Content
- Dog with swollen breast during heat
- pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Dog with swollen breast due to psychological pregnancy
- Dog with breast inflamed by allergy
- Injuries or accidents
- canine mastitis
- Breast neoplasms and cysts (bitch breast tumor)
- Dog with inflamed breast and other symptoms
O breast swelling in bitches it is a visible sign of inflammation, which can be caused by many factors. This does not always mean that the bitch is sick, because her breasts also increase in size during heat, pregnancy and breastfeeding, which are natural stages that an unsterilized female can go through. However, a bitch with an inflamed breast can also be a sign of certain pathologies, such as canine mastitis.
You have one bitch with swollen breast? Remember that it is essential to consult your trusted veterinarian to rule out any pathological causes and check on your furry friend's health status. However, in this article by PeritoAnimal, we will help you understand because your bitch's tits swell, presenting the most frequent causes and treatment possibilities.
Dog with swollen breast during heat
Females that have not been sterilized develop a mild breast inflammation and in the vulva during the estrus period. Breasts may appear more swollen than usual for a few days before and during heat. This swelling usually should not be accompanied by any type of discharge.
It is important to track and record your dog's periods of heat throughout her fertile life. This way, it will be easier to differentiate the swelling of the breasts and the natural bleeding of heat from a possible condition of hematuria (presence of blood in the urine) accompanied by breast inflammation.
pregnancy and breastfeeding
If she had sexual contact with a male during her last fertile period, the bitch with a swollen breast could be a symptom of pregnancy. Female mammals go through large hormonal changes during pregnancy, and these changes are responsible for preparing them for childbirth and the breastfeeding period. As the pregnancy progresses, the bitch with inflamed breast and enlarged to allow the production of milk, and their belly enlarged to allow the growth of their young.
A pregnant bitch must have veterinarian monitoring throughout the pregnancy. It is also important to offer a special diet, with a higher caloric intake and high quality proteins, as well as all the proper care to preserve your health and that of your puppies.
When it's time to give birth, your furry will be physically and mentally prepared to feed your puppies. During the breastfeeding period, the dog's breasts and nipples get bigger and inflamed, but this condition improves as weaning time approaches. Many bitches never regain their original breast size after being mothers. Generally, the breasts are larger and more flaccid than in females who have never had a pregnancy.
Dog with swollen breast due to psychological pregnancy
Pseudocyesis (or psychological pregnancy) is very common among fertile bitches. Typically, the condition manifests itself when a female has had sexual contact with a male, but fertilization has not been completed. However, also can develop without prior mating.
The symptoms of a psychological pregnancy are practically identical to those of a real pregnancy: bitches with a swollen breast, the belly and nipples increase in size and the appetite grows. They also usually produce and eliminate through the breasts a whey that is lighter and thinner than breast milk.So it's not surprising to observe the bitch with swollen breasts after heat, as well as seeing that the bitch has milk but is not pregnant. To prevent this from happening, the best option is sterilization, as the extension of the psychological pregnancy can lead to serious health problems. Having the dog have a cub will not prevent her from experiencing this type of pregnancy again in the future.
Dog with breast inflamed by allergy
Allergies are abnormal or exaggerated immune reactions that the body develops after contact with some substances, foods, hormones, products or pathogens. this reaction starts an inflammatory process which can manifest topically or expand to other regions of the body, and may also affect the respiratory system.
If you used a new product in your furry friend's hygiene, your breasts may have swollen due to an allergic reaction. Flea bites can also, as well as some medications and natural substances such as pollen or mold, cause a more intense allergic process in sensitive areas such as the breasts, eyes and ears. If that's the case, your bitch can feel very itchy, try to scratch yourself or lick your belly with a lot of intensity. In both cases, it is important to suspend the use of any product and take her to the veterinarian to perform some tests for allergens.
Injuries or accidents
If your dog has been in an accident or has been recently beaten, her breasts may swell as a result of the trauma. It is a natural process that allows the injured area to recover. In this case, it is more likely that only one breast is inflamed, as a blow usually generates a topical reaction. It's also possible that you'll spot a bruise or injury near the swollen area.
Again, we remember that it is essential to take your dog to the vet to check her health after a stroke or accident.
canine mastitis
Canine mastitis is a infectious process that affects the breasts of female dogs and cats in a very similar way, causing visible inflammation of the breasts. In addition to the bitch with swollen breasts, affected females usually present large tenderness and pain to touch in the breasts, with the presence of purulent discharge.
Mastitis usually appears at the end of the breastfeeding period or after a psychological pregnancy that has not been adequately treated. The condition progresses quickly and seriously affects the health of the bitch, so it requires immediate medical attention. In addition, it is essential to prevent mastitis by offering proper care during pregnancy or in the face of psychological pregnancy.
Breast neoplasms and cysts (bitch breast tumor)
If, when touching your dog's breasts, you feel some nodule or strange masses, you must go immediately to the veterinary clinic with your furry. Usually, an abnormal palpation of a bitch's breasts reveals breast cysts or tumors, which may be a symptom of cancer. In both cases, immediate medical attention is essential for proper examinations and early diagnosis of the presence of malignant tumors. Remember that an early diagnosis of breast cancer often improves the prognosis of the disease.
Dog with inflamed breast and other symptoms
In general, the most visible sign of breast inflammation in bitches is actually breast enlargement. However, it is important that tutors know and know how to recognize others symptoms that can accompany this condition inflammatory. Below, we will summarize them to facilitate your knowledge:
- Nipple growth;
- Redness on the nipples or across the breast;
- Secretion of whey, breast milk (or pseudo-milk, in the case of psychological pregnancy) or pus;
- Tenderness or pain in the breasts or in the abdominal region (the bitch usually shows discomfort and expression of pain when being touched);
- Nodules or abnormal palpable masses in the breasts.
So if you notice that your dog has an inflamed, red breast, an inflamed nipple, or several swollen breasts, look for an expert immediately.
If the bitch cries a lot and you suspect other causes, the following video may be helpful:
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.