Hi everyone,

I have a nursing bitch who has been a wonderful mother with her first litter so far. But for a few days now, she has been hesitant to nurse her three-week old puppies. After examining her teats, I have found that one of the back two teats is rather hard, which is evident that it is swollen. I have noticed that when the bitch does nurse her pups, the puppies seem to stay away from the hard teat. I have two books all about bitches and their puppies and both say that this may be a condition called caked breasts. I got concerned, but thankfully it isn't a serious problem. Both books said that if the breasts are left alone, they will simply dry up and the problem will leave. Or, they can be milked down several times a day to help relieve pressure for the bitch but also keeps it producing milk to remain full.

My question is, can anyone explain to me how I might go about milking the bitch's swollen teat to help take away some pressure and hopefully help clear up the problem? I would love to learn how to do this so that if it is needed, I can milk the bitch into a bottle and bottle feed her hungry puppies and not have to worry about them not getting enough nutrients. If the problem continues, I will immediately take her to the vet to see what else can be done. Thanks for any help!

-Tara

When this happened to our bitch (mastitis) we were told to keep the pups off, dont milk her and if possible hold a warm flannel onto it. We were advised not to give the pups the milk (incase the milk was infected) and cover it, we used a large square plaster with tape to make sure they stayed off it. I would keep an eye on it, check it regulary to make sure it dosent get hot as she may need a visit to the vets and need anti-biotics. This will be very uncomfortable for her so treat it gently (speaking from experience when i had my own children!) I would probably get her checked out just in case anyway.

HTH

<If the problem continues, I will immediately take her to the vet to see what else can be done. Thanks for any help!>

Take your bitch to the vets as soon as possible. She has mastitis and if it is not treated promptly she could end up with an ulcerated milk gland and you could have a very sick bitch.

snomaes

When my bitch had this, I held a warm damp flannel on the affected breast for a few minutes to ease it (advice given to me in the Maternity ward! ;) ) then got the milk flowing by gently squeezing from near to the body towards the teat. Once the breast is soft again the pups will be able to latch on and feed properly - when it's hard they can't, and it certainly shouldn't be left alone.
:)

I don't know about mastitis in dogs but in cows it can make them quite ill and possibly lose the use of that teat permanently. Also the milk is never given to the calves because of infection. I would see your vet quickly and keep the pups off that teat till then.

Kath.

I can only tell you that when I (personally not bitch) had mastitis I was told to feed the baby more on that side than the other to take the pressure off. It was agony :(

A warm facecloth and gentle squeezing from the body outwards to relieve the pressure might make her more comfortable.

I'd at least ring the vet to see if he can give you any advise without disturbing her and the pups too much.

Good luck :)