Mastitis in Dogs: Diagnose, Treat & Prevent Effectively
When you have a bitch with a litter of puppies, it's crucial to observe changes in her health and that of her young. Mastitis, an infection of the mammary glands, although uncommon, can severely impact the mother's ability to nurse, threatening the puppies' survival.
This comprehensive guide explains what mastitis is, how to recognise it, diagnose, treat, and prevent it, promoting responsible dog ownership and early veterinary intervention.
Understanding Mastitis in Nursing Dogs
Mastitis is an infection entering the mammary gland through the milk ducts, causing painful inflammation. Typically affecting lactating bitches, it can occasionally occur in non-nursing females, potentially linked to serious conditions like mammary cancer.
Cracks or soreness in the teats enable bacteria—commonly present on the skin or environment—to enter and multiply, creating an infected, inflamed area that spreads through mammary tissue.
Puppies rely entirely on their mother's milk, so any blockage or pain preventing feeding signals the urgency of recognizing mastitis.
Recognising the Signs of Mastitis
The earliest clues may come from the litter, with distressed cries and lethargy indicating feeding difficulties. Observing the bitch carefully is vital.
- Swelling, redness, and heat in one or more mammary glands
- Mammary tissue feels firm or hard to touch
- Discharge or foul odour from the nipples
- Loss of appetite and depressed demeanour in the bitch
- Reluctance or refusal to allow puppies to nurse due to pain
- In severe infections, abscess formation or rupture
- Irritability or aggression towards puppies caused by discomfort
If you spot these signs, prompt veterinary consultation is essential for your dog's wellbeing and the puppies' survival.
Diagnosing Mastitis: Veterinary Examination and Tests
A vet usually diagnoses mastitis through physical examination, noting typical signs such as swollen, warm, and painful mammary glands. In doubtful cases, further tests including blood counts or fluid sampling from teats might be necessary.
Confirming infection aids in identifying the causative bacteria and ensures proper antibiotic treatment. Early and accurate diagnosis improves outcomes and helps avoid serious complications such as systemic illness.
Treatment Steps for Mastitis
Treatment varies with the severity of infection:
- Antibiotics: A prescribed course must be completed even if symptoms improve, as stopping early risks recurrence or resistance.
- Pain Relief: Your vet may recommend safe medications to ease discomfort.
- Warm Compresses: Applying regularly helps reduce swelling and promotes milk flow.
- Supporting Puppy Feeding: If the bitch cannot feed due to pain or infection, hand feeding puppies with an appropriate milk replacer is vital.
- Advanced Care: Severe cases may require draining abscesses under anaesthetic, fluid therapy, or in rare instances, surgical removal of affected glands.
Supportive care minimises stress, often allowing puppies to stay with their mother during treatment.
Preventing Mastitis in Bitches
The most definitive way to prevent mastitis is to spay your dog after weaning, eliminating nursing-related risks. However, while nursing, good hygiene reduces infection chances:
- Regularly clean and change bedding in the whelping area.
- Trim puppies' nails frequently to prevent scratches that can allow bacteria into the teats.
- Keep the mother clean, especially around mammary glands, after outdoor trips.
- Monitor teats for early signs of soreness or cracking and contact your vet promptly if concerned.
Responsible breeding and attentive postnatal care are key to minimising mastitis risks and ensuring healthy litters.
Why Early Detection Matters
Delaying treatment can risk the mother's health and threaten puppies if they cannot feed. Mastitis can cause systemic illness, leading to fever and lethargy in the mother.
Effective management requires vigilance from breeders and owners alike, combined with expert veterinary care.
Summary and Next Steps
Mastitis, though uncommon, poses a serious risk to nursing dogs and their puppies. Recognising early signs, seeking prompt veterinary diagnosis, and adhering to treatment advice are essential responsibilities of dog owners and breeders.
If you’re considering breeding or acquiring puppies, remember that caring for a nursing bitch demands close observation and hygiene diligence to safeguard both her welfare and that of her litter.
