Cats with Mastitis: Symptoms & Treatment Guide

(1) Neonatal LactationInduced Injury: Around the age of two months after birth, kittens' milk teeth begin to grow in, making them more prone to causing trauma and infections on the nipples as they nurse. Additionally, kittens with unevenly erupted milk teeth may also cause nipple trauma due to their strong suction while nursing.

(2) Mammary Gland Trauma: During a fight, a kitten might sustain abdominal injuries that could lead to cuts on the mammary glands. Although these might be superficial, the kitten's nursing can exacerbate the risk of infection at the wound site.

(3) Lactation Stasis: Milk accumulation and congestion within the mammary glands can result in breast tenderness, hardness, swelling, and pain.

Symptoms and Treatment of Mammary Mastitis

Symptoms of Mammary Mastitis: The affected glands become hot, firm, swollen, and painful. Milk may appear thin with clots or blood. Cats with mammary mastitis often exhibit symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, and dehydration.

Treatment Methods:

① Isolation of kittens and artificial feeding are typically recommended;

② Frequent hot compresses should be applied to the mammary glands to reduce swelling and pain;

③ In severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary, including incision and drainage of pus (if the mastitis is due to a kitten not weaning despite the growth of milk teeth, forced weaning of the kitten may be required).