My dog's breasts are hot, hard, engorged after puppies. Mastitis?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | unspayed | 1 year and 5 months old
Hello my dog named Mya, she has puppies 6 weeks old. She has been having issues BF and seems very different skinner and was having very loose stools.. her breast’s are engorged and she doesn’t want to even be around her pups.. the pups are doing great eating soft and hard food so no concern with them Just her.. no blood or pus it’s milk color comes out she is hot to touch and hard. They scratched and bit her a lot
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on March 26th, 2019
Mya could have mastitis, that would cause her mammary glands to be hot to the touch and hard. Mastitis is fatal without treatment, so she needs to see a vet now. Please take her 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.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on February 15th, 2020
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Sandy. I recommend placing the pups on the affected gland to nurse. You can also try to massage the area and try to express milk. Finally, a warm compress such a s a washcloth can help to improve blood flow to the gland. If these measures do not help, the gland becomes more firm, red or she begins to act sick, you need to seek veterinary care right away. If it is possible to see her veterinarian today to have her examined that would be best and give you peace of mind over the weekend. I hope this information helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on February 14th, 2018
In a nursing dog, mastitis is a very common and could be the likely cause of her firm mammary glands. In dogs who aren't spayed, mammary tumors are also common, and that could be another cause of the firm tissue. Given that Ladybuy is nursing, however, mastitis would be my first thought. Without seeing her in person, I can't say for certain, and I do recommend a trip to the vet first thing in the morning. As I'm sure you have read, mastitis is very serious and is fatal without treatment. She needs to be checked out to be sure she doesn't have it. Take her puppies with you to the vet. If she starts vomiting, develops a fever, stops eating, or her mammary glands feel very hot to the touch or become red, rush her into an ER vet right away. Good luck, I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on January 18th, 2018
Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. I would recommend that a veterinarian examine her so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. This looks to be mastitis which is an infection of the mammary gland. The sooner this is treated the better. If it becomes necrotic and worse, she may need to have this surgically treated / removed. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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