Kirislin Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 (edited) My friend with the iggy bitch and 3 week old pups said she might be developing mastits in her unused teats, the 2 front ones. He said she isn't sore and they're not hot yet but he's noticed they've become lumpier. She is already on ABs as of yesterday for an unrelated infection. Is there anything else he should be doing for her? I've heard of cabbage leaves but not sure how they're used. I've heard raw, cooked and frozen now from different sources, so of course I come to good old DOL for information I can rely on. Edited August 25, 2013 by Kirislin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra777 Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 Gently massage in light kneeding sort of motion from the body towards the nipple, this may or may not result in expressing some milk but if they're "unused" then possibly not. Expressing does tend to encourage the bitch to produce more milk but in these cases I personally think this is the lesser of two evils. Warm compress (wash cloth?) can help before you start the massage if it's really tight and lumpy. I have used cold (not frozen) uncooked cabbage leaves on mastitis, straight out of the fridge on to the boob and wrap, leave in place for an hour or so. The important part seemed to be to get the leaf sort of wrapped right around the affected breast, like a bra cup so not sure a whole leaf would be needed for an Iggy :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRG Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 (edited) Agree. This is how I have used cabbage leaves and also cold compresses. Have not tried massage. Edited August 25, 2013 by JRG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 massage to gently break up any lumps and cabbage leaf over the affected area, get it to stay on with some vet wrap around the body Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 perhaps the ducts are just drying up..and not producing ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirislin Posted August 25, 2013 Author Share Posted August 25, 2013 thanks everyone for your suggestions. Yes Perse, I've wondered about that too. I'll be seeing her tomorrow, although I suspect if it is mastitis she'll have seen the vet by then so we'll know for sure and will have a course of treatment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 Lactating bitches should be checked several times a day and any lumps that are forming in the teats, need to be massaged out immediately. This prevents mastitis starting. Even if it becomes mastitis, massage is the best way to stop it getting worse. Also make sure the puppies feed from all teats evenly. Some bitches always lie on one side and unless they have a large litter the puppies will always drink from the easiest side to reach. Bitches who do this should be made to turn around and lie on their other side at regular intervals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirislin Posted August 27, 2013 Author Share Posted August 27, 2013 I saw her today and I dont think it's mastitis. I'm no expert but they aren't sore or inflamed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christina Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 When my little dog got hard & lumpy when only nursing one puppy I got a damp warm flannel & put it on the lumpy teat every hour or so. Had a hot water bottle on my lap so I could keep warming the flannel instead of jumping up to the sink. Settled it down quite quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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