Feline fibroadenomatosis
The Feline Fibroadenomatose (Syn. Fibroepithelial hyperplasia , feline Mammahyperplasie is) a hormonally influenced disease of the mammary glands of cats ( Felin of Latin felis , cat ' ) formed by a reversible Zubildung of mesenchymal and epithelial cells ( fibroadenomas is marked) in the udder. It is the result of high progesterone levels and usually regresses spontaneously after the corpus luteum has regressed in the ovary. Very rarely, fibroadenomatosis can also occur in a hangover. Fibroadenomatosis can also be cured with antiprogesterones or castration.
Emergence
The cause of this disease has not yet been clarified. It is certain that the sex hormone progesterone is involved . Feline fibroadenomatosis always develops in the phase of high progesterone levels during the sexual cycle , i.e. after heat (oestrus), during pregnancy or a pseudo- pregnancy . Medicinal suppression of heat by means of hormone treatment with progestogens ( iatrogenic ) can lead to the development of feline fibroadenomatosis as a side effect . Progesterone leads to an increased formation of growth hormone in the mammary gland, which in turn leads to cell proliferation in the stroma and the glandular tissue.
The disease occurs spontaneously, especially in young female cats. Older animals are usually only affected as a result of progesterone treatment. Fibroadenomatosis can rarely also occur in hangovers, usually as a result of treatment with gestagens .
Fibroadenomatosis is very rare in males. It can be caused by the intake of progestins, possibly also spontaneously by male sex hormones.
Symptoms
Feline fibroadenomatosis initially begins without disturbing the general condition. There is a sharp increase in the size of the mammary complexes, which can grow to the size of an orange.
Secondly, this increase in size can lead to an insufficient supply of blood ( ischemia ), tissue death ( necrosis ) as a result of the increased pressure, difficulty walking and reduced food consumption ( anorexia ).
treatment
The formation of the breasts is reversible. With the physiological regression of the corpus luteum ( luteolysis ) in the ovary , the place where progesterone is formed, the fibroadenomas usually regress as well.
Drug treatment with anti-progesterone such aglepristone results within four weeks to a regression of Gesäugevergrößerung. The active ingredient has to be injected three to four times. For cats that are not to be used for breeding, castration is the method of choice. After the castration, the fibroadenomas also regress. In addition, a potential recurrence in the next sexual cycle is prevented from the start. The regression takes three to eleven weeks, in exceptional cases up to five months, and can be accelerated by administering aglepristone.
The artificial triggering of luteal regression by prostaglandin F2α is not recommended due to the severe side effects. Prolactin inhibitors such as cabergoline can also be used, but also usually cause considerable side effects in cats.
In the case of severe skin necrosis and ulcers as a result of strong enlargement, the affected skin areas may have to be surgically removed.
In males, castration can also lead to regression. If this is unsuccessful, cabergoline can be given.
literature
- Susi Arnold et al .: Diseases of the mammary gland . In: Martin C. Horzinek et al. (Ed.): Diseases of the cat . 4th edition. Enke, Stuttgart 2005, ISBN 3-8304-1049-2 , p. 438-439 .
- Nina Dvojkovic et al .: Feline fibroepithelial hyperplasia (FEH) - treatment options . In: Small Animal Practice . tape 60 , no. 5 , 2015, p. 237-243 , doi : 10.2377 / 0023-2076-60-237 .
