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Review CAT NORMAL REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE
So what happens in Feline Mammary Hyperplasia?
Progesterone
levels would have been high - as if in pregnancy - and started the
stimulation of mammary gland. Prolactin may then be released from the
pituitary. Under the influence of these hormones one or more of her
mammary glands will swell up; and she may, although this is rare,
lactate.
How does she lactate after being spayed or after an abortion?
If
she was spayed or aborted in late pregnancy, the termination event
mimics the normal events of giving birth - a sudden drop in
progesterone with rising prolactin levels resulting in lactation.
Lactation may last up to 6 months! She may be stimulating the mammary
tissue in the same way as kittens do by snacking on the milk and so
prolong the lactation. There are several ways to stop the lactation in
FMH:
- Prevent stimulation and promote natural regression by preventing access to the area by herself or other cats.
- Bromocryptine or cabergoline (prolactin inhibitors) - these drugs are not approved in Canada and have some severe side effects.
- Check regularly - watch for any of the signs of mastitis - she may need antibiotic treatment and warm compresses.
- Keep the area clean to decrease the chance of infection.
She was spayed 6 years ago and now has FMH?
FMH
can happen anytime before and after spaying - it needs only high
progesterone concentration and sensitised mammary tissue. It may recur,
it may happen only once in a lifetime or never. It can also vary from
very mild to extremely large and painful.
She is a he.
Yes,
neutered male cats can get this too. All it needs is high progesterone
levels. This can happen from drugs prescribed for other conditions
(e.g. Ovaban / megesterol acetate or Depo-Provera or other synthetic
progestogens for skin conditions); or dietary intake - plants contain
similar hormones, contaminated water sources, substances in the cats
environment that mimic the effects of progesterone or disturb the
normal hormonal balance; or certain hormone secreting tumours.
What to watch for in FMH
- Development
of mastitis - look for heat, hard spots, sore spats, pus, the milky
exudates changing colour; anorexia or inappetance; fever,
listlessness/decreased energy; sudden shock - pallor, increased
breathing, collapse
- Development of mammary gland neoplasia - those lumps don't go away and get bigger.
- Behavioural oestrus when she stops lactating - this may only happen the next spring!
What about measuring hormones?
Your
veterinarian can certainly submit blood for hormone levels. These tests
are probably only of value if your veterinarian suspects an ovarian
remnant; require timing and may be costly.
Sources:
- Gregory K. Ogilvie, Antony S. Moore; Feline Oncology, a comprehensive guide to compassionate care , 2001, VetLearnSystems
- Ettinger & Feldman; Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Fifth Ed. ; 2000, Saunders
- C. B. Chastain, Dave Panciera, Carrie Waters, Wehrend A, Hospes R, Gruber AD.; Treatment of Feline Mammary Fibroadenomatous Hyperplasia with a Progesterone-Antagonist ; Sm Anim Clin Endocrinol 11[3]:20 Sep-Dec'01; Vet Rec 2001;148:346-347
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