Hi, Mum of four week old pups has been very quiet today, not her usual self at all, although still eating as normal. I noticed that one of her teats is bigger in size than the rest. It is a little redder than her other teats and although hard in places,there are more soft than hard places. I put one of the pups to her and she fed him for a while but teat still the same when she shook him off. Now she is not letting the pups anywhere near. Am assuming that this is on the way to being mastitis? I have bathed the teat with a hand hot towel and noticed that their was white milk on her teat (as opposed to any darker colour which I would assume was infection) I tried to attach a pup to try to relieve her but she got upset so didnt try again. Am taking her to the vet in the morning. Is there anything more that I can do to help her? Should I take a pup to the vet with me, in case she recommends that that might be of help to relieve her?

Hold a hot (not scalding but more than tepid) flannel to the teat for a few minutes to soften it and draw off as much milk as you can; do this every hour or two and all should be well. Don't leave it overnight.

Right, will start that now! thank-you.

thanks again for your help. Did what you said and things a little easier this morning but took her to the vet just in case. He gave her a really good going over but confirmed that it was the start of mastitis and luckily I had taken her early. He gave her an antibiotic injection and some tablets for tomorrow onwards. As pups are still only four weeks he thought it best to try to get her to feed them, but that is my dilemma now. She does not want them anywhere near, although when they are in their box she goes to lick them but  have tried to attach a pup to the furthest away from the problem teat but she does not want to know. The question now is, do I "help" her to lay down and put the pups to her, whether she wants to or not.? The vet said to put some tape over the affected teat to stop the pups touching that one. (Easier said than done) Any further advice would be very welcome.
Thanks again for your help, it was just the right thing to do. Still doing the heat and relief thing.

Spot on JG. I've followed this pattern for mastitis and it works a treat.

And me,
I tried the hot flannel, then massaged the teat as hard as my girl would let me then stripped it down from behind the lump & it got the blockage to break down. You could see the yukky stuff come out. Mum seemed to know I was helping. I pup a pup on afterwards for a feed. The lump was completely gone it a day and a half :-)

Oh good news. Pups were seagulling (you know what I mean?? that loud awful crying) They had had their goat's milk and mashed kibble but obviously needed comfort from mum. While my grandaughter was talking to her, I put a pup to her and she let it drink, then another, then she jumped into the box with the other pups and allowed them to feed, albeit standing up. Goodness me, just a simple thing like that can make you so happy, cant it.Such a relief and the teat is back to normal. Thank-you so much everyone!! Feel elated now!! No more seagulls!! All down to you JG.

That's a bit excessive! :-o Happy to have helped, that's all. :-)

Have you made sure the pups nails are nice and short as she may be wary of them being dug into her sore boob, standing up to feed stops the pups pounding on the milk bar.

>Goodness me, just a simple thing like that can make you so happy, cant it.

:-)  :-)  :-)

Smiling here because we all know exactly what you mean!

>

> Have you made sure the pups nails are nice and short

Yes, am keeping on top of those, although dread doing it. lol

You only need to take the tiniest bit off each nail with human nail clippers as they get needle sharp within days, also gets the pups used to having their paws handled for later in life when dog clippers are used.

> That's a bit excessive! :-o Happy to have helped, that's all

Yes, sounded a bit gushing!!, but when you are in a crisis and on your own as I am, and you just type your problem up and someone comes along and just sorts it all out for you, well its flippin great. Hopefully I will be able to do the same for someone else one day.

Must admit am getting more confident re; nails now as it is just that end bit that causes the problem. and yes, lots of touching and holding of paws and ears etc.

>Hopefully I will be able to do the same for someone else one day.

Perfect. :-) :-)

(I didn't mean to sound churlish, just slightly startled! :-D )

Not churlish, you just said it as it was!! My girl is so well now. She came up to get me this morning, led me down to her pups then turned and went back up to bed!!! Lovely to see the little madam back to her normal cheeky self.