What Is Mastitis and How Does It Affect Nursing Female Dogs

Mastitis is inflammation of the mammary glands and tissue. It's linked to the postpartum period in female dogs and can develop into an infection. Treatment will depend on this.

This condition isn't just uncomfortable for the mother — it can also put her puppies' health at risk. In addition, females experiencing phantom pregnancies are also at risk of mastitis. Let's take a detailed look at the symptoms and treatment for this condition.

Mammary Glands and Mastitis

Generally, female dogs have about ten mammary glands (five pairs), distributed five on each side of the body, from the armpit to the groin. Those on the right side are labeled R1, R2…R5, and those on the left the same but with the letter "L". Their main function is producing milk to feed their offspring after birth.

When there's milk, it can build up in excess, solidify, and cause the mammary glands to harden. This is known as galactostasis. On the other hand, if what develops is an infection, we're dealing with mastitis.

Galactostasis

Broadly speaking, we can define this condition as the hardening of the mammary glands from the solidification of their contents — milk. It can affect females at the end of pregnancy, which is when milk production begins. But it also occurs in females experiencing a phantom or false pregnancy, since there won't be puppies to nurse the milk that can be produced, causing it to build up.

Either way, what happens is excessive buildup and hardening of milk in the mammary glands. This causes them to swell considerably. In addition, this process causes pain, warmth, and inflammation, which we'll notice both by looking and by feeling the area. On the other hand, this isn't an infectious process like mastitis is.

Treatment for Galactostasis

Hardened mammary glands are a reason to see the vet, since only this professional can give us a confirmed diagnosis. Treatment usually involves anti-inflammatories and milk-secretion inhibitors, among others.

This will help eliminate the excess fluid. If the galactostasis is due to a phantom pregnancy, it's very important that we don't handle the mammary glands, since that stimulation would just encourage more milk production. For the same reason, we need to make sure the female doesn't lick herself. In more severe cases, a mild sedative and/or antibiotics may be given.

Since phantom pregnancy tends to recur after each heat cycle, the most recommended treatment is spaying. This surgery eliminates heat cycles, phantom pregnancies, and pregnancies. Of course, always follow the vet's instructions, especially while the female is raising her puppies.

Acute Septic Mastitis

Mastitis is an infection that travels up into the mammary gland through the milk ducts, causing inflammation and creating an environment for bacteria to replicate and, as a result, the infection to spread. It's painful for the female and can cause a variety of signs and symptoms.

There are several possible causes; commonly, while nursing, a female dog's nipples can become sore and cracked, allowing bacteria to enter and multiply. The infection can spread through the entire mammary tissue. When a female is nursing a litter, it's important to be aware of mastitis, since she may refuse to let the puppies come near her due to the noticeable pain.

Affected females with an infection usually have a fever, stop eating, and seem listless. The mammary glands will look swollen and take on a reddish tone. It's a very painful process. If we get a chance to see the milk, it usually changes in appearance too. It may show some blood, be thicker, or have a brownish color and a strong smell.

Treatment for Acute Septic Mastitis

Since this is a bacterial infection, giving antibiotics such as amoxicillin-clavulanate is essential, or based on a culture and antibiogram, along with anti-inflammatories such as meloxicam and cleaning the area with chlorhexidine solution. Any glandular fluid present, such as pus, will need to be drained.

These should always be prescribed by the vet after confirming the diagnosis. Early treatment matters. Otherwise, besides affecting the wellbeing of mother and puppies, it can lead to the formation of an abscess, a buildup of pus under the skin, and other complications.

Caring for a Female Dog With Mastitis at Home

Besides the medication prescribed by the vet, applying warm compresses followed by cold ones is recommended to reduce inflammation in the area.

Puppies need to be kept from nursing from these mammary glands. This helps recovery, since without the stimulation of suckling, milk production normally stops within a few days. That said, the sick mother's condition, especially in more severe cases, can lead her to neglect the puppies.

What Happens to the Puppies of a Female Dog With Mastitis?

If we notice the puppies aren't feeding properly, or the mother abandons them altogether, we need to raise them using milk replacer specially formulated for puppies. We'll prepare bottles following the manufacturer's instructions.

• How to feed newborn puppies

If the puppies are three weeks old or more, they can be weaned directly, a process that's recommended to do gradually. Keep in mind that milk, even if it's replacer, is recommended for at least 6-8 weeks, although solids can be offered from three weeks onward.