Hi I have a 8 yr.old D.S.H. Cat,Inoticed tonight she was lactating.She was in heat about two weeks ago.I got back fr a two week house sitting trip,she was left at home w/ my mom,sister & our neutered Maine Coon cat and my spayed spaniel. She isn't spayed, obviosly.I felt her tummy and I felt what is either swollen mammary glands or maybe a kitten or two. She hasn't been outside.My male cat is neutered and I know both of his little fellas (testicles) were removed well over a year and a half ago.What is more likely?Pregnancy/pseudo pregnancy or swollen glands?Could it be something else?She's produced milk before with out pregnancy.My sisters new dog went in to heat two weeks ago right before she got spayed.Shes still bleeding a little.Could it be their hormones?

We have cat experts and a retired vet on this site who will give you a more professional opinion than mine. I'm guessing it's a false pregnancy (unless she really did get out and no one is admitting it).

Now, why isn't she spayed? She's vulnerable to a host of health problems.

Cats don't go through the 'normal' seasonal reproductive cycles as dogs do. They usually stay in their 'season' until they are bred, or go out after a couple weeks only to come back in shortly thereafter.

Pseudopregnancy in a cat is not usually noticeable, as it is with dogs, but does happen. It could have been a real pregnancy before, only she miscarried, not aborted but simply reabsorbed the embryos.

Also, because of this different reproductive cycle, cats are much less prone to developing pyometra, or infection of the uterus.

Lactation is a function of the hormonal changes accompanying pregnancy (or canine pseudopregnancy), so based on this paucity of evidence, she may be pregnant, and about to deliver? An X-ray, or about another weeks passage of time should be more conclusive of that. Cats in season are notorious adept at getting out of the house, and there is usually a Tom, ready, willing, and available, just outside the door. Wham - Bam - game over.

Finally, can't let this pass... mammary gland problems. Mammary tumors are a possibility, especially in an older, intact (unspayed) female. The discharge you are calling 'lactation', may be an abnormal secretion of a tumorous mammary gland. Generally, mammary tumors are firm, irregularly shaped and rough, not smooth to the feel. Mammary infections (mastitis) are normally associated with lactation, but should be considered as well, based on an unsubstantiated opinion (guess?) without the opportunity to actually see and feel.

General summary of suggestions: take her to the vet for a better evaluation, and maybe a preop exam? All the health reasons of spaying are way out dated now, but repeated problems such as this can be eliminated, or greatly diminished.