Mastitis in Dogs (Mammary Inflammation) 

How dangerous is mastitis for my dog?

The danger mastitis poses to your dog depends on the severity of the condition.

A mild form of mastitis shows less noticeable symptoms in the mother but more in the puppies. The mortality rate of the puppies increases, and they may develop Toxic Milk Syndrome, where they become sick from toxins formed in the mother’s milk.

If mammary inflammation is treated promptly, it heals within a few days. However, if it advances, mastitis can be dangerous for both the mother and puppies.

Symptoms: How does mastitis manifest in dogs?

Mastitis can vary in severity. Generally, only one mammary complex is affected. The conditions range from initial milk stasis to mild and severe (acute) forms, with complications including abscesses. Depending on the stage, affected animals display various symptoms.

Further signs of the disease

General indications of mammary inflammation include:

• Swelling
• Redness
• Warmth
• Sensitivity to pain
• Functional impairment

Depending on the severity, specific symptoms of mammary inflammation include mild forms where the dog exhibits discomfort, panting, lethargy. The affected mammary area is warm, painful, and enlarged.

In puppies, the mild form is more likely to cause symptoms such as lethargy, increased screaming, diarrhoea, or vomiting.

In the acute/severe form

With the acute or severe form, symptoms like fever, swelling of the mammary area (ranging from red to bluish discoloration, painful, warm), altered secretion from the affected mammary gland (e.g., reddish, flaky, or pus-filled), and pain (e.g., panting, the mother avoiding lying down) can be observed.

The mother may refuse to let the puppies nurse and show signs of drowsiness to apathy and loss of appetite.

Complications

Severe cases often lead to complications such as abscess formation in dogs (a collection of pus in a tissue cavity).

Large abscesses can burst and may need to be surgically removed, which is also the case if the mammary gland’s tissue dies.

Additionally, there might be an increased puppy mortality rate and toxic milk syndrome following the birth (usually between the third and 14th day of life, when puppies get ill from toxins in the mother’s milk). In such cases, the puppies must be weaned from the mother and hand-reared.

When should I see a vet for mastitis?

During pregnancy and nursing, the health of the mother and puppies should be closely monitored daily. Check the temperature and mammary glands once a day. Also, supervise the puppies’ water and food intake and weigh them. As soon as something seems off during the check, contact your vet promptly.

First aid in an emergency: What can I do for mastitis?

For the onset of milk stasis, it is advisable to warm the affected mammary area for ten minutes before the puppies nurse and to gently massage it to stimulate blood circulation.

After nursing, the affected area should be cooled for 20 minutes, for example, with cooling pads or quark. It also helps to frequently have the puppies suckle from the affected area to relieve the milk stasis. During this time, the mother should rest strictly and drink plenty of fluids.

If no improvement occurs, you must see your vet as a thorough examination and medication are essential.

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Diagnosis: How is mastitis detected?

The diagnosis of mastitis can be made based on the dog’s history and a detailed physical examination by the vet.

Additional tests

Moreover, further tests are recommended to select the right medication and initiate treatment more quickly:

• Ultrasound: This can clearly show the altered mammary areas.
• Blood test: This reveals, among other things, the number of red and white blood cells and platelets. An increased number of inflammation cells is typically found in mastitis.
• Milk analysis: The milk may be purulent, thick, brownish, and flaky, or have an altered pH value. It also helps to detect the presence of bacteria (usually Escherichia coli, staphylococci, or streptococci).

Therapy: How is mastitis in dogs treated?

Acute mastitis is very painful for the mother, so she is given painkillers for dogs and anti-inflammatories to alleviate the symptoms.

To identify the correct treatment for the present bacteria, an antibiogram is also created. The vet collects a milk sample for this analysis. Then, an appropriate antibiotic can be selected.

Caution with infected mammary glands

During the acute inflammation, the puppies should not drink from the infected glands. Many bacteria and their toxins are present in the milk, which can cause a lethal blood poisoning/toxic milk syndrome in the puppies.

The newborns only need to be weaned if several glands are affected, the medication administered is not suitable for puppies, or the mother is seriously ill.

How can I support my dog with mastitis?

A dog with mastitis should rest strictly, conserve energy, drink plenty of fluids, and receive high-quality dog food.

You should also regularly milk the infected gland by hand until warmth, pain, swelling, and redness subside. To promote blood circulation, it is sensible to apply warm compresses beforehand and gently massage the affected area.

Cooling compresses or quark packs after milking also alleviate symptoms.

Prognosis: What are the chances of recovery from mastitis?

The chances of recovery in the case of mastitis in dogs are good, provided there is prompt treatment and strict rest. If complications arise, the prognosis can worsen accordingly.

Complications due to abscesses

If an abscess develops from the mastitis, it must be opened and flushed to prevent the skin from dying. For very large abscesses that burst, the affected mammary area is surgically removed.

If the mother has an abscess or necrotic breast tissue, the puppies should be weaned. From three weeks of age, puppies can usually be weaned and hand-reared successfully.

Causes: How does my dog catch mastitis?

Each female dog typically has five mammary glands (sometimes four or six) with an associated teat on each side of the body, meaning that each dog has a total of 8 to 12 teats. These mammary complexes are supplied by blood and lymphatic vessels.

What is mastitis?

An inflammation of the mammary gland is called mastitis, caused by a bacterial infection of one or more glands.

Bacteria as a trigger

The condition primarily occurs during nursing. Less often, it happens in female dogs in the final stages of pregnancy or in connection with a false pregnancy.

Bacteria (mainly Escherichia coli, staphylococci, and/or streptococci) either enter the breast tissue through an injury, during nursing by the puppies, or through the bloodstream.

Milk stasis can promote development

Milk stasis also promotes the development of mammary inflammation. This often occurs when a female dog gives birth to only a few puppies, and they drink too little milk, leading to inadequate emptying of the glands.

Prevention: Can I protect my dog from mastitis?

A clean environment in the whelping box and proper hygiene for both mother and puppies are crucial. The area for the puppies should be regularly cleaned and checked for potential hazards (wood splinters, protruding screws, etc.).

Recommended hygiene measures during pregnancy and nursing

This includes daily renewal of water and food, cleaning bowls, removing food remains, excrement, and urine, cleaning and disinfecting the dog bed and floor, and regularly washing blankets and cushions.

If the puppies’ claws are too long, they should be trimmed.

Does changing the diet help against mastitis?

Ensure the dog has sufficient energy intake during pregnancy and nursing. During this physically demanding phase, the dog requires very high-quality food. There are precise recommendations on the energy density needed for each week.

Sufficient calcium intake is also essential for a smooth birth process and reduces the risk of milk fever. The puppies must consume a sufficient amount of colostrum within the first few hours of life for their immune system to develop optimally.

Is there a vaccine against mastitis in dogs?

There is no specific vaccine against mastitis in dogs. However, regular annual vaccination checks for breeding bitches are still recommended. The Canine Herpesvirus (CHV-1), in particular, can lead to infertility or the so-called fading puppy syndrome.