1. Case Overview

Species: Feline Gender: Female Age: 1 year 5 months Case: Mammary Ulcer

The patient is a 1-year-and-5-month-old female feline presenting with swelling and local heat in the left mammary gland. Blood tests revealed a significant increase in serum amyloid A (SAA), and abdominal ultrasonography showed mammary gland enlargement, enhanced parenchymal echogenicity, and obvious ductal dilation, indicating marked inflammation and tissue damage. Mammary ulceration developed during treatment, with an initial lesion size of approximately 4 cm × 5 cm.

2. Treatment Course

July 16–21: No laser therapy was applied. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications were administered, and the swollen mammary area was hot-compressed for two days. Skin lesions subsequently appeared, and the wound was managed with debridement and topical application of tissue-repairing powder.

July 22–29: Necrotic tissue sloughed off, followed by debridement and fourth-level laser therapy. Tissue-repairing powder continued to be applied.

July 30–August 7: Oral administration of cefalexin (Synulox) was given. Ovariohysterectomy was performed on July 30, followed by continued laser therapy to accelerate wound healing.

3. Differential Diagnosis

Mammary ulceration is not a standalone disease and may result from various mammary or systemic conditions:

1.Mastitis/Abscess

Acute or chronic inflammation can cause gland swelling, purulent exudate, pain, and fever. Ultrasonography may show enhanced parenchymal echogenicity and ductal dilation.

2.Necrotic Mammary Tumor

Malignant or benign tumors may undergo secondary infection, leading to local tissue necrosis or ulceration, sometimes with exudate or foul odor.

3.Postoperative or Secondary Skin Infection

Previous surgery or trauma may result in localized skin ulceration and mammary inflammation.

4.Immune-Mediated Skin Disease

Conditions such as pyoderma gangrenosum can present with rapidly expanding, painful mammary ulcers, often accompanied by systemic signs.

5.Mammary Tuberculosis (rare)

Chronic cold abscesses with sinus formation may occur, typically with mild systemic inflammatory response.

4. Summary

Laser therapy can accelerate tissue repair, activate T and B lymphocytes and macrophages to produce cytokines, effectively reduce inflammation and swelling, significantly shorten wound healing time, and help the cat regain vitality faster, while enhancing the owner’s confidence and the animal’s quality of life.