Anyone who has been pregnant or nursed a baby knows that breasts can be sore and sensitive. But soreness is often the least of her worries for a mother dog nursing puppies.
Although it is more common in cattle and other species, mastitis can also occur in dogs. This disease most commonly affects female dogs who have recently given birth. Fortunately, most dogs make a full recovery, with prompt treatment.
What is Mastitis?
Mastitis in dogs is a serious bacterial infection caused by the heavy growth of Escherichia coli in the mammary glands that can quickly become life-threatening if left unchecked. Female dogs suffering from it experience inflammation in their mammary glands, which can be caused by infection or other factors.
The swelling or inflammation of your dog’s afflicted mammary gland may be seen if you look closely. In the early stages, the infected dog usually doesn’t act sick and may only have minimal discomfort. However, as mastitis progresses, the mammary glands will become more inflamed, discolored (commonly purple or red), swollen, and painful.
Usually, mastitis in dogs occurs after a dog gives birth because of how messy the whelping box can get or weening the puppies too early. There are different types of mastitis in dogs.
What Are the Clinical Signs and Symptoms of Mastitis?
Some of the symptoms include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and swollen, painful breasts. In some cases, the nipples or teat canal may appear red and inflamed. The infection is usually most severe in the first few days after giving birth when the mother’s milk first comes in.
However, it can also occur later on in nursing if the puppies are not draining the mother’s breasts properly or if she develops an infection in her mammary glands.
Treatment for mastitis typically includes antibiotics or possibly surgery. However, if caught early enough, the infection may be able to be treated with antibiotics alone.
However, suppose the infection has progressed to the point where abscesses have formed. In that case, surgery will likely be necessary to remove the affected tissue and ensure that all of the bacteria have been eliminated. In either case, it is crucial to seek veterinary care as soon as possible to give your dog the best chance for a full recovery.
The Different Types of Mastitis
Dogs have several different types of mastitis, including septic, non-septic, gangrenous, and chronic or subclinical. Each type has its own set of symptoms and requires its own treatment.
Acute
Acute mastitis is the most common type in dogs. It is usually caused by bacteria entering the mammary gland through cracked or sore nipples. The infection then quickly spreads through the gland, causing inflammation and pain.
Treatment for acute mastitis typically includes antibiotics and pain relief. In some cases, surgery may also be necessary to remove any abscesses that have formed.
Subclinical
Subclinical is a less severe form of infection that often goes unnoticed. Dogs with this type may have no apparent symptoms, or they may only have a mild fever and some inflammation in the mammary gland.
A bacterial infection usually causes this type of mastitis, but it can also be the result of an allergy or eosinophilic mastitis. Treatment for subclinical mastitis typically includes antibiotics and pain relief.
Gangrenous
Gangrenous mastitis is a severe form of infection that can quickly become life-threatening. A severe bacterial infection most often causes it, but it can also result from an injury or blockage in the mammary gland.
This type causes the tissue in the affected gland to die, leading to sepsis if not treated immediately. Treatment for gangrenous mastitis typically includes antibiotics, surgery, and intensive supportive care.
Septic
Septic mastitis is a severe form of infection that can be life-threatening. It is caused by bacteria entering the bloodstream through the mammary gland.
It can lead to sepsis, which is a potentially fatal condition. Treatment for it typically includes antibiotics, surgery, and intensive supportive care.
Chronic
Chronic mastitis is a recurring form of infection that can be difficult to treat. It is often caused by an underlying condition, such as an allergy or eosinophilic mastitis. Treatment for chronic mastitis typically includes antibiotics, pain relief, and management of the underlying condition.
Eosinophilic
Eosinophilic mastitis is a rare infection caused by an allergic reaction to the milk produced by the mammary gland. Symptoms of eosinophilic mastitis include itching, redness, and swelling in the affected gland. Treatment for eosinophilic mastitis typically includes antibiotics and management of the underlying allergy.
How Is Mastitis Diagnosed?
In many situations, a physical examination may be enough to diagnose mastitis. However, laboratory testing may occasionally be required to confirm the diagnosis or rule out other diseases. The following are some of the laboratory tests that might be used:
Complete blood cell count. A complete blood count (CBC) is a lab test that checks the number and types of cells in your dog’s blood. The white blood cell count changes when your dog gets sick, and the amount by which it fluctuates indicates how severe the illness is.
Milk cytology. In this test, a tiny sample of milk is extracted from the affected mammary gland and examined under a microscope. The presence of pus (white blood cells) or germs confirms a mastitis diagnosis.
Bacterial culture. If mastitis is caused by infection and doesn’t respond to standard antibiotics, a bacterial culture may be necessary. The milk will be collected from the mammary gland in a sterile manner and sent to a laboratory. There, the bacteria will be isolated and characterized so that antibiotic sensitivity testing can determine which antibiotic will work best for treatment.
Prognosis for Mastitis
The prognosis for most cases of mastitis is good. With appropriate treatment, symptoms typically resolve within two to three weeks. However, in severe cases or when the dog develops a systemic infection spread through their blood, the prognosis is not as optimistic even with aggressive treatment.
However, severe infections, sepsis, or removal of the afflicted mammary tissue might necessitate longer recuperation times. In addition, despite therapy, the affected breasts may be unable to produce milk, and blood infections can be deadly.
If you suspect that your dog has mastitis, seek expert care as soon as possible to begin treating any infections that may have developed before the disease spreads. Getting treatment for your dog will also aid in the reduction of your dog’s pain or discomfort caused by irritation and swelling.
Nursing Dogs Mastitis May Cause Puppies To Not Gain Weight
If you have a dog that is early in its case of mastitis, you may notice that the pups don’t gain weight if they’re attempting to nurse from an inflamed breast with insufficient milk. If your dog has mastitis, it will be more hesitant to nurse its young as the sickness progresses. Because painful mammary glands become more painful when attempting to feed. As a result, the nursing dog will try to push their puppies away and keep them at a distance.
How Is Mastitis Treated?
If a dog’s milk is not removed frequently enough or if she has an infection, mastitis (an inflammation of the mammary glands) can develop. If left untreated, mastitis can worsen and become severe.
The severity of the disease determines the treatment for mastitis. Hospitalization and IV fluids, as well as pain medication and antibiotics, are required in severe cases. Necrotic (dead) tissue sometimes requires surgical excision to remove it. Antibiotic therapy generally takes 2-3 weeks to finish.
Based on the culture and sensitivity results, chronic mastitis is typically treated. Since it affects both mother and puppies, once the pH of milk or fluid from the gland is expressed, antibiotics are given to the mother until further lab results come back.
It’s critical to understand the age of the pups and whether they’re still nursing since some antibiotics might be harmful to them. Don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian if you believe your dog has mastitis as soon as possible. Treatment early on is crucial for a successful outcome.
Your veterinarian will most likely recommend a combination of therapies. Antibiotics and warm compresses can be used to treat the afflicted teat. The inflamed teat must be milked to alleviate some of the symptoms and help prevent an abscess from developing.
The affected teat should not be used to nurse the puppies. The pups may require formula supplementation while the female is recovering from acute septic mastitis. If puppies do not nurse for three days, milk production will cease.
Outpatient Treatment
Mastitis can be treated at home with pain medications and oral antibiotics. This treatment is ideal since it allows the dog to stay home with her pups.
Hand-milking the infected gland may be advised as a treatment by your vet as this encourages blood flow and will start the healing process. It should be done every six hours to alleviate discomfort.
A compress made from a cabbage leaf might also be suggested to ease discomfort and inflammation. This involves wrapping your dog’s body with a bandage to keep the cabbage leaf in place, but it should be removed before puppies can nurse.
Frequent expression of milk helps to clear the ducts and prevent the accumulation of milk, which can worsen the infection. Hand-milking is too painful for some dogs, so they may be prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help with the pain. Dogs with mastitis should be monitored closely by a veterinarian to ensure that the infection does not progress.
Recovery and Management of Mastitis in Dogs
Their outlook is good if your dog is diagnosed with acute or chronic mastitis. Clinical symptoms should go away after 2-3 weeks as a result of therapy. If the mastitis does not respond to treatment and there is gangrenous mastitis caused by septicemia, the prognosis is poor. The following procedures might assist you in decreasing the incidence of the right of mastitis:
Puppies’ nails should be trimmed to reduce the mother’s risk of wounds and infection.
To avoid sudden and extended milk accumulation, keep an eye on newborns to ensure they are nursing from all glands. Moving the puppies around is OK if neonates aren’t nursing from all the glands.
Keep the location where the mother and little ones are kept dry, clean, and free of jagged edges to prevent a breeding ground for germs.
Change bedding in the nursing area at least 1-2 times each day, as well as cleaning the box daily to reduce germs.
By taking these steps, you can help your dog recover and decrease their chances of developing it in the future.
Mastitis Prevention
You can do several things to help prevent mastitis in your dog.
First, make sure that her nipples are kept clean and dry. Then, if she is nursing, ensure that the puppies are draining her breasts properly.
Second, keep an eye out for any cracked or sore nipples. If you see any, contact your veterinarian.
Third, if your dog has dealt with mastitis before, talk to your veterinarian about ways that you can prevent it from happening again.
Finally, get prompt treatment for infections or injuries in the mammary gland.
Conclusion
Early intervention is essential to treat mastitis in dogs. If you notice any of the signs, such as redness, swelling, or discharge from the dog’s mammary glands, it is essential to consult your veterinarian right away.
The sooner you catch the problem and begin treatment, the less likely it is to become a life-threatening illness. Regular monitoring of nursing mother dogs and their puppies is also crucial to preventing mastitis. By being proactive and vigilant, you can help keep your dogs healthy and happy.
Related topic: Nicotine poisoning in dogs
*photo by borodaty – depositphotos