Our puppies are thriving at 8days old,having all gained around 10 ounces.This morning mum was eating her breakfast when I noticed blood dripping,and to my horror discovered a hole the size of a 10p,and 2 of her teats hard and hot.I rang the vet and dashed over,where she had a VERY painful injection and tablets to take away.I'm quite shocked,as she isn't at all poorly in herself and is happy for the pups to suckle.Has anyone else experienced this?

Yes, though it was quite a few years ago. The teat burst and was actually about the size of a tennis ball. After a course of ABs the teat recovered and went back to normal, though it did turn black first (YUCK!) She hasn't had any problems since. Just try to keep the area clean and as dry as possible.

please watch her like a hawk as a friend of mine nearly lost her bitch with the same problem she went down hill very fast.

R

> Just try to keep the area clean and as dry as possible.

In fact hoseing with cold running water is the best way to clean and debride the wound.
Healing can be slowed if the old necrotic tissue is not sloughed off, pockets of pus can form between the healthy and dead tissue. ABs can't get to the infection until a good blood supply is close to the bacteria.

Hoseing needs to be frequent,regular and for at least 5 minutes duration. The results are nothing short of miraculous.

> In fact hoseing with cold running water is the best way to clean and debride the wound.

Just shows that different vets will give different advice, doesn't it ;-) I was told to clean it regularly, but to keep it dry in between times.

I have been advised to use hot flannels regularly on the affected teat,which I have been doing,and this morning she is much more comfortable ,has eaten and drinking well.pups are feeding,but we have weighed them and in 2 days have stayed the same,except for 1 which has lost 5 ounces(still 20 ounces,large breed)They all seem happy and content though,so I'm not worrying.Thankyou all for your replies,it's good to know others have come through it.

I had this happen to me 7 years ago and wouldnt wish it upon my worst enemy. 

My bitch had been doing well she had 5 pups (her first litter) and they were doing really well.  The pups were about two weeks when one morning she kept hiding away behind the sofa and would not come out.  I managed to get her out and when felt her teats one was extremely hard and hot.  The vet advised putting hot flannels on it and trying to massage it and see if it would go down.  It didnt.  That afternoon I took her to the vet who said she had an extremely high temperature and what was mastitis.  They kept her in overnight and put her on a drip.  I then had to try and hand feed the pups who after having mum for so long were not interested.  Mum was allowed home two days later but not to return to the pups.  Luckily within a couple of days they started to lap and all were reared successfully.  Mum was kept away from the pups and milk dried up but affected teat became black and effectively died.  She was left with a hole the size of a small fist underneath and it took a long time to heal and the smell was horrendous.  She did make a full recovery but obviously I did not breed from her again and all the pups are still with us even two ended up in New Zealand.

Just an update on what has happened since the nightmare began Saturday.The first hole closed and healed quickly,but on Monday I noticed an area the size of a saucer above the opposite teat had turned purple and was hard and swollen.I used hot flannels every hour or so on it and an abcess formed.It burst Wednesday night,a horrible mess,the goo just kept pumping out,YUK!!However,the next morning we had a different dog!She is so much happier,has been for a little walk,and eating well,and has another course of ABs from the vet.We have been feeding the pups as mum only has milk to 3 teats now,but they are still suckling from her as well.Last night I really thought we were out of the woods,but when I got up this morning,one of the little ones had died.I'm gutted.

Oh Connie245 I'm so sorry to read this. Try to stay strong - our thoughts are with you.

I'm so sorry for the terrible time you have been having and now to lose a pup
I am sure your bitch is better now the abcess has burst I had mastitis and it is very painfull, my mum had a breast abcess after I was born and still 50+years remembers the pain followed by the relief when it burst, it must be the same for dogs.

I hope the rest of the pups are well.