# My Male Neutered Cat is Lactating **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 23, 2016, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-male-neutered-cat-is-lactating/760645 "2016-07-23T01:21:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2016, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-male-neutered-cat-is-lactating/760645/1 "2016-07-23T01:21:25Z")
Very strange, called the vet going for an appointment in a couple of day. They don’t think its an emergency, but I going to keep an eye on him. Very strange indeed, perhaps these are the end of days. ---
**Author:** ![pythonzzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9e8a1a/32.png) [@pythonzzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pythonzzz)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2016, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-male-neutered-cat-is-lactating/760645/2 "2016-07-23T02:01:46Z")
Possibly a draining abscess? ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2016, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-male-neutered-cat-is-lactating/760645/3 "2016-07-23T02:47:51Z")
My Tuxedo was scrawny and parasite-ridden when I took him in, and a few months later, I noticed that his two hind breasts were swollen. All kinds of nightmare scenarios went through my mind, because after all, what could cause breast enlargement in a neutered male cat? The vet charged me $18 to tell me that he was overweight. :smack: Chingon, what makes you think your cat is lactating? Is it one breast, or all 8 or 10? ---
**Author:** ![pythonzzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9e8a1a/32.png) [@pythonzzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pythonzzz)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2016, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-male-neutered-cat-is-lactating/760645/4 "2016-07-23T03:09:11Z")
> [@pythonzzz](#): > > Possibly a draining abscess? Also there’s potential for Cutarebra(bot fly). Youtube if you dare… ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2016, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-male-neutered-cat-is-lactating/760645/5 "2016-07-23T03:12:54Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > The vet charged me $18 to tell me that he was overweight. Where the hell did you find a vet consult for $18 in this day and age? ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2016, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-male-neutered-cat-is-lactating/760645/6 "2016-07-23T03:16:07Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Where the hell did you find a vet consult for $18 in this day and age? This was around 2000. ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2016, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-male-neutered-cat-is-lactating/760645/7 "2016-07-23T04:05:25Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > My Tuxedo was scrawny and parasite-ridden when I took him in, and a few months later, I noticed that his two hind breasts were swollen. All kinds of nightmare scenarios went through my mind, because after all, what could cause breast enlargement in a neutered male cat? > > The vet charged me $18 to tell me that he was overweight. > > :smack: > > Chingon, what makes you think your cat is lactating? Is it one breast, or all 8 or 10? Not all of them, just one side and a couple at most, but very active. He gets very wet. Its almost certainly milk and not an abcess (not puss no strong smell). 100% indoor cat. We called the University vet emergency line and they said its not an emergency, and we should wait to see the vet. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2016, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-male-neutered-cat-is-lactating/760645/8 "2016-07-23T06:50:05Z")
[Galactorrhea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galactorrhea), spontaneous lactation, is possible in male mammals under certain circumstances, almost none of them good. There is some indication that physical stimulation of the nipple can result in [prolactin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prolactin) secretion from the pituitary gland which prompts lactation. This seems a rather mild and likely cause if the OP’s cat repeatedly licks the nipple area in grooming. Other possible causes include thyroid imbalances, pituitary tumor, or if kitty is getting some anti-psychotics from the medicine cabinet! ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2016, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-male-neutered-cat-is-lactating/760645/9 "2016-07-23T23:29:02Z")
Update: Took him to the emergency vet. It’s not an abscess, but it’s not milk either. They are pretty mystified, but I believe they said it was lymphatic fluid. Its seeping through his pores maybe? His blood work is fine, white blood cells look good, no temperature, so probably not an infection. They say he’s healthy (other than the seeping of course). It has the University vet med school stumped so far, they want to see him again Monday. Having a skin punch biopsy done soon. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2016, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-male-neutered-cat-is-lactating/760645/10 "2016-07-24T00:33:51Z")
> [@Chingon](#): > > …It’s not an abscess… So he’s not a pussy cat. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2016, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-male-neutered-cat-is-lactating/760645/11 "2016-07-24T02:34:21Z")
Did they check for estrogen? AIUI, given enough of the right hormones, both sexes can lactate. Which explains why men can get breast cancer. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2016, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-male-neutered-cat-is-lactating/760645/12 "2016-07-24T05:25:08Z")
> [@usedtobe](#): > > Did they check for estrogen? AIUI, given enough of the right hormones, both sexes can lactate. > > Which explains why men can get breast cancer. I feared that Tuxedo had an estrogen-secreting adrenal tumor. He didn’t. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2016, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-male-neutered-cat-is-lactating/760645/13 "2016-07-25T21:24:17Z")
Am I the only one thinking that there is probably a market for male cat cheese? Purrmasan, maybe? ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2016, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-male-neutered-cat-is-lactating/760645/14 "2016-08-05T14:56:56Z")
Update: So its probably lymphangiosarcoma. It just happened so quickly. It seems that the best we can do is make the rest of his time as good as possible. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2016, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-male-neutered-cat-is-lactating/760645/15 "2016-08-05T18:01:42Z")
It’s so rare. Was it biopsied? I’m so sorry. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2016, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-male-neutered-cat-is-lactating/760645/16 "2016-08-05T18:06:59Z")
Yeah biopsied. Had a lot of pathologists looking over it. We’re waiting to see if oncology has any suggestions, but we know the chances are very very slim. Even if there was something to try i don’t think i want to put him through all of that. Hes just so very tired. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2016, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-male-neutered-cat-is-lactating/760645/17 "2016-08-05T18:47:41Z")
> [@Chingon](#): > > Update: > So its probably lymphangiosarcoma. It just happened so quickly. It seems that the best we can do is make the rest of his time as good as possible. ☹ Many hugs to you and your beloved cat. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2016, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-male-neutered-cat-is-lactating/760645/18 "2016-08-05T20:19:07Z")
Poor kitty. I’m sorry you’re both going through this.