LAUSR

Background: Mastitis is a condition affecting various animals, including hamsters, gerbils, mice, and rats. While these species are frequently used as models for studying mammary gland infections in biomedical research, there is limited understanding of their natural occurrence, epidemiology, and management. This review examines the anatomy, causes, clinical signs, pathology, and treatment of mastitis in small pet rodents, highlighting existing knowledge gaps and emphasizing the need for further research. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first review focusing on mastitis in small pet rodents, underlining the importance of maintaining mammary gland health in these pets.