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New mom dog's nipple swollen, leaking blood and milk. What to do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Pit Bull Terrier | Female | unspayed | 50 lbs

My dog just had puppies they were born on the 13th and I noticed two days ago that the mother had one of her nipples were hard and swollen so I was helping her by feeding the puppies but I noticed like about 15 minutes ago that it started to leak out really fast blood and milk mixed together and before that I put a hot compress on there too to help her with the swelling and when she stood up it kind of looks like her belly like are swollen to on the left side and I don't know what to do

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on March 23rd, 2018

I would take Minimosa and her puppies into a vet immediately. It sounds like she could be suffering from mastitis, which is a severe infection of the mammary glands. This can be fatal without treatment, which is why it's important she is seen by a vet now. Please take her and her puppies into an ER vet clinic; if there isn't one in your area, there will be a vet on call for emergencies. The information to reach that vet is found on a clinic's answering machine or website. Best of luck!

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