Bumps Under Nipples Of 5 Month-old Female Kitten

Hi guys,

I'd like some help with a strange new thing going on with my female kitten who is 5 months old. I noticed a few days ago that she had a singular pea-sized lump under each of her nipples, as if they are swollen from underneath. The nipples themselves don't look particularly enlarged or pink (maybe just slightly?) but overall not that noticeable.

I have two sibling cats, a male and a female. The male was neutered a few weeks ago when he was 4.5 months old. I would be horrified to think that she is pregnant but that seems to be the only conclusion when googling this issue. I don't think it is possible that the male could have successfully mated and impregnated her at 4 months old, could it? I have not observed any typical mating behavior from either of them whatsoever.

Is there a logical explanation aside from pregnancy? She isn't showing any of the signs of going into a heat cycle, although I read that females can start as early as 4 months. My vet wanted to wait to spay/neuter both of them until 6 months but I was scared so got the male neutered at 4.5, thinking that was a safe margin! Any and all advice/insights would be super helpful. Thanks!

freddie.and.ramona said:

Hi guys,

I'd like some help with a strange new thing going on with my female kitten who is 5 months old. I noticed a few days ago that she had a singular pea-sized lump under each of her nipples, as if they are swollen from underneath. The nipples themselves don't look particularly enlarged or pink (maybe just slightly?) but overall not that noticeable.

I have two sibling cats, a male and a female. The male was neutered a few weeks ago when he was 4.5 months old. I would be horrified to think that she is pregnant but that seems to be the only conclusion when googling this issue. I don't think it is possible that the male could have successfully mated and impregnated her at 4 months old, could it? I have not observed any typical mating behavior from either of them whatsoever.

Is there a logical explanation aside from pregnancy? She isn't showing any of the signs of going into a heat cycle, although I read that females can start as early as 4 months. My vet wanted to wait to spay/neuter both of them until 6 months but I was scared so got the male neutered at 4.5, thinking that was a safe margin! Any and all advice/insights would be super helpful. Thanks!

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I'd also like to add that I have scheduled her spay surgery to be two weeks from now! (earliest they could do it)

It really seems like a pregnancy. The only other thing I could think of is mammary gland tumors, but that wouldn’t happen in every mammary gland all at once. Cats can get pregnant as young as 4 months.

I’m not sure why your vet suggested spaying at 6 months old. I get my foster kittens spayed at 2 months! So don’t worry about complications. Thanks for spaying!!

lacy2000 said:

It really seems like a pregnancy. The only other thing I could think of is mammary gland tumors, but that wouldn’t happen in every mammary gland all at once. Cats can get pregnant as young as 4 months.

I’m not sure why your vet suggested spaying at 6 months old. I get my foster kittens spayed at 2 months! So don’t worry about complications. Thanks for spaying!!

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I'm not sure why they suggested 6 months either to be honest.

It seems so unlikely that she got pregnant, as we got her (and her brother) when they were less than 3 months old and they are strictly indoor cats. We live on the third floor and there's no way she snuck out. Can a 4 month old male kitten really sire kittens?

Yes males can become sexually mature at 4-6 months old. It’s not that common for males to become mature at 4 months old, but it can happen. He probably got her pregnant if that’s what it is. Animals don’t care about whether they are family and wil mate with siblings, parents, etc.

I'm wondering if your kitten was pregnant or what ended up happening... My 4 mo old kitten has pea sized lumps under her two lowermost nipples. Again, not visible. You can only tell they're there by touch. I noticed the first yesterday and the second today. So far, the others are normal. Also, no pain. Moxxi is very vocal if she doesn't like something and she didn't object to me pinching the bumps rather hard.

We adopted a male kitten a month ago. He was supposed to be neutered and we have not noticed them behaving sexually either. I also have not noticed her in heat... I'm really confused.

Hello, so what it ended up being the issue?

Bonnie- Bonita said:

Hello, so what it ended up being the issue?

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Hi! This was years ago now so it's fuzzy but she was spayed 2 weeks after I made this post and they didn't mention anything about her being pregnant or anything during the surgery. She recovered just fine and has never had this issue since. I do remember she was showing some signs of going into a heat cycle (yowling, sticking her butt up in the air, rubbing on stuff excessively, etc) right before her surgery so my guess was that she may have gotten swelling because of that. But who knows! She is a happy and healthy 6 year old now Hopefully this is helpful!

thank you so much for replying to promptly. I am taking mine to the vet today. But got so nervous because another vet told me this kitten was a HE. But I think it’s a she. 4.5months old. Very active and happy and has these bumps on three of her lower nipples. I hope she is just in heat. She doesn’t show signs of rubbing but she is definitely very energetic