Mastitis is inflammation of the mammary gland, usually from bacterial infection, and it is seen most often in bitches in the weeks after whelping. It can also develop in a non-pregnant bitch that is producing milk during pseudopregnancy. Severity ranges from a quiet infection that shows up only as poorly growing puppies to gangrenous mastitis with septic shock, so it is a problem for the dam and the litter at the same time.
Key facts
Mastitis at a glance- Species and system: dogs (also cats); reproductive system, mammary gland.
- Who: postpartum lactating bitches, and non-pregnant bitches with milk production (galactorrhea), as in pseudopregnancy.
- Cause: bacteria that are part of the bitch's own skin flora, mainly Staphylococcus spp. (S. aureus is the most common isolate), Escherichia coli and Streptococcus spp.
- Routes: up the teat canal during nursing or after teat trauma, or by blood-borne spread.
- Classic presentation: a recently whelped bitch with fever and anorexia, one or more firm, hot, painful glands, abnormal milk and less interest in her puppies.
- How common: a systematic review quotes a prevalence of 0.71% in bitches.
- Zoonotic or reportable: no.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 6 tables, 2 figures, 3 self-test questions and 12 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
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