Search Results
17 results for “mastitis”
Mastitis in Dogs and Cats
Mastitis is acute or chronic inflammation of the mammary gland from infection, often during lactation or from hormonal imbalance in older pets. Signs include red, swollen, painful glands and fever; it needs prompt antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory treatment to avoid gland loss.
My nursing cat’s nipples are hot and she won’t let the kittens nurse—is it mastitis?
Likely mastitis—hot, painful, swollen mammary glands, discharge, excessive licking. Severity guides treatment, so a vet exam is needed; usually antibiotics plus glucocorticoids, with drain-and-flush if abscessed.
Can an Older Cat Have Surgery for Pyometra?
Pyometra is a life-threatening uterine infection in cats; surgery (ovariohysterectomy) is the definitive cure for both open and closed types. In seniors, higher anesthesia and comorbidity risk means the decision hinges on the cat's health—not age alone—with conservative hormone therapy as a last resort. Spaying is the best prevention.
What happens if a cat is not spayed or neutered?
Unspayed females face higher risks of false pregnancy, mastitis, mammary tumors, pyometra and ovarian cysts, and yowl loudly in heat. Unneutered males spray, try to escape, lose appetite and may develop urinary blockage. Spay or neuter after the first heat, around 6 to 8 months.
How to Handle a Dog with Engorged Milk (Mammary Congestion)
Mild engorgement eases if the puppies nurse often to keep milk flowing; if there are too few or they can't suck well, hand-express or use a pump gently. For hard lumps, massage the gland and apply a warm towel for 10-15 minutes daily. If redness, heat, pain, or discharge appear (mastitis), see a vet promptly for antibiotics or drainage.
How to Tell if Your Dog Is Producing Enough Milk
Newborn puppies depend on their mother's milk for nutrition and early immunity, yet some dams simply don't produce enough. You can judge supply by the puppies' round, content bellies, the dam's full and slightly sagging breasts, her calm willingness to nurse, and whether milk can be expressed by hand. When supply runs short, warm compresses, gentle udder massage, and a protein-rich diet help stimulate lactation, though mastitis requires a vet.
My dog only nurses one of her two puppies after weaning — why and what to do?
A mother may reject a weak or painful puppy; hand-feed the rejected one and mask its scent with the mother's smell.
What should I do if my cat is engorged with milk?
Lower protein in the diet to reduce supply, hand-express excess milk, and warm-compress the breasts. If severe or unresolved, check for mastitis at the vet.
What Is Canine Brucellosis
Canine brucellosis is a contagious bacterial infection of dogs caused by Brucella canis. It is best known for causing abortion, infertility, and hidden inflammation in many tissues, and most infections are silent. The greatest risk comes from infected pregnant females, which shed huge numbers of bacteria in the fetus, fluids, and afterbirth at 40-50 days of pregnancy. The disease can also infect people, so strict hygiene is essential. Diagnosis combines bacterial culture with blood tests, and affected dogs are usually isolated or euthanized; breeding stock should be tested before mating to keep the infection out of a kennel.
Postpartum Care for Mother Cats
Cat birth is long and exhausting, leaving the mother weak and far more vulnerable to disease. Poor aftercare can lead to uterine problems or lasting complications, so postpartum care matters. Within two hours of delivery, observe quietly without disturbing her or the kittens. Then focus on three pillars: nutritious food (more protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals, plus broths and milk), a calm, clean, warm environment with a disinfected nest, and vigilance for uterine disease and mastitis—seeing a vet at the first sign of trouble.