Feline mammary hyperplasia, also called fibroadenomatous or fibroepithelial hyperplasia or mammary hypertrophy, is a benign, progesterone-associated overgrowth of mammary tissue. It makes one or more glands swell rapidly, sometimes enormously, and it looks alarming. On the exam it is the benign look-alike of mammary cancer and mastitis.
Key facts
Mammary hyperplasia at a glance- Species and system: cat; mammary gland (reproductive system).
- Cause: progesterone, from the cycle or pregnancy, or from progestin drugs (MSD).
- Who: usually young sexually intact females after estrus, and cats of either sex on long-term progestins; no breed predisposition (MSD).
- Classic presentation: sudden swelling of one or more mammary glands, which may be erythematous or ulcerated, in a cat that is not producing milk.
- Treatment: remove the progesterone source: stop the progestin, give an antiprogestin, or spay (in diestrus).
- Caution: any feline mammary mass should be treated with concern because most feline mammary tumours are malignant.
What's inside
15 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Working through a case
- Complications to remember
- Exam pearls and common errors
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 4 tables, 1 figure, 3 self-test questions and 7 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
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