Mastitis: The Cause of Tabby's Trouble

by Courtney Mroch | More from this Blogger

19 Mar 2007 06:55 AM

Dr. Singleton called me just a little after 10 a.m. Friday to say Tabby was on the mend. She further surprised me by saying I could come get Tabby whenever I was ready. When I'd taken Tabby in, she said she would for sure keep Tabby over night, and it might not be until Saturday I could take her home. So I was overjoyed with relief to hear my girl had improved that much.

Dr. Singleton had no idea if a spider bite was to blame, but Tabby had developed mastitis. Most likely it was due to her pregnancy and/or termination of it, but I'm still kicking myself for letting her walk around as much as I did when I first brought her home. I should have had her room completely ready and put her right in there. I never thought she'd be up and about as much as she was. I thought she'd just conk right out. Lesson learned!

What Is Mastitis?

Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary glands due to infection. It happens to pregnant and nursing moms. (Be they human, canine, or feline.) It occurs when bacteria enters the mammary gland from suckling kittens damaging the nipples with their teeth and paws. (Although it can also be caused by an infection elsewhere traveling through the bloodstream to the mammary glands too.)

Symptoms

• Swollen mammary glands • Fever • Bloody, yellow, and/or thick milk • Lose of appetite and dehydration • Lethargy • The cat refuses to let her kittens nurse • Kittens that get sick and/or die

Note: Non septic cases may be harder to spot, as the cat may not show signs of distress other than swollen glands. She might remain alert and seemingly healthy, making a diagnosis difficult.

Treating It

Mastitis is an emergency condition. Seek immediate veterinary care!

The vet will administer pain medication and antibiotics. Depending on how severe the condition, the cat may also be treated for dehydration. (In Tabby's case, no kittens were involved. If they had been, they'd have possibly needed treatment too.) Sometimes abscesses may need to be drained.

When your cat's healthy enough to be released back into your care, antibiotics will be prescribed for you to administer at home. As will lots of rest and TLC.

Learn more about Courtney Mroch

Courtney Mroch is a wife, a proud pet parent, and a writer. She's been with her husband, high school sweetheart Wayne Pryor, over 20 years, married 11 of those. She's "mom" to Mr. Meow, a.k.

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