Proper treatment of mastitis in cats depending on its type

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Mastitis affects not only lactating cats or pregnant women. Animals in normal physiological condition may also suffer from this disease under certain conditions. Inflammation of the mammary glands gives a lot of inconvenience not only to the pet, but also to its owners. Before proceeding to the treatment of this unpleasant condition, you need to know exactly its symptoms and understand what can cause it.

Pathology occurs against the background of poor genetic predisposition or weakening of the body's immune defense.

The most common causes of mastitis

genital diseases during or after pregnancy,
hormonal disruptions in the "empty" heat (during the period of which fertilization does not occur) and false pregnancy,
milk stagnation in the mammary glands due to its excess, mastitis after the early withdrawal of the kittens (congestive inflammatory process),
mechanical bruises or injuries,
bacteriological or fungal infection through cracks or any other nipple injuries (septic process),
hypothermia common or directly mammary glands in a nursing cat,
complications in the postpartum period (for example, purulent endometritis or pyometra) or after sterilization (in sterilized individuals, infection occurs against the background of complications in a postoperative wound).

The main signs of mastitis

an increase in the mammary glands (all, in pairs or individually by lobes),
increase in local temperature or total (with a protracted course),
soreness on touch
redness around nipples,
discharge from the nipples of various textures (in the form of cottage cheese, kefiric consistency or admixture of blood, pus, fibrin),
lethargy and deterioration of the general condition, the prevention of kittens for feeding.

There is a form of subclinical mastitis in cats, signs of which appear either weakly or not at all (asymptomatic). The fact that something is wrong with health can only be understood by an attentive host:

the animal shows a slight anxiety during feeding, and between them the patient’s lactic gland lobes almost constantly lick,
kittens become more restless due to underfeeding or indigestion, because in any form of mastitis, milk from affected parts changes its properties,
no apparent pain, no fever or redness around the nipples.

With such signs, it is important to take a fluffy pet to a veterinarian in order to rule out other, more dangerous diseases that are almost asymptomatic.

What is the risk of improper treatment of mastitis?

It should be noted that self-help for mastitis in cats at home is permissible only in the initial stages, when the process is not started, and the secondary infection has not joined. In other cases, a visit to the veterinarian and the fulfillment of all medical prescriptions is mandatory in order to effectively cure mastitis in a cat.

The consequences of the inflammatory process are:

the degeneration of the mammary glands with the formation of tumors, both benign and malignant,
death of an animal from general intoxication and sepsis,
death of kittens from poisoning by contaminated milk.

If the cat did not give birth?

Mastitis in cats that do not give birth to cats is an unequivocal reason to visit a veterinary clinic. Problems in the mammary gland after childbirth carry a classic cause (milk stagnation, infection through the nipples) and a logical consequence (inflammatory process), which are obvious even to a layman. Inflammation without the presence of a milk production process is always some other serious cause (hormonal disruptions, injuries, internal diseases, etc.) that only a specialist can determine for sure.

What to do with the offspring during the treatment period?

A cat has mastitis - what to do with kittens? Usually, they are cleaned for the duration of treatment, preventing them from eating contaminated milk. If not all parts of the mammary gland are involved in inflammation, you can try to isolate (bandage or seal) the nipples of patients with lobes, and leave healthy access. Milk with purulent mastitis is infected, there is a high risk not only of digestive upset in newborns, but also of fatal poisoning.

When can I get help without a vet?

Independently help - to treat mastitis in a cat at home - you can only try with a serous or catarrhal form. In all other cases, only a veterinary specialist should deal with the therapy. Moreover, the usual owner of the animal can not always distinguish different forms of destruction (even looking at the photo).

Sedimentation of milk in cats at home

It is not possible to sip milk by hand, as is done in cows! All attempts to manually remove the milk will only lead to causing unnecessary pain to the animal and additional injury to the breast!

For expressing milk, a similar breast pump made from a 5 ml disposable syringe (preferably with a rubber plunger) is used. The piston is removed, and the top of the syringe is cut off along with the spout, which is put on the needle. The edges of the slice are burned gently over a gas burner or a lighter, equaling a circle to the fingers (previously cooled down a little). The piston is coming back. Now, leaning the product tightly against the skin around the nipple and gently pulling on the piston, a vacuum is created and the milk is gradually expressed (if there is no complete blockage of the ducts).

Allowed to attempt self-treatment of mastitis in cats with the following symptoms

slight swelling of the glands,
a slight increase in its size
no temperature rise
there is no pain or it is insignificant
there is no blockage of the milk ducts in the nipples,
no purulent or bloody discharge
not all of the gland is affected, but its individual lobes,
within a day or two there comes a visible improvement.

All signs that contradict the above list - this is an unequivocal reason for seeking help from a veterinarian!

Causes of mastitis

The development of the inflammatory process in the mammary glands of domestic cats occurs under the influence of several groups of factors. First of all, pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria, cocci, virus, fungi) play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Equally important is the violation of the hormonal system of the body. Often the factor leading to the illness is nipple injuries, abdominal bruises.

Experts also note that the weak immune system of the cat, diseases of the sexual sphere contribute to the development of mastitis. Overcooling and postpartum complications are also provocative factors.

Nervoda cats

The main cause of illness in an unbredding female is an imbalance in the body's hormonal balance.

Failure in the endocrine system can occur both due to concomitant diseases of internal organs (pituitary, ovaries, thyroid gland), and with the abuse of contraceptive drugs.

Veterinary experts reasonably believe that the main factor contributing to the development of mastitis in an unborn cat is the use of hormonal drugs, such as Sex Control, Sex Barrier, Stop Sex and others. These agents, by suppressing the sexual instincts in animals, alter the physiologically normal hormones in the body.

The mammary gland undergoes sharp fluctuations in the concentration of sex hormones, which leads to functional changes in the glandular tissue. These processes weaken the protective functions and contribute to the infection of the organ with pathogenic microorganisms.

Experienced breeders say that the cause of the inflammation of the mammary glands in nulliparous individuals is often the so-called "empty" heat. If the owner regularly does not allow the cat in the sexual hunt to the male, some animals may develop hormonal imbalance, leading, in part, to mastitis.

The cause of the disease in nonpartum females is often a false pregnancy. Failure in the psyche of the animal leads to the development of pituitary hormones characteristic of the pregnant cat. Even insignificant concentrations of prolactin and oxytocin can cause the formation of milk in the body of a non-bred female. Veterinarians have noted the genetic predisposition of some animals to a false pregnancy.

After sterilization

Not all owners know that mastitis can be observed in sterilized individuals. First of all, pathology may develop due to complications after the operation. There is infection of the suture with subsequent involvement in the inflammatory process of the mammary glands.

Often the cause of the development of the disease in a sterilized cat may be a way to perform the operation. If only the uterus is removed from the animal and the ovaries are left for any reason, then it is not surprising that they will find mastitis in the sterilized pet.

The ovaries are able to produce sex hormones, affect the change in the hormonal status of the operated animal.

After weaning the kittens

Inflammation of the mammary glands in the cat-mom when feeding and weaning the kittens occurs more often due to the development of lactostasis. This phenomenon is observed in case of incomplete emptying of the mammary glands. There is stagnation of maternal secretion in the body for one reason or another (the presence of milk stones, inflammation of the ducts, etc.).

Milk is a favorable environment for the development of pathogenic microorganisms. Long-term presence of milk in the ducts of the glands leads to the development of the inflammatory process.

Such a phenomenon is observed if the cat nurses one or two kittens, or the babies born are weak and unable to fully feed the mother's milk. Lactostasis is often observed with illiterate and early weaning of kittens from the cat mother.

Symptoms of mastitis in cats

The owner of a fluffy pet should be aware of what clinical signs characterize the ailment. Awareness in this matter will allow timely notice of pathology and provide professional help to the animal. Mastitis in cats is accompanied by the following symptoms:

The increase in the patient's body size. To notice this sign in a pregnant and lactating female is possible only with regular inspection of the animal. To hide the increase in glands can thick wool.
Around the nipples, the skin becomes painful, dense, reddened. The nipples themselves are often cracked.
When feeling the abdomen the cat is worried because of the pain, it becomes aggressive.
The inflammatory process is accompanied by local fever - the mammary glands are hot to the touch.
The cat constantly licks the abdominal area.
When pressed from the nipple is allocated contents other than mother's milk. The nature of the exudate depends on the type of disease. In case of fibrinous pathology, the contents will resemble cottage cheese. In the case of a hemorrhagic form, blood admixture is observed in the exudate. With the development of purulent mastitis, the contents when pressed on the nipple acquires a dark greenish color with a sharp unpleasant odor.

The reaction of the body to the inflammatory process is weak appetite, refusal to eat. In advanced cases, the disease is accompanied by fever, fever.
If at the time of development of the pathology in a cat there are kittens, then their behavior can also indicate the owner of the ailment of the cat mother. Cubs are malnourished, behave restlessly, do not sleep. Often they develop gastrointestinal disorders in the form of diarrhea. In addition, the cat is suspended from the kittens, does not allow them to the belly.

Symptomatology largely depends on the type and stage of the disease. The same parameters are decisive in the strategy of therapeutic measures.

Types and stages of mastitis in cats

In veterinary medicine, according to the nature of the course, it is customary to distinguish between two main forms of illness: serous and catarrhal. With serous inflammation occurs exudate pathological exudate in the subcutaneous tissue. The process is accompanied by inflammatory edema of the body. The cause of serous mastitis is hypothermia, mechanical injury.

When the catarrhal form of the disease occurs, inflammation of the epithelial tissue of the breast occurs. In cats, catarrh of the milk tank and the milk channel is observed. The cause of this form of the disease most often is lactostasis at weaning kittens.

By the nature of the exudate, veterinarians distinguish fibrinous, hemorrhagic and purulent mastitis.

At the very beginning of the development of inflammation, the clinical signs may be practically absent or hardly noticeable. If the cat is lactating, the owner should be especially careful to monitor the behavior of the cat.

Frequent licking of the abdominal area, the sluggish and depressed state of the animal are signs of the onset of the disease. When palpation of the mammary glands, their tension, swelling is observed. When pressed on the nipples secreted content resembles milk.

This type of pathology veterinarians consider galactostasis. This is the stagnation of maternal secrets in the milk ducts. The reason is the weaning of kittens from mother cats, hormonal disorders, concomitant gynecological diseases, complications after childbirth. Often the stagnant form of the disease develops due to the formation of mineral deposits in the milk ducts. The lumen of the channels narrows, they become blocked.

The secret of the gland becomes stagnant, the development of inflammation occurs.

The most dangerous form of the disease is purulent inflammation. This form is characterized by the rapid development of pyogenic microflora in the tissues and cavities of the breast. The process is accompanied by severe intoxication of the whole organism. The animal has an increase in body temperature, fever.

The danger of this type of illness lies in the great risk of developing a septic process. In advanced cases, the prognosis is unfavorable, even fatal.

Diagnosis of mastitis in the cat

Independently diagnose and prescribe treatment fluffy pet in any case impossible.

The owner must carefully monitor the health of the pet, especially if the cat has recently given birth or is feeding the babies. This will allow timely notice of the first signs of developing inflammation.

Having discovered symptoms similar to those of mastitis in a cat, the owner should immediately visit the clinic.

After a detailed history and clinical examination, a veterinary specialist may prescribe a complete blood count and send the contents of the nipple for bacteriological examination. Laboratory analysis will show the nature of the pathogenic microorganisms that caused the infection, and will allow the test of microflora sensitivity to antibiotics.

At home

Before applying for qualified help, the owner must provide the sick cat with rest. Kittens should be isolated from the nursing mother and their artificial feeding should be organized. It is not recommended to use hot or cold compresses without the appointment of a veterinary specialist. You can bandage the mammary glands. To reduce exudate production, it is necessary to limit the cat's access to water.

If the veterinarian prescribed a manual massage, the owner can carry it out at home. Massage is combined, as a rule, with decanting the contents of the nipple.

For information on how to massage the mammary glands of a cat, see this video:

What will the vet offer

The appointment of a veterinarian will depend on the form of the disease and the general condition of the cat. With a pronounced pain syndrome in the clinic, the animal will be given novocainic blockade of the mammary glands with the introduction of an antibiotic, for example, bitsillin.

In the event that there are abscess phenomena, they are opened with cleaning and removal of pus. According to the indications put drainage for removal of purulent exudate.

Effective treatment of mastitis requires the general use of antibacterial agents. For these purposes, antibiotics of penicillin are used - efficillin, efitsillin, oxacillin. Cephalosporins have a good antimicrobial effect: cephalexin, cephaloridin.

Antibiotics for the treatment of mastitis

When a fungal infection is found in the contents of the nipple, antifungal agents are used: levorin, amphotericin B, griseovulfin,

Immunomodulatory agents and vitamin preparations are prescribed to strengthen the body's defenses and increase resistance to infection in a sick cat.

Prevention of mastitis in animals

Veterinarians recommend the following disease prevention measures to owners of fluffy creatures:

Sterilization by hysterectomy of animals that do not represent pedigree value.
Prevention of hormonal disruptions in the cat. Veterinary specialists do not recommend the use of hormonal contraceptive drugs unless absolutely necessary.
Keep a nursing cat in proper sanitary conditions (clean and dry litter, warm room).
Hygiene nipples for feeding kittens. Treatment of wounds and cracks with antiseptics.
Профилактика травм сосков. Котятам следует остричь коготки на время грудного вскармливания.
Недопущение переохлаждения животного.
Профилактика стрессов у кошки.
Лечение сопутствующих заболеваний, профилактика послеродовых осложнений.
Full feeding, contributing to strong immunity.

Preventive measures will allow the owner to prevent such an unpleasant disease as mastitis.

Inflammation of the mammary glands is most often observed in productive animals. Particularly high risk of developing the disease in nursing cats. Therapeutic measures may include both conservative treatment with antibacterial agents, and surgical methods of treatment. The choice of treatment strategy depends on the form of the disease and the condition of the sick cat.

Useful video

For the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of mastitis in cats, see this video:

Often develops and mastitis. These phenomena have nothing to do with tumor processes, but are sometimes accepted by the owners as. If a benign breast tumor is diagnosed in a cat, treatment is directed to.

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A cat's uterus has happened: what to do? Dangerous bronchitis in cats: signs of presence, treatment and prevention. . Postpartum complications. Diseases such as mastitis (inflammation of the mammary glands), endometritis (inflammation.

The first signs of the disease

Symptoms of mastitis in a cat are deviations in behavior: she refuses to eat, often begins to lick her breasts, after lactation looks apathetic and lethargic, her body temperature rises. If there are at least two of these signs, you should examine the mammary glands. If the nipples and halos are red and swollen, you should immediately contact the veterinary clinic.

At the initial stage to identify the disease is quite problematic. First, most cats during pregnancy and lactation do not like touching their stomachs and try to avoid them in every possible way. Secondly, in cats with thick hair it is difficult to see the nipples.

The treatment of the disease at the initial stage is often limited to taking the necessary drugs and massage, so it does not require surgical intervention. If the initial stage has already passed, it is impossible to get by with conservative treatment.

The causes of the disease

The causes of mastitis are many:

weak immunity,
recent diseases,
insufficient body weight
hypothermia
bruises
breast injuries,
infection,
fungus,
milk stagnation
false pregnancy.

Injuries and diseases provoke mastitis due to the fact that bacteria that have fallen into wounds or that have appeared during the illness infect blood, which as a result of circulation enters the mammary glands. Milk stasis can be caused by a small number of kittens in the litter or the separation of the cat from the kittens and their early weaning. Often the disease is caused by several factors at once, and not just one.

For reasons of mastitis is divided into 2 types:

Septic (purulent).
Nonseptic (stagnant).

Septic (purulent) mastitis

Purulent mastitis occurs due to bacteria that have entered the body through nipple cracks, scratches or kitten bites. Mastitis in a cat after sterilization is also common. In addition, the probability of occurrence of the disease increases if the owners neglect the hygienic rules regarding their pet. Such a disease should be treated by a veterinarian. In this form, the treatment of mastitis in the cat at home is undesirable and can lead to deterioration in the health of the animal.

To relieve pain, a cat is given a Novocain blockade and the wounds are opened. Then with the help of antibiotics they remove the bacterial infection and carry out local anti-inflammatory treatment.

Mastitis in a cat that does not give birth is a reason for an immediate appeal to a specialist, since a disease of this kind in a non-feeding or non-pregnant cat can be associated with a serious ailment.

Nonseptic (congestive) mastitis

Nonseptic mastitis in cats after childbirth develops due to the resulting stagnation of milk in the mammary glands.

Milk can stagnate for several reasons:

Increased milk production (changes in hormonal levels, small droppings, premature weaning of kittens from the breast, lactation before pregnancy, false pregnancy).
Obstacle of milk outflow (not expressed milk in time or periodic delay in feeding, infection with a nipple injury to kittens or touching a cat with dirty hands, cicatricial deformities of the gland or nipple after surgery and injuries, swelling).

Stage of the disease

Initial stage. Accompanied by a slight redness and swelling of the nipples, as well as a slight increase in temperature in the pet. With inadequate care of the cat, the disease can be overlooked.
Serous mastitis. This is the second stage of the disease. The mammary glands become hard and hot, and also significantly increase in size. On palpation of the nipple stands out fluid with white patches, similar to flakes. The cat reacts painfully to the touch. Body temperature is constantly increased by at least one degree.
CatarrhalThe third stage. Visual symptoms remain. When pressed, a liquid similar in consistency to liquid milk is released from the nipple.
Fibrinous. The fourth stage of the disease. Significant fever and swollen lymph nodes are added to these symptoms. When pressing, you can hear sounds similar to a crunch.
Purulent. The fifth stage is a complication of the previous forms. Mastitis affects at the same time several mammary glands, with the result that they become blocked. A liquid with an unpleasant odor is emitted from the breast, as well as an admixture of pus and blood. In most cases, the disease at this stage becomes chronic. Connective tissue appears in the glands, which causes the cat to lose milk.
Hemorrhagic. The final stage. In this case, the body temperature rises significantly, and the animal is in a fever. Abundant hemorrhage occurs in the mammary glands and the skin as a whole, and the tissues turn red. At this stage, surgical intervention is required.

Diagnosis of mastitis in animals

To diagnose the disease itself is problematic. Therefore, even with minor deviations in the behavior of a pregnant or lactating cat, you should contact your veterinarian.

In order to understand what to do if a cat has mastitis, you need to accurately determine its presence. To do this, you need to carefully check her stomach and mammary glands. If the nipples have increased in size and become hot and dense to the touch, it means that the cat develops mastitis. If visual signs are present, it is necessary to ascertain the diagnosis by palpation of the mammary glands. Pressing on the nipples should be carefully, since any touch will be painful for the pet. If uncharacteristic discharges appear from the nipples, you should immediately contact a specialist.

Another sign confirming the negative changes in the cat's body is an increased body temperature. In the initial stages, it rises by one to two degrees.

The cat has mastitis: what to do?

With timely detection of the disease and contacting the veterinary clinic, surgical intervention will not be needed. Often in this case, you can restrict the conservative methods of treatment.

In order for a specialist to choose the right treatment regimen, he needs to provide information on how the pregnancy and delivery took place, as well as on the general health of the nurse. The full picture allows the doctor to identify the cause of the disease and prescribe the correct and effective treatment. In addition, it will speed up and facilitate the process of rehabilitation of the animal after an illness.

In order to prescribe the cat the necessary medications, the veterinarian is required to take tests from her by collecting a small amount of fluid from the mammary glands. After laboratory tests, the nature of the inflammation is detected and treatment is prescribed. Of the drugs often prescribed antibiotics from the quinolone groups, penicillins and cephalosporins. In addition, antipyretics and, if necessary, inhibitors of milk production are prescribed.

Treatment of the disease at home

When mastitis in cats as a treatment at home are usually prescribed:

massage,
pumping milk
treatment of nipples by means of relieving inflammation and external symptoms,
washing the affected breast with infusions of medicinal herbs (for example, sage, chamomile, oak bark).

Pet owners are recommended to give less water to the animal during the treatment period, since abundant fluid intake increases the flow of milk. Kittens are weaned at this time and transferred to artificial feeding with dry ready-made mixtures. If the disease has become severe and impurities of pus and blood have appeared in the milk, the kittens are weaned for good.

Postoperative care for animals

Severe forms of mastitis always require surgery. Therefore, the owners of the operated animals need to pay special attention to them and provide proper care.

To restore the body after surgery, cats are prescribed vitamins, Furosemide, Dexamethasone and antibiotics. Treat the operated area should be consistently as follows:

treat the wound with peroxide, furatsilinom or chlorhexidine, removing the blood and other secretions until complete purification (twice a day for about a week),
process the skin around the wound with iodine or methylene blue (twice a day for about one and a half weeks),
lubricate the wound with ointment "Levomekol" or "Algofin" (two or three times a day for about one and a half weeks),
put on the cat a veterinary plastic collar for two or three weeks to prevent the pet from self-traumatizing,
put a bandage on the animal (postoperative blanket).

Postoperative blanket

To protect the operated damaged mammary glands from dirt and microbes, as well as from licking wounds to the pet, they put on a special bandage - postoperative blanket. You can purchase it at a veterinary clinic or pharmacy. If it is not possible to find it, you can do it yourself.

To determine the size of the blankets, you need to measure the cat's girth of the abdomen and the length of the pet's body from neck to tail. Next, cut out a soft cloth (for example, flannel) square with a small allowance. In this square, you need to make notches for the paws, so that there is a little cloth near the neck. This will help the blanket not to crawl. After that to each of the corners you need to sew on the tape. They will perform the function of the strings.

When putting on blankets you need to tie ribbons in the direction from the neck to the tail and make sure that the bandage does not dangle and does not restrain movement. If you are uncertain, you should practice on an inanimate object, for example, a soft toy.

Disease prevention

For the prevention of the disease should perform the following steps:

Create conditions for the pet to live in a dry and warm room. If a pregnant or nursing cat lives on the street, for this period it should be moved into the house.
Regularly clean and clean the bedding of the animal.
Wash hands thoroughly before handling the cat.
Regularly wash the paws of kittens.
Develop for your pet the right balanced diet. To do this, consult with a veterinarian and choose a special food, preferably a premium class.
After the kittens are transferred to independent feeding, the cat glands the mammary glands to burn the milk.

A pregnant or lactating cat requires increased attention and care. Therefore, the owners should follow the rules of hygiene and as often as possible to pay attention to the pet. Then the cat with the kittens, and their owner will be calm and happy.

Causes and types

Inflammation of the breast occurs under the action of physical and biological factors:

accidental injury of milk packs or nipples,
penetration of infection (bacteria, fungi) through the nipples or skin, as well as with the blood flow from the affected internal organs (in this case, we will talk more about a systemic disease affecting the entire body of the animal as a whole),
complication of the postpartum period - the presence of inflammatory (especially purulent) processes in the uterus (pyometra, endometritis, etc.), injuries of the birth canal with the subsequent development of an infectious process in them,
hypothermia milk packs
lactostasis or stagnation of dairy secretion in packets with its excessive production, for the same reason, mastitis in a cat may begin after the early weaning of kittens, their small number, the birth of stillborn offspring or his death,
false pregnancy - a consequence of psychological failure, when there was estrus, perhaps mating, and the pregnancy never occurred,
impaired immunity, reduced overall resistance - a cat's body weakened after giving birth is simply not able to offer decent resistance to a little-bit infection.

Important! Very rarely, but mastitis can be diagnosed in a pregnant cat. This indicates either a hormonal failure, or a premature milk production. In all cases, you must immediately contact your veterinarian.

According to the nature of the inflammation, there are several types of pathology:

serous,
catarrhal
fibrinous
purulent,
abscessing
hemorrhagic.

In this case, one form can smoothly flow into another, which is more often observed in case of incorrect or late treatment of mastitis in a cat.

The symptoms of mastitis in a cat depend entirely on the cause of the occurrence, as well as its type. Therefore, we dwell on the symptoms of each of its forms of manifestation separately.

Serous mastitis

It is characterized by reddening of one or several dairy lobes, exudate excretion from nipples. In addition, there will be other signs:

the affected packet is significantly increased
adjacent fabrics are hot and doughy to the touch,
gland is hard and moderately painful,
milk emitted over time acquires a watery consistency, contains flakes,
sometimes the overall temperature may rise.

Important! The disease process can affect as one package, and have a spilled character, when the entire mammary gland is affected.

Catarral form

Symptoms of mastitis in cats with this type of inflammation are manifested by changes in the glandular body of the milk packs and the formation of flakes. They clog the milk passages, the secret stagnates, collapses, dense nodules of different sizes appear. Seals may disappear immediately after feeding and reappear as milk accumulates in the glands.

The animal usually feels normal, but with an extensive situation, the general condition may deteriorate.

Fibrinous mastitis

It is a consequence of the complications of the previous form. It can develop as an independent inflammation in the presence of purulent endometritis.

Packages significantly increased in volume, dense and painful.
When probing heard crepitating (crunchy) sounds.
The lymph nodes are enlarged.
The cat is reeling.

Purulent inflammation

Purulent mastitis in cats is accompanied by a sharp decrease in lactation. The affected package is enlarged, swollen, hot, and the skin is red. A turbid liquid is secreted from the nipple, often with blood and an unpleasant odor.

Over time, signs of oppression are added. Body temperature is elevated.

In almost 90% of cases, the process acquires a chronic course, the cavity of the gland is filled with connective tissue, in the future it will never produce milk.

Important! An additional unpleasant bonus of this type of inflammation is relapses after each birth, while the patient pack itself can be a source of infection for healthy lobes.

Sometimes purulent mastitis in a nursing cat is complicated by the formation of abscesses - the appearance of pustules of various sizes. As development proceeds, replenishment sites increase, coalesce, melt the mammary gland, causing systemic disease and even sepsis.

Hemorrhagic form

Manifested by extensive hemorrhages in the skin, milk ducts and alveoli. Occurs as a complication of catarrh and serous inflammation.

One, several lobes or all packages are affected. The tissues swell strongly, are soaked in blood (bright red staining), the gland is painful, all this is accompanied by general oppression and fever.

Therapy methods

It is necessary to adhere to the etiopathogenetic principle. That is, answering the question how to treat mastitis in a cat, first of all, it is determined with the cause that led to the pathology and its appearance. Then the therapeutic scheme is made.

Good results give novocainic blockade and physiotherapy (ultrasound, electrophoresis, etc.)

For a light (serous, catarrhal) form of mastitis in a cat, camphor or ichthyol oil is rubbed into the skin. These substances are irritating: the vessels dilate, the blood rushes to the tissues, their trophicity (nutrition) improves, and, consequently, the recovery process is accelerated.

Along with this, you can do a massage. Apply warm compresses on the 4-5 day from the onset of the disease. Be sure to prescribe painkillers, anti-inflammatory, resolving means.

Important! During the treatment period, it is better to limit the cat in the water and use diuretic herbs, which will not only help reduce puffiness, but also reduce the production of milk, which in general will only benefit.

Кроме того, освободить молочные пакеты от секрета поможет применение окситоцина (дозировка и кратность определяется ветеринарным специалистом).

The use of antibiotics is shown only when the general condition deteriorates and microbes are detected in milk.

Important! With more severe forms of mastitis (purulent, fibrinous, etc.), the treatment of mastitis in the cat at home is unacceptable!

With this course of the disease, any delay in prescribing a therapeutic regimen can cost the animal's life. In addition to the above methods, be sure to apply antibiotic therapy.

It is advisable before the appointment of antimicrobial drugs to conduct laboratory research to identify the pathogen and determine the sensitivity to antibiotics.

In addition, the same methods are used as in the treatment of milder forms of pathology.

Treatment of the abscess form of mastitis depends on the condition of the animal. Sometimes it will be enough to prescribe rest, heat, disinfecting ointments and antibiotics. Large ulcers open, pump out the pus and treated with antiseptics. In severe cases it is necessary to resort to the complete removal of the milk package. In any case, antibiotics can not do.

Important! When purulent, abscess, hemorrhagic mastitis massage is contraindicated!

Prevention issues

Mastitis in a cat can be cured completely before complications appear. It is important to notice it in time and take immediate action. Therefore, you should as often as possible to inspect milk packages, especially in the first days after delivery and weaning babies, when the risk of getting sick increases.

A nursing mother should always be warm, away from drafts and kept in normal (clean) conditions.

Always pay attention to possible postpartum complications, which often become the cause of breast disease, and their timely treatment.

The author of the article: Marina Chuprina,
veterinarian, parasitologist

We offer to watch a video of how to make a cat a massage for mastitis: