been keeping a close
watch, and I've seen the kitten nursing  several times, today.  Cesca
certainly LOOKS equipped to feed a kitten.  I've been giving her several
small meals every few hours, as that seems to be what she wants.  T.K. as I
call the kitten is a spunky little mite.  S/he has made several exploratory
circuits around the box s/he shares with Mama rather than just lying
passively on the blanket--not bad for a blind newborn.  If the kitten wasn't
any getting nourishment it would show up fast.  I am rather more sanguine
about the kitten's chances as of tonight, given Cesca's strong maternal
instinct. It's tiny little cries seem at least as strong to me as they were
yesterday, but keep the purrs coming.

For those of you who asked for pictures, I don't have any, yet.  For one
thing, Cesca is not crazy about the camera, and I think she's had enough
stress for the moment.  But fear not, the kitten's progress will be
documented to the best of my ability  =o) I just have a very basic,
idiot-proof point and shooter camera that doesn't always work. I'm also one
of those neanderthals who doesn't own a digital camera.

Melissa

I've had as many as 17 at once. I'm a cat addict. Soon I will be back up to
six.... Thanks to Sherry!