Symptoms of Feline Mastitis: What You Need to Know

Mastitis is an inflammatory condition that arises when the breast becomes infected with pathogenic microorganisms. Clinically, it is characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain in one or more breasts.

Causes:

Mastitis is caused by the invasion of pathogens such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Bacteroides, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and others into the breast tissue. These pathogens can enter through breast wounds or be transferred from other infected sites within the body. Milk stasis due to ductal obstruction during weaning or after weaning, which can be stimulated by milk retention, can also trigger mastitis.

Primary Symptoms:

Acute mastitis presents with swelling, congestion, and pain in the affected breast, along with enlarged breast lymph nodes. Milk production may decrease or cease entirely, and the mother cat may refuse to nurse her kittens due to pain. The milk may become thin and cloudy, containing clots. In cases of abscess formation, pus may be present in the milk, and sometimes, hemorrhagic inflammation can occur, leading to blood in the milk. Severe cases may be accompanied by systemic symptoms such as fever, reduced appetite, and depression. Chronic mastitis may not show significant systemic symptoms; instead, the affected breast becomes hard, milk production decreases or stops, and eventually, the breast tissue may atrophy, leading to a decline or loss of lactation function.

Prevention and Treatment:

Effective prevention of mastitis involves careful care of lactating mother cats, maintaining breast hygiene, and preventing kittens from scratching or biting. If mastitis is detected, it is crucial to immediately stop the kittens from nursing, clean the breasts, and promptly expel any milk secretions. Subsequently, antibiotics such as ampicillin or cefalexin can be administered into the nipple ducts, followed by gentle massage to ensure even distribution of the medication. Alternatively, procaine penicillin can be used for circumferential block therapy around the nipple, and traditional Chinese medicine like Yiyi Golden Powder can be mixed with honey for topical application. In severe cases, systemic antibiotic treatment may be necessary.