I'm concerned about new mom..
 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------I POSTED THIS IN THE SICK AND INJURED THREAD AS WELL JUST IN CASE------

I'm sorry if this is not a true sick or emergency issue, but I am very worried about my gal and have never been through this before so I am looking for some advice.

She had pups on Dec 5 and just this past week has basically stopped feeding the pups for more than a few seconds even...Well I was away all day and I just returned home to find her breasts...belly area is really puffy and rather hard at the same time...It wasn't like that this morning I took pictures to try and explain....I don't know what is normal for when they stop feeding so I am concerned.

Anyone out there.....anyone?

Have pics downloaded....She just feels so solid now ....She's not showing any discomfort when I touch her though....I have no idea if this is normal or not :(

I wish I could be of more help but Ive never experinced Mastitis...but if this may sound like what she has she needs to see your vet right away...

Canine Mastitis

Canine Mastitis is an infection which attacks the mammary glands in lactating bitches, usually occurring a few weeks after whelping has taken place. The mammary canal becomes infected causing inflammation, this is a vicious circle as the milk needs to flow to flush out the infection but the inflammation prohibits this from happening and is aggravated when there are insufficient puppies feeding for the amount of milk being produced, also if puppies have been weaned to soon or removed from the bitch abruptly.

This infection though can occur at anytime so it is important to check your bitch at very regular intervals, making sure that all areas of her nipples or teats are soft and supple, be aware of any red or hardening areas and any noticeable tenderness shown by your bitch, as the first sign of any of these symptoms contact your Veterinary Surgeon immediately. If left untreated this infection may develop and rupture out of the side of the infected area causing long term problems for your bitch, and possibly prevent her from producing milk in this area of her breast again.

please keep us posted

Thanks...I have a call in to the vet......No one answered, but I left a message.
I go into work at 7am though...Not sure what there procedure is for Sunday ...I'm hoping I hear something soon.

My Trini had Mastitis about 1 week after she had her pups. Hers was not infected though. Her breasts were just engorged, hard and lumpy... The vet gave her antibiotics in case she would develop infection but it all cleared up. He also told me to apply warm compresses and I think they really helped.

Good luck with her...I would definately go to the vet :p

Have you checked for fever and is she sluggish? She may just be engorged from halting nursing so suddenly. Try the warm compresses and gently express some milk from each teat, make sure you have a hand towel handy. Emptying even a small amout of the milk will give her releif. If there is no sign of infection (fever, lethargy) you might want to encourage her to nurse just a bit once she is not so engorged.

Any news!? Hope she is OK.

ME TOO !! that looks painful to me ....I hope she's going to be ok

My Zoe is doing the same thing.Her is just in one.The vet said she had a blocked duct where the puppies weren't nursing on that teat.I have been using warm compresses and expressing the milk my self,so far it is helping.
She said if her skin around the teat becomes red/purple and the milk comes out a yellowish color to bring her in.And we would have to put her on antibiotics.
Sounds like your female is just engorged.Have you talked to your vet yet?

My Katie got a little like that after she had her puppies and her milk came in. The puppies were not using all the teats and we had to express some from them. It sounds like she is just engorged from trying to wean them? I would try warm compresses and express a little milk and see if that helps her. Then see if she will let the pups suckle a little. She is probably sore and that may be why she is not letting them. Are the pups eating food well now? I would also check her temp. If it is up she may be getting an infection that would require some antibiotics. Let us know how she is doing, the poor baby definitely looks sore!

Thanks So Much
 

When I noticed that Miney was still running and playing...No temp I decided to use some of the great advice given here and the other thread I had started...

Thanks so much for the response EVERYONE.....I'm sorry it took me so long to get back...MINEY is back to normal I did the warm compress....massage...helped her express milk......and was even able to get the pups to nurse.....The Vet did finally call me back after I started to use the great advice given here, I told her what I was trying and she said try that for the rest of the evening and see how it helps...It all worked wonderful I can't thank you all enough really....
__________________

I am so glad she is okay!!!!!

so very happy everything turned out for you . This site is the best! And faster than a vet.... LOL:animal36

suggestions work!!!
 

Thank you I just had the same thing happen to my Bridgette. 2nd wk since delivery and mammary gland are hard and swollen so I am trying warm and cool compresses and had her stand in a bath tub of cool water and used a little Bag Balm to reduce the size and it is working:woof: :woof: