Mastitis In Cats refers to the inflammation of a mammary gland, most often triggered by a bacterial infection. While cats typically have eight mammary glands, mastitis can affect just one or multiple glands simultaneously. Although not a common condition in felines, mastitis predominantly occurs in female cats that are currently nursing kittens or have recently weaned them. Left untreated, mastitis can escalate into a severe and even life-threatening condition for cats. Fortunately, with timely diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment, most cats respond positively and recover swiftly.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Mastitis in Cats
Inflamed mammary glands exhibit several noticeable signs, including:
- Elevated Temperature: The affected gland will feel warmer than the surrounding tissue upon touch.
- Visible Redness: The skin over the gland may appear reddened or flushed.
- Swelling: The gland will be noticeably enlarged or distended.
- Increased Firmness: The gland will feel harder or more solid compared to its normal consistency.
- Pain Upon Touch: The cat may exhibit signs of discomfort or pain when the gland is palpated.
Furthermore, the milk secreted from the nipple of an infected gland can present abnormalities: it may be unusually thick, discolored, and contain visible traces of blood or pus. In severe instances, the skin covering the gland can deteriorate, becoming dark and ulcerated, indicating an open sore. If the infection leads to an abscess formation—a localized pocket of pus—it may rupture, resulting in drainage of blood and pus from a wound on the skin surface.
Initially, a cat with mastitis might not display obvious signs of illness. However, systemic infection symptoms often emerge as the condition progresses. These can include:
- Fever: An elevated body temperature.
- Lethargy: Unusual drowsiness, sluggishness, or reduced activity levels.
- Loss of Appetite: A decreased desire to eat or complete refusal of food.
- Vomiting: Expulsion of stomach contents.
Given the painful nature of mastitis, affected cats may become reluctant to nurse their kittens. This can consequently lead to inadequate weight gain and nutritional deficiencies in the kittens.
Identifying the Causes of Mastitis in Cats
The majority of mastitis cases in cats are a result of environmental bacteria ascending through the teat canal and establishing an infection within the mammary gland. Certain predisposing factors can increase the likelihood of this occurring:
- Unsanitary Environment: Living in damp and unclean surroundings significantly elevates the bacterial load, thereby increasing the risk of infection. Maintaining a clean, dry environment for nursing cats is crucial in mastitis prevention.
- Physical Trauma: Injury to a teat or other parts of the mammary gland can compromise the skin barrier and provide bacteria with an entry point into deeper tissues.
- Milk Stasis: The natural flow of milk through the mammary gland serves to flush out bacteria and prevent infection. When milk accumulates within the glands (galactostasis), it can happen if kittens are abruptly weaned or due to anatomical irregularities hindering milk flow. This stagnant milk can become a breeding ground for bacteria.
- Mammary Hyperplasia: This condition, also known as feline mammary hypertrophy or fibroadenomatous hyperplasia, can sometimes be mistaken for or predispose a cat to mastitis. Following ovulation, whether pregnancy occurs or not, a cat’s ovaries produce progesterone. In some instances, this hormonal response leads to an abnormal enlargement of the mammary glands. The stretched skin covering these enlarged glands can become vulnerable to damage and secondary bacterial infections.
- Mammary Cancer: Infections can develop within and around mammary tumors if a cat has mammary gland cancer. These tumors can disrupt normal tissue integrity and create environments conducive to bacterial growth.
Alt text: A mother cat attentively nursing her litter of kittens, highlighting the context where mastitis is most commonly observed.
Veterinary Diagnosis of Mastitis in Cats
Veterinarians typically diagnose mastitis based on the clinical presentation of infection signs in one or more mammary glands of a cat who is currently or recently nursing kittens. To confirm the infection, a microscopic examination of a milk sample may be performed.
However, to ensure effective treatment, identifying the specific bacteria involved and determining their susceptibility to various antibiotics is crucial. A culture and sensitivity test, conducted on a milk sample, provides this essential information. Bloodwork may also be necessary to assess the cat’s overall health status and the severity of the infection’s systemic impact. In some cases, tissue biopsies might be recommended to rule out other underlying conditions, especially if mammary tumors are suspected.
Antibiotics, the primary treatment for bacterial mastitis, are prescription-only medications, necessitating a veterinary consultation. A common concern for pet owners is managing a mother cat and her litter during veterinary visits. Whether to separate them or bring them all to the clinic depends on several factors, including the mother’s illness severity, kitten age, separation duration, and transportation logistics.
It’s best to discuss these concerns with your veterinarian when scheduling the appointment. Inquire about the possibility of a house call or a referral to a veterinarian who offers home visits, as this can be an ideal solution in such situations, minimizing stress for both the mother cat and her kittens.
Treatment Strategies for Mastitis in Cats
Initially, a veterinarian will prescribe a broad-spectrum antibiotic based on the clinical picture and common bacterial culprits in mastitis cases. This initial antibiotic choice may be adjusted once the results of the milk culture and sensitivity test become available, ensuring the most effective antibiotic is used against the specific bacteria identified.
Commonly prescribed antibiotics for feline mastitis include:
- Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
- Clindamycin
- Amoxicillin
- Amoxicillin-clavulanate
- Cephalexin
- Cefoxitin
In addition to antibiotics, pain management is a crucial component of treatment. Pain relievers such as buprenorphine may be administered to alleviate discomfort. Supportive care, including fluid therapy or nutritional support, may also be necessary, particularly in systemically ill cats. In severe cases, such as those involving a large, ruptured abscess with extensive tissue damage, surgical intervention to remove the affected tissues might be required.
A frequent question is whether kittens should continue nursing after the mother cat is diagnosed with mastitis. If the kittens are nearing weaning age, it might be advisable to proceed with weaning. However, if they are still very young and dependent on nursing, allowing them to continue nursing can, in some cases, be beneficial. Nursing helps to maintain milk flow and can aid in flushing bacteria out of the mammary glands. This approach is only appropriate if the mother is not severely ill, is willing to allow nursing, and is receiving antibiotic treatment that is safe for the kittens. Your veterinarian will provide guidance on the best course of action based on the specific circumstances.
Recovery and Ongoing Management of Mastitis in Cats
Unless surgical intervention or intensive care is needed, mastitis treatment can typically be managed at home. Your veterinarian will provide detailed instructions on administering prescribed medications and any other recommended treatments. Applying warm or cool compresses to the affected glands can help to reduce swelling and alleviate discomfort. Some studies even suggest that applying cabbage leaves can offer relief from inflammation and swelling.
Alt text: A close-up view of a cat’s nipple, illustrating a specific area of concern when monitoring for signs of mastitis.
In most instances, cats with mastitis will require antibiotic treatment for a duration of two to three weeks. Noticeable improvement in their condition should be observed within a few days of commencing treatment. It’s crucial to contact your veterinarian if there is no improvement or if your cat’s condition deteriorates at any point during treatment.
Following recovery from mastitis, it’s prudent to consider spaying your cat. Spaying is the most effective preventative measure against mastitis, as the majority of cases are linked to lactation and the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy and nursing.
Mastitis in Cats: Addressing Common Questions
Why are my spayed cat’s nipples swollen?
In spayed cats, nipples are typically small and remain relatively consistent in size. Swollen nipples in a spayed cat warrant veterinary examination. Potential causes include residual ovarian tissue remaining after spaying, exposure to exogenous hormones through medications, hormone-producing tumors, or mammary cancer.
What does it mean if my cat’s nipple is bleeding?
Bleeding from a nipple can indicate trauma, mastitis, mammary cancer, or other potentially serious underlying health issues. Unless the cause is clearly minor and easily managed at home, such as a superficial abrasion, a cat with a bleeding nipple should be promptly evaluated by a veterinarian.
References
Abramowitz C, Deutch A, Shamsian E, Musheyev Y, Ftiha F, Burnstein S. Red Cabbage: A Novel Treatment for Periductal Lactational Mastitis. Cureus. 2022;14(12):e33191.
WRITTEN BY
Jennifer Coates, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Jennifer Coates is a highly experienced veterinarian, writer, editor, and consultant, bringing extensive expertise to the field of veterinary medicine.
