Breast swelling is a visible sign of inflammation, which can be due to several factors, which does not always mean that the bitch is sick, since her breasts also increase in size during heat, pregnancy and lactation, which are natural steps that cannot pass the sterile female.However, a dog with an inflamed chest may also be a sign of certain pathologies, such as canine mastitis.
Do you have a dog with a swollen chest? Keep in mind that it’s critical to consult your trusted veterinarian to rule out any medical causes and check the health of your four-legged partner, however, in this Animal Expert article we will help you understand why your dog’s breasts swell, presenting the most common causes and treatment options.
- Females that have not been sterilized develop mild inflammation of the breasts and vulva during the period of heat.
- Breasts may appear more swollen than normal a few days before and during heat.
- This inflammation is not usually accompanied by any type of secretion.
It is important to monitor and record the periods of zeal of your dog throughout its fertile life, in this way it will be easier to differentiate the swelling of the breasts and the natural bleeding by heat from a possible condition of hematuria (blood in the urine) accompanied by inflammation of the breasts.
If you had sexual contact with a man during her last fertile period, the dog with a swollen breast may be a symptom of gestation, female mammals experience significant hormonal changes during pregnancy, and these changes are responsible for preparing them for childbirth and breastfeeding.Gestation progresses, it is noticeable that the dog with an enlarged and enlarged breast allows milk production, and its belly expands to allow the growth of its cubs.
A pregnant dog must be supervised by a veterinarian throughout its gestation, it is also important to offer you a special diet, with a higher caloric contribution and high quality protein, in addition to all the appropriate care to preserve your health and that of your puppies.
At the time of delivery, your fur will be physically and mentally prepared to feed your young.During the lactation period, the dog’s breasts and nipples enlarge and inflame, but this condition improves as weathe approaches.Many never return to their original breasts after they become mothers.Breasts are usually larger and softer than in women who have never had a pregnancy.
Pseudocysis (or psychological pregnancy) is very common in fertile women, the condition usually occurs when a woman has had sexual contact with a man, but fertilization is not complete, however, it can also develop without prior mating.
The symptoms of a psychological pregnancy are almost identical to those of a real pregnancy: dogs in the swollen chest, belly and nipples grow and appetite increases, and they tend to produce and eliminate a lighter serum less thick than the breast.Therefore, it is not surprising to see the bitch with swollen breasts after heat, as well as to see that the bitch has milk but is not pregnant.To prevent this from happening, sterilization is the best option, as it prolongs a psychological period.Pregnancy can cause serious health problems. Giving birth will not prevent you from experiencing this type of pregnancy again in the future.
Allergies are abnormal or exaggerated immune reactions that the body develops after contact with certain substances, foods, hormones, products or pathogens; This reaction triggers an inflammatory process that may manifest locally or spread to other areas of the body, which can also affect the respiratory system.
If you’ve used a new hygiene product for your four-legged friend, her breasts may have swollen due to an allergic reaction. Flea bites can also, along with certain medications and natural substances, such as pollen or mold, cause a more intense allergic process in sensitive areas, such as the sinuses, eyes and ears. If this is the case, your dog may be very itchy, try scratching or licking his belly too hard. In any case, it is important to stop using any product and take it to the vet for certain allergen tests.
If your dog has had an accident or has been hit recently, the breasts can swell as a result of trauma, it is a natural process that allows the injured area to recover, in this case it is more likely that a single breast is inflamed, since a blow usually generates a topical reaction.You may also detect a bruise or injury near the inflamed area.
Again, we remind you that it is essential to take your dog to the veterinarian to monitor his health after a stroke or accident.
Canine mastitis is an infectious process that affects very similarly to the breasts of dogs and cats, generating visible inflammation of the breasts. In addition to the dog with the swollen breast, the affected females usually have a high sensitivity and pain when contact with the breast, with the presence of purulent secretions.
Mastitis usually occurs at the end of the lactation period or after a psychological pregnancy that has not been adequately treated, the disease progresses rapidly and severely affects the health of the dog, so it requires immediate medical attention, in addition, it is essential to prevent it.provide adequate care during pregnancy or a psychological pregnancy.
If when touching your dog’s breasts you feel lumps or strange masses, you should immediately go to the veterinary clinic with your coat, in general, an abnormal palpation on a dog’s breasts reveals breast cysts or tumors, which can be a symptom of Cancer. In both cases, immediate medical attention is required to carry out the appropriate tests and for an early diagnosis of the presence of malignant tumors. It should be borne in mind that early diagnosis of breast cancer generally improves the prognosis of the disease.
Usually, the most visible sign of breast inflammation is actually an increase in breasts, however, it is important that guardians know and recognize other symptoms that may accompany this inflammatory condition, below, we will summarize them to facilitate their knowledge:
Therefore, if you notice that your dog has an inflamed red breast, an inflamed nipple or multiple swollen breasts, consult a specialist immediately.
If the dog cries a lot and suspects other causes, the following video may be helpful:
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any type of diagnosis, we suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read articles similar to Dog with a Swollen Chest: Causes and Treatments, we recommend that you visit our Infectious Diseases section.