My cat has a swollen chest: causes and what to do

If a cat's breasts are swollen outside of pregnancy, after breastfeeding, or in spayed cats, this may be a symptom of a serious illness.

Norm and pathology

Normally, there is only one reason for breast swelling in cats – pregnancy and feeding of offspring. Nipples increase from the 4th week of pregnancy, especially in individuals, giving birth for the first time.

Owners often make a common mistake: weaning all the kittens at once. Early weaning can cause problems with the mammary glands, especially if it's the mother's first litter. The mother is under stress, and continued lactation is a reaction to this stress. As the time for birth approaches, the breasts become even larger.

Additional symptoms of stress include aggression, passivity, and refusal to eat or drink. Veterinarians recommend that owners not wean the entire litter, but keep at least one kitten to prevent milk from spoiling. This will minimize the risk of mastitis and mastopathy.

Hard breasts in a cat outside of pregnancy and lactation can be a symptom of several conditions. These include:

• false pregnancy;
• benign and malignant tumors;
• mentioned above mastitis And mastopathy.

False pregnancy

False pregnancy occurs for various reasons, including unsuccessful mating and hormonal imbalances. The symptoms are the same as those of a normal pregnancy:

• the cat is sick;
• the belly gets bigger;
• the nipples swell.

A false pregnancy can be diagnosed with an ultrasound. If the condition recurs several times, it is advisable to spay the animal.

Mastitis

Mastitis occurs due to stagnation of breast milk, infection with E. coli, or staphylococcus. The disease is accompanied by:

• swelling of the mammary glands;
• increasing their size;
• redness, cracking skin;
• increase in temperature;
• discharge from the breast mixed with pus;
• in some cases – seals that can be felt during palpation.

Cats' behavior changes—they become apathetic, lethargic, and lose their appetite. Touching their mammary glands with fingers causes severe pain.

With mastitis, the milk ducts become inflamed and narrow in diameter, which impedes milk flow and leads to curdling. As a result, the breasts become hard, the cat becomes feverish, and seeks a secluded spot.

Untreated mastitis carries the risk of malignant transformation and sepsis. Only a veterinarian can accurately diagnose the disease and prescribe the necessary treatment.

In the initial stages, owners can help their pet express milk by gently pressing and massaging the nipple. This is possible as long as the animal does not have a fever. To stop lactation, apply a tight bandage to the mammary glands. The amount of fluid the female drinks will need to be reduced for a while.

Mastopathy

Mastopathy is an inflammation of the mammary gland, accompanied by the development of cysts and other lumps. If left untreated and without regular veterinary monitoring, the condition can trigger the formation and proliferation of cancerous cells.

Mastopathy is more common in individuals who have given birth and is practically not diagnosed in cats sterilized at an early age (before or after one year).

The signs of the pathology are in many ways similar to the symptoms of mastitis:

• the cat's breasts are swollen and enlarged;
• bloody discharge appeared;
• the glands are visually enlarged;
• touching causes pain to the female.

If detected early, mastopathy responds well to treatment; cats tolerate medications and injections well. In the early stages, the disease can be treated with iodine-containing medications and immunomodulators.

In advanced cases, when ulcers have appeared on the skin, conservative therapy is ineffective. Severe lesions require surgical intervention, during which the affected glands, as well as the uterus and ovaries, are partially or completely removed. The animal will require long-term rehabilitation.

Benign tumors

The symptoms of benign tumors are the same as those of mastitis and mastopathy. Additionally, the animal's lymph nodes become enlarged.

Cats with a history of hormonal imbalances or mammary trauma are at risk. Some individuals are genetically predisposed to developing benign tumors.

Obesity, frequent childbirth, and taking medications that suppress libido and hormones can trigger breast growth. The severity of the growth can only be determined through a comprehensive examination.

Cancer

Malignant neoplasms are dangerous because they develop latently for a long time. The first warning signs are:

• breast enlargement and firmness;
• lethargy, apathy;
• refusal to eat;
• sudden weight loss.

At the early stage, the tumor can be removed and the animal's life can be saved. Statistics show that 80% of animals survive with timely treatment of stage 1 cancer. At stage 2, surgery and chemotherapy are performed, but only 50% of cats survive.

In the late stages, the prognosis is pessimistic. The cancer metastasizes to the brain, liver, and other organs. The tumor constantly grows, invading adjacent tissues—it's impossible to miss. In these situations, treatment is symptomatic, aimed at relieving pain and improving quality of life.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are administered only in a hospital setting under constant veterinary supervision. Some owners refuse them for fear of causing their pet to go bald. These fears are unfounded—the cat's fur will be preserved, unlike human hair.

Owners should understand that while the tumor is dissolving, it's impossible to help the animal. The most humane option is to euthanize the animal.

Diagnosis and prognosis

Any changes in the mammary glands are a reason for an unscheduled visit to the veterinary clinic. The cat will undergo a series of instrumental examinations and laboratory tests. These will take 2-10 days. The most informative diagnostic methods are:

• examination with palpation;
• complete blood count;
• urine analysis;
• examination of breast discharge;
• Ultrasound;
• X-ray examination;
• biopsy;
• MRI.

A comprehensive set of tests allows us to assess your pet's health, establish an accurate diagnosis, and select the most effective treatment. This may involve conservative therapy or a combination of surgery, medication, and radiation therapy.

In the early stages of any disease, the prognosis is favorable and the chances of a full recovery are high.

Diagnosis and treatment of mammary tumors in cats: video

https://youtu.be/j4MAiiTpTgk

Read also:

• Mammary tumor in a cat
• Breast cancer in cats
• Elevated white blood cell count in a cat: causes and treatment