Types
Mastitis in dogs is categorized into two different types.
Acute Septic Mastitis
The female has developed an infection or abscess within a mammary gland and has become very ill. Bacteria have entered the mammary gland and can be fatal if not treated quickly.
Galactostasis
Otherwise referred to as caked breasts, galactostasis occurs during the later stages of pregnancy. The milk can start to accumulate and make the teats painful and distended. The mammary glands are not infected and therefore the female is not ill. This also happens when a female experiences a false pregnancy.
When pregnant, a dog’s body starts going through changes and milk production begins so she can nourish her pups when they are born. The puppies sometimes will scratch the mother’s nipples or the nipples can become cracked. This can allow a bacterial infection to begin in the milk ducts.
Dogs, females and males, can develop mastitis when not pregnant or nursing pups. If this is the case, your dog will need to see your veterinarian immediately. Mastitis that is occurring in a dog that is not nursing puppies can be caused by cancer of the mammary glands and needs urgent attention.
If you suspect that your dog has mastitis, your veterinarian will palpate the teats and may take a sample of the milk in the affected teat. The milk will then be examined under a microscope for the presence of pus and bacteria. A CBC, or complete blood count, may also be performed to determine the severity of the infection.
Your veterinarian may also recommend an ultrasound of the affected teat to locate any abscesses or tumors. A thyroid profile may also be performed to rule out hypothyroidism.
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Acute Septic Mastitis
A combination of treatments will most likely be prescribed by your veterinarian. Treatments can include aggressive antibiotics along with warm compresses applied to the affected teat. The infected teat will need to have the milk expressed to alleviate some of the pain and help prevent an abscess from forming.
Puppies should not be allowed to nurse from the affected teat. The puppies may need to be supplemented with formula while the female is recovering from acute septic mastitis. Just remember that milk production will stop after approximately three days if puppies do not nurse.
Galactostasis
Your veterinarian may require that your dog’s water be withheld for 6-10 hours as well as food being withheld for up to 24 hours. Diuretics may also be prescribed as well as limited food intake. This treatment will not be helpful, and will likely be harmful, if this is not the cause of the problem.
Your dog may try to stimulate the teats by licking in the event of a false pregnancy. This can make it worse and your veterinarian may prescribe a hormonal therapy or a mild sedative to stop the behavior.
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In the event of galactostasis mastitis, your dog is not at immediate risk but should still be examined by your veterinarian. Once hormone levels have become normal once again, the condition should go away.
Acute septic mastitis will require immediate and aggressive treatment to ensure a full recovery. Your veterinarian will set a treatment plan and all follow up visits to make sure that the infection is gone.
When mastitis is caused by something such as cancer, your veterinarian will speak with you regarding available treatments and your dog’s prognosis. Your veterinarian may refer you to a specialist.
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What is mastitis?
Mastitis is a term used to describe inflammation of a mammary gland (breast).
In most cases, mastitis is caused by a bacterial infection. Trauma to the nipple or teat canal can allow bacteria to enter, traveling up into the mammary gland and creating a bacterial infection. Even in the absence of trauma, a female dog living in unsanitary conditions may be exposed to large quantities of bacteria and other irritants, allowing this ascending infection to occur.
Less commonly, mastitis can be observed without evidence of infection. Trauma to the mammary gland or prolonged periods of milk accumulation without milk removal can lead to inflammation within the mammary gland.
Mastitis is most frequently seen in the postpartum period after a dog gives birth. Many cases follow sudden weaning (which can lead to excessive milk accumulation within the gland) or the death of a puppy (leading to decreased milk removal from the glands).
What Causes Mastitis, and How Mastitis Affects Dogs
The word “mastitis” means inflammation of the mammary gland, of which the most common cause is infection.
This can happen when bacteria enter the teat and travel upward into the mammary gland. These bacteria can be those on the surface of the skin, from the puppy’s mouth or from the nest on which the mom lies.
Signs that a dog has mastitis include:
On examining the mother, you might find:
With puppies who are entirely dependent on Mom, anything that affects her health has a knock-on effect on them. Puppies can go downhill quickly, especially if they get cold (pushed away from Mom) or hungry.
Therefore, if a nursing dog’s health is in question, always play it safe and get her checked by a veterinarian.
‼️HOW TO CURE MASTITIS ( Instructions on Warm Towel Compression READ Caption)
A mama dog lying on her side, contentedly nursing her tiny, wiggling puppies, is a heartwarming scene. Mastitis in dogs, though, can make nursing an uncomfortable experience for both mama and her puppies.
Mastitis affects the mammary glands and can quickly worsen. If your dog is pregnant or nursing, take some time to learn about what mastitis looks like and how its diagnosed and treated.
Mastitis is inflammation of the mammary glands within the breast area. It most commonly affects female dogs who have recently given birth. Although uncommon, mastitis can occur in female dogs who are not pregnant but have false pregnancies.
Mastitis is generally classified as acute (quick onset) or chronic (slow onset) and may affect one or multiple mammary glands.
Bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus sp., or Streptococcus sp., are the most common cause of mastitis in dogs. But how do the bacteria get into the mammary gland and cause infection and inflammation?
Bacteria can gain entry in several ways. For example, nipple trauma from a puppys sharp teeth and nails creates an open wound and entryway for bacteria. Also, a dirty birthing environment contains bacteria that can gain entry while a puppy nurses.
Galactostasis is a non-infectious cause of mastitis. It occurs when milk accumulates within the breasts, caused by a sudden stop in weaning, a puppys death, or unequal nursing of the breasts.