Mastitis is infection and inflammation of one or more mammary glands. In cats it is uncommon, occurs mainly in lactating queens, and is recognised by hot, painful glands, a sick queen and poorly growing kittens. The treatment has to protect the nursing litter.
Key facts
Mastitis at a glance- Species and system: cat; mammary gland (reproductive system).
- Cause: bacteria entering the gland via the teat, trauma or the blood; E. coli, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus are the usual organisms (MSD).
- Classic presentation: firm, hot, painful gland or glands in a nursing queen, with fever, anorexia, and abnormal or blood-tinged milk.
- Diagnosis: milk cytology with degenerate neutrophils; culture and susceptibility testing.
- Treatment: broad-spectrum antibiotics safe for nursing kittens, compresses, pain control and kitten support.
- Complications: abscess, gangrene, sepsis.
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
- When it is not simple mastitis
- Exam pearls and common errors
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 4 tables, 3 self-test questions and 5 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.