Mammary Gland Infection

Mastitis is the inflammation of one or more of the mammary glands.  Usually the gland is hot and hard to the touch, reddish-pink/purple and painful.  The animal is likely to be showing signs of illness.  Mastitis commonly occurs while a mother is nursing, however can also occur in unspayed females whether pregnant or not.

Signs of mastitis include:

• depression/lethargy
• anorexia
• fever
• swollen and discolored mammary gland(s)
• purulent discharge from mammary gland(s) that is brownish-red/green/yellow
• reluctance of the mother to care for the babies
• babies are not gaining weight or appear ill

Treatment by a veterinarian is required as soon as possible.  It is important to disallow the babies to continue feeding off the mother.  The milk in the affected glands will be abnormal and can render the babies ill.  The babies will need to be bottle fed formula as the mother will usually require antibiotic treatment that can be harmful to the babies.  For instructions on how to bottle feed puppies and kittens, see the page on Care of Orphans.