Hi all,

Does anybody wash the teats of their bitch while nursing? It is not something I have done in the past but having experienced a nasty case of mastitis in the last litter we had I want to do everything I can to prevent it.

I know the book of the bitch recommends tcp? Has anyone tried this? I'm quite wary of putting anything on teats that puppies will suckle off. Have also thought of salt water,collodial silver,chamomile tea for it's anti bacterial properties, any other suggestions?

Many thanks

Ali

Just regular changing of bedding and no chemical wash down ever.

I don't think I like the idea of TCP for the pups to suck.  I have never washed teats unless a bitch had a problem.  I don't see the need to interfere when my bitches have pups permanently attached at first!

If you really must, just use warm water.  I only ever had mastitis once in 35 years.

I have a girl who is prone to mastitis but just get antibiotics as a precaution. Don't wash the teats.

I wash her daily with tea tree oil in water from a week before due date as suggested by my mentor.

As pups are reliant on there sense of smell to find mums teats, the last thing you want to do is mask it with any kind of different smell on the teat area. There is or certainly shouldnt be any need to wash her udder. Mastitis is a build up of milk not extracted, so you just need to keep your eye on that.

Thankyou for the replies....well,she whelped last night...10 healthy pups and I have not washed her with anything apart from some warm water while I was cleaning her up afterwards.

Does anyone have any ideas on something to put on sore nipples?...a couple of them are looking a bit sore already. I am so worried about her going down with mastitis again,it was very sudden and aggressive and the vet thought it was because she had 12 pups and her nipples were cracked allowing bacteria in.

Willing to try anything to prevent her going through that again, have already got aloe vera gel but wondered if anyone had any other safe ideas,

Many thanks

Ali

I find aloe vera is great - put it on sore teats after pups have suckled, rub in and they find it very soothing...

I have used Vaseline, as said Aloe Vera is soothing.  There is something called Bag balm used cows/ewes etc, which I have seen in our horse feed shop.

Lansinoh is what midwife told me is the best product to use(you can buy tescos etc baby section) and it is safe for baby to suckle without need to wash off.
Worked a treat... This is for humans :) can't see it being not suitable for dogs.

Great,thanks so much.....sending hubby out in the morning.....will try a bit Vaseline on her in the meantime.

> Worked a treat... This is for humans :-) can't see it being not suitable for dogs

I had a bitch with a very sore vulva, caused by over enthusiastic cleaning, so my vet thought.  Rather than giving me something for it, he sent me off to the chemist for something that is used for nappy rash. Matanium, or something like that.  It worked really well, so I think the same as Noora.

Lansinoh is fantastic.....will always keep this for nursing bitches now...really has taken the soreness away and it sounds safe for ingestion if it is safe for newborns.....thankyou :-)