Mastitis in Cats - Symptoms and Treatment
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A home is rarely as full of tenderness as when a cat has given birth to her litter and is caring for her kittens. The mother's lactation and attention will be hugely important during the first three weeks for the proper development of the kittens. The owner also needs to pay close attention to the mother in order to keep her in a good state of health and meet her requirements.
Some common health problems can arise after a cat's pregnancy - in the postpartum period - and it's important that the owner is informed about them in order to detect any disorder as soon as possible, because treating the condition in time is hugely important for the cat's recovery.
In this AnimalWised article, we will tell you about the symptoms and treatment of mastitis in cats.
What is mastitis?
Mastitis is defined as an inflammation of the mammary glands, with the number of affected glands varying from case to case. While this is a common problem during the postpartum period, it can arise for other reasons. In addition to hormonal changes after birth, physical trauma to the mammary glands or inadequate nutrition can also contribute to the onset of this condition.
The death of a kitten, an abrupt weaning, lack of hygiene or the suction of the kittens themselves are among the factors which may predispose the onset of mastitis. Furthermore, environmental stressors such as noise and overcrowding may exacerbate the situation, putting additional strain on the mother cat.
Mastitis is sometimes more than a simple inflammation; it can also entail an infection. In this case, the bacteria that most commonly affect cats are E. coli, staphylococci, streptococci and enterococci. The infection usually starts at the nipple and rises to the mammary glands. The mastitis can range from mild inflammation that barely presents any symptoms to a severe infection with gangrene, that is, the death of tissue owing to a lack of blood supply. In severe cases, the infection can become systemic, affecting the overall health of the cat and requiring urgent medical intervention.
Symptoms of mastitis in cats
The symptoms of mastitis in cats are highly varied, depending on how serious it is. However, the following signs can be present in all cases:
- The litter doesn't put on enough weight, the usual rate being 5% of birth weight per day
- The cat doesn't want to suckle her kittens
- Moderate swelling of the glands, which appear to be hard, painful and sometimes ulcerated
- Formation of abscesses or gangrene
- Mammary discharges of blood or pus
- Milk of increased viscosity
- Anorexia
- Fever
- Vomiting
If you spot some of these symptoms in your cat you should go to the vet urgently, because mastitis can be very serious for both the mother and her kittens. Additionally, some cats may exhibit lethargy and a noticeable decrease in activity levels, which can be a subtle but important sign for concerned pet owners to recognize.
Diagnosis of mastitis
In order to diagnose mastitis, the vet will consider the pet's symptoms and complete medical background. However, the following diagnostic tests can also be performed:
- Cytology (cell study) of the mammary secretion.
- Collection of milk samples.
- Blood analysis; in the case of infection a rise in white blood cells will be noticeable, and in case of gangrene there will be platelet alteration.
- Ultrasound examination to assess the extent and nature of the mammary gland involvement.
These diagnostic approaches help to determine the exact nature of the mastitis, ensuring the most effective treatment plan is implemented. It should be noted that early detection and intervention are crucial in preventing the progression of the disease.
Treatment of mastitis
Treating mastitis properly doesn't entail interrupting the kittens' lactation, which should last for at least 8 to 12 weeks. In fact, weaning is only reserved for those cases in which abscess or gangrenous mastitis are forming. Ensuring the kittens continue to nurse helps in the natural drainage of the mammary glands, which can be beneficial in mild cases of mastitis.
Continuing with the lactation will aid the drainage of the breasts, and despite the fact that the milk will be poorer and contaminated by antibiotics, this will not pose a threat for the kittens. Additionally, applying warm compresses to the affected area can help alleviate discomfort and promote healing.
The vet will choose a broad-spectrum antibiotic to carry out the treatment, with the most common being the following:
- Amoxicillin
- Amoxicillin Clavulanic Acid
- Cephalexin
- Cefoxitin
Treatment will last approximately 2-3 weeks and you can carry it out at home, except for those cases where there is a widespread infection or sepsis. In such cases, hospitalization might be necessary to provide intensive care and monitoring.
In the case of gangrenous mastitis, you can resort to surgery to remove the necrotic tissue. The prognosis is good in most cases. However, post-surgical care is essential to ensure proper recovery and to prevent any recurrence of the condition.
This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to Mastitis in Cats - Symptoms and Treatment, we recommend you visit our Pregnancy problems category.
