Mastitis and Mastopathy in Dogs - Symptoms and Treatment

The joy that comes with the birth of puppies from your Toy Terrier and other dog breeds can overshadow the troubles that occur in nursing dogs. And this trouble is called mastitis.

Pregnancy and childbirth weaken the already fragile mother, and her body is susceptible to various diseases. Yes, the owners of a large dog family have more responsibilities. They need to keep an eye on the wriggling puppies, feed the mother on time, and not overlook the developing mastitis.

Mastitis in Dogs. Symptoms.

The postpartum period is one of the most challenging and dangerous for a dog. The intense secretion of milk in the mammary glands is directly related to the development of mastitis. However, this disease is provoked by streptococci and staphylococci.

It is impossible to say definitively that a nursing dog will develop mastitis, as many factors influence the onset of the disease:

• Sharp puppy claws scratch the mother's nipples during feeding, and bacteria that cause inflammation can enter through small wounds.
• When lactation is strong, milk can become stagnant, leading to a kind of blockage (the sphincters of the nipple do not allow milk to flow), causing stagnant mastitis. Milk can also stagnate when the dog gives birth to dead puppies or when the puppies are taken away from the mother too early.
• In cases of unsuccessful pregnancies, when intrauterine decomposition of the fetus begins, infections can enter the body, causing inflammatory processes and intoxication of the body as a whole, and the mammary glands in particular.
• An unkempt, dirty dog lying with puppies on the same rag she gave birth on has a higher chance of developing mastitis.
• High or low temperatures, hormonal changes, stress—all of these can also lead to the onset of mastitis.

Additionally, the manifestation of false pregnancy in a dog almost always triggers mastitis.

Not all types of mastitis can be diagnosed by the dog owner, but it is not difficult to identify the characteristic signs of this disease:

• Redness and swelling of the mammary glands. The nipples feel hot to the touch, and the dog makes it clear that any touch to the glands causes her pain.
• Discharge from the nipple when pressed, with milk mixed with pus that is greenish-brown and grayish in color. Blood may also be present.
• Lethargy of the animal, reduced activity.
• Partial or complete refusal to eat.

Upon discovering mastitis in a dog, try not to panic but to compose yourself. The dog requires complete rest. Remove all products from the dog's diet that stimulate lactation (soups, dairy products, liquid cereals). Before treating mastitis in the dog, the puppies will need to be transitioned to artificial feeding or given to another nursing dog.

Treatment of Early Stage Mastitis in Dogs.

Typically, the treatment of early-stage mastitis in dogs consists of conservative therapy:

• Laser therapy. The veterinarian conducts 3 to 5 sessions using a special laser device. The duration of each session is brief, just a couple of minutes, so it does not cause any discomfort to the animal.
• Antibiotics. Antibiotic medications are prescribed by the veterinarian after a diagnostic examination of the secretory milk discharge, which helps identify the pathogen.
• Novocaine injections. Novocaine blockade is used as a treatment for catarrhal or purulent mastitis. Novocaine is injected around the area affected by mastitis. The blockade is done every three days.
• The use of Mastometrin and Traumatine, which eliminate inflammation and restore the functionality of the endometrium. These medications are administered subcutaneously for three to five days, depending on the course of treatment.

At home, you can alleviate the dog's condition by applying a heating pad, compress, paraffin application, or using a blue lamp on the mammary glands affected by mastitis. You can also use mountain wax (ozokerite). A compress made of ozokerite can warm the deepest layers.

However, keep in mind that heat treatment can only be performed if an abscess has not started. Pus accumulation under the influence of heat may burst, and pus can spread to healthy tissues.

If no positive dynamics in treatment are observed, the question of "how to treat" is resolved through surgical intervention, considering the multiple abscesses that may arise during these days.

Purulent formations are opened by the veterinarian, cleaned, and then dusted with powders (streptocide or tricycline). To ensure that the opened areas heal faster, these spots should be treated with antimicrobial and regenerative ointments.

Mastopathy in Dogs.

Mastopathy is referred to as a benign tumor of the mammary gland. The frequency with which this disease occurs is on the rise. If previously mastopathy was diagnosed in dogs older than 6 years, now the disease has become more common in younger dogs.

Most often, the tumor affects the 4th and 5th pairs of mammary glands, but there are cases of affecting the 2nd and 3rd pairs as well. Mastopathy begins with a single neoplasm. If it is not detected in time and measures are not taken, the tumor rapidly multiplies.

Tip: Mastopathy in dogs that have been sterilized occurs 7 times less frequently.

The cause of neoplasms in the mammary glands is mastitis in pregnant dogs and animals experiencing false pregnancy. Interestingly, mastopathy is rarely diagnosed in dogs that are nursing their offspring.

Mastopathy is determined based on pronounced and secondary symptoms:

• Redness of the skin around the dog's nipples;
• Visible changes in the symmetry of the mammary glands;
• Unexplained enlargement of the mammary glands;
• Hardening of the mammary glands;
• Single hardening of the mammary gland tissues.
• Increased temperature;
• Loss of appetite with increased thirst;
• Apathy;
• Discharge from the nipples, either bloody or purulent, or colored greenish or brown.

The pain in the mammary glands is so severe that the dog whines and whimpers when lying in an uncomfortable position. Precancerous conditions are diagnosed through palpation. Upon feeling the skin around the nipples, a hardening with small "grains" is distinctly felt.

Treatment of Mastopathy in Dogs.

Treatment of mastopathy in dogs often requires surgical intervention or chemotherapy. The final choice of treatment method is determined by the veterinarian based on histological examination.

Although in the early stages, the veterinarian may prescribe medications that suppress hormone synthesis (homeopathic remedies). An indicator for such therapy is an elevated level of estrogen and progesterone, which is revealed through a biochemical blood test.

To prevent a recurrence of mastopathy, veterinarians recommend sterilization of the dog.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is mastitis in dogs?

Mastitis in dogs is inflammation of the mammary glands that often occurs after childbirth due to infection or milk stasis.

What are the symptoms of mastitis in my dog?

Symptoms include redness and swelling of the mammary glands, tenderness upon touch, lethargy, and refusal to eat.

How to treat mastitis in a dog?

Treatment typically includes conservative therapy, such as laser therapy, and addressing the factors causing the disease.

How to prevent mastitis in a dog?

To avoid mastitis, maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of the dog, and avoid nipple injuries during puppy feeding.

What should I do if I notice symptoms of mastitis in my dog?

Do not panic, ensure the dog has rest, and consult a veterinarian for further diagnosis and treatment.