Mastitis in Cats
A bacterial infection of one or more lactating (milk producing) glands in the breasts, a condition referred to clinically as mastitis, is often the result of an ascending infection, trauma to the lactating gland, or an infection that has been spread through the blood stream.
Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococci, and β-hemolytic Streptococci are some of the main bacteria that are found to be most commonly involved. It is a potentially life-threatening infection, in some cases leading to septic shock, the direct effect of the mammary glands with systemic involvement.
This condition mainly affects postpartum queens, but rarely occurs in pseudopregnant lactating queens too.
Symptoms and Types
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Firm, swollen, warm, and painful mammary gland(s) from which purulent (pus-like) or hemorrhagic fluid can be expressed
- Neglect of kittens (typically due to pain when attempting to nurse)
- Failure of kittens to thrive
- Fever, dehydration, and septic shock with systemic involvement
- Abscesses or gangrene of gland(s), if left untreated
Causes
- Ascending infection via teat canals
- Trauma inflicted on the mammary glands by a kitten's toenails or teeth
- Poor hygiene
- Systemic infection originating elsewhere in the body
Diagnosis
You will need to give a thorough history of your cat's health, onset of symptoms, and possible incidents that might have led to this condition. A complete blood profile is then typically recommended, including a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, and a urinalysis.
If the infection is present, the milk is normally slightly more acidic than the serum is; it may also have increased alkalinity with infection. Neutrophils, macrophages, and other mononuclear cells can be normally observed in high numbers in normal milk; however, the presence of large numbers of free bacteria and degenerative neutrophils are noted with the presence of septic disease. A bacterial culture will be necessary for identifying the organism.
If there is cancer present in the breast, the affected glands will not produce milk. Differentiation between malignant and benign condition will be achieved with an examination and culture of the mother's milk.
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pus
A product made of fluid, cell waste, and cells
purulent
Anything that contains pus
prognosis
The prediction of a disease’s outcome in advance
sepsis
A medical condition; the contamination of a living thing by a harmful type of bacteria
systemic
Something that is related to the whole body and not just one particular part or organ
urinalysis
An in-depth examination of the properties of urine; used to determine the presence or absence of illness
teat
A nipple, as in on ruminants and equine animals
postpartum
The period that immediately comes after the birthing process
mammary glands
The glands in female animals that are used to produce milk; also called the udder or breast
gangrene
Necrosis of a body part that can be attributed to poor circulation
ducts
A passage in the body with walls
dehydration
A medical condition in which the body has lost fluid or water in excessive amounts
hemolytic
The removal and destruction of red blood cells
hypoglycemia
Low amounts of glucose in the blood
benign
Not being able to cause harm; the opposite of malignant.
malignant
Something that becomes worse or life threatening as it spreads
mastitis
An infection of the udder; may be infectious or not
Courtesy of petmd.com Original Article