Mastitis in dogs: what to do at home

Mastitis in dogs needs veterinary guidance; gentle home support may help while an examination is arranged. It commonly affects a nursing mother and may involve one or several mammary glands. Redness, warmth, swelling, pain, abnormal milk, or a change in the dog's behaviour deserves attention because infection can worsen quickly.

A gland may feel hard, hot, swollen, or tender, and the skin may look red or bruised. Milk can be thick, bloody, yellowish, or contain flakes. The dog may lick the area, avoid nursing, seem restless, or have less interest in food. More serious illness can cause fever, vomiting, weakness, dehydration, or pale gums. A lump is not enough to identify the cause, so examination is needed.

Keep the mother and puppies in a clean, warm area and prevent rough rubbing of the glands. A comfortably warm, clean compress may soothe the area briefly if the dog tolerates it; stop if pain increases. Offer water and food, observe each gland, and note milk changes and nursing behaviour. Do not squeeze forcefully, apply human creams, give human painkillers, or start leftover antibiotics. Ask the veterinarian whether puppies should nurse from an affected gland or be fed another way.

Arrange urgent veterinary assessment for severe pain, a rapidly enlarging or darkening gland, pus or blood, fever, vomiting, marked weakness, refusal of food or water, collapse, or concern that puppies are not feeding. A dog that seems generally unwell should not be managed with home measures alone. Bring medication packaging and notes about when the changes began.

Ask whether the gland needs sampling, which pain relief is safe during nursing, how to care for the skin, and whether the puppies need monitoring or supplemental feeding. Confirm the treatment schedule and the signs that mean the dog should return immediately.