Mum has got mastitis, burst a few days ago, she's on .A.B. Vet says to keep pups away permantly and wean early.Have been weaning for a week now they are now 3 weeks old.Would you
eventually introduce the pups back if mum wants them or keep them away full stop.I feel that they should have contact with their mum if she wants them.Should I let her have contact and play time with them in small intervals in the day, or should I let them sleep with her at night.The pups won't be able to have any contact yet for at least another 7-10 days.What have you guys done in this situation.

thanks Paxo

When my bitch got mastitis and had an abscess burst the vet told me NOT to keep the pups away, as if anything it could make things worse -after all she could then get mastitis in more teats. The pups even suckled from the teat with the giant hole next to it as we couldn't prevent it (it looked awful as it flopped and it looked like they would tear it off, but they didn't)  and all were fine, mum healed well. I also spoke to my bitch's breeder and several others in the same breed and they agreed.

My vet told me to take pups away even before it burst which actually I didn't.But once it had burst like you say it was a mess and mum did feed for another night, but then she was so sore and snapped at then I thought it best to remove them.I am not really sure if I did right or wrong but went on my vets advice.

I agree that keeping the pups away could make things worse but maybe the vet said this because of the antibiotics passing through to the puppies (don't know if that would harm them anyway?)

Yes she did say that the milk won't be much good for the pups cos of theA.B. She also said that there was more chance of her getting mastitis again all the time she's feeding them.I am in a bit of a dilemma because I want her to heal but I know she is missing the pups, so not really sure what to do for the best.

I think mum needs to have contact with the pups even if she cannot feed them. I would put an adapted t-shirt on her so that the pups can't get to her teats but she can be with them (equafleece do doggy t-shirts). I think it is vital for their development that they are with their mother.

I had this scenario with my girl and her pups.She had to have abit of metacam and there was NO way she could suckle but she desperately wanted to be with her babies. I actually put my daughters leotard on her(small breed)and let her in with them supervised.

I am going back many years and I know things do change.  But my bitch with mastitis although not an abcess stayed with the pups on the vets advice. Hope it will all work out regards Meg

It would depend on the antibiotics used. Synulox would be quite safe for the pups.

Thanks guys for your advice, I have always believed that pups should be with mum
for as long as they can I don't like taking them away too early unless there's no option.I have noticed that mum has a lot of milk again now, so I hope she don't get mastitis again.She is a lot brighter in herself today so I may chance putting the pups with her for a little while tomorrow but still carry on weaning aswell so at least they can take some of the milk from her.I will just have to see how we go.I will let you know how we are doing.
Paxo