Fluid In Mammaray Glands

[Kalecho]

I have asked about this on another forum, no replies as of yet, so I've decided to ask here, hopefully someone might have a little insight on this.
My girl Echo has something that I've never seen before, her puppies are almost 12 weeks old now and she still has two mammary glands next to each other that are filled. I can't get it to drain even with a warm compress, I had her to the vet about two weeks ago, they aspirated a bloody fluid out, the vet said she wasn't concerned about cancer or anything like that, she thought that we might be dealing with a late mastitis even though the mammary glands are soft and not hot. She's been on Clavamox and a non steroidal anti-inflammatory, she has no fever, she feels great, the mammary glands are not hot to the touch and still soft they just look filled. Has anyone seen anything like this? I put in a call to the vet that saw her, waiting for a call back. I'm thinking about getting a second opinion. I've seen mastitis but nothing like this so long after drying up. Any ideas?

[Elaine]

I have never dealt with this in dogs, but I have some experience in humans... (I breast fed my daughter, for two years... don’t even ask)... as I recall from personal experience, as long as there is no infection or fever, you simply have to leave them completely alone. You might call the Le Leche League near you, they will know more about breast feeding and breasts then Hugh Hefner or any vet. :) My guess would be to leave her mammary glands totally and completely alone... do not touch or massage them.

[dobesign]

Sometimes, after an infection or trauma or irritation, plasma/serum seeps into and collects in a space. It's called a seroma (which is NOT cancer even though it sounds like it). It is bloody or yellow tinged, and after you draw out a bunch, it just refills shortly (minutes or days latre) after. If there is no infection, it could be that she has had some small venous rupture secondary to an infection, and perhaps what might help would be to compression wrap it. But do consult your vet on proper technique, as wrong bandaging can actually exacerbate the initial injury. I'm probably dead wrong, but it never hurts to try!:o

[Elaine]

. I'm probably dead wrong, but it never hurts to try!:o
Actually, it hurts like hell to try :p ... but I had missed the part above about the blood... that is not something I have ever experienced.

[Kalecho]

Thanks for the input, I'm thinking maybe leave them totally alone for a few weeks and see what they look like after that. I'm not worried about her at all since they are soft and not hot. It's just annoying, I'd like to get this girl back in the ring, she needs majors, very frustrating. Thanks again for the help.

[Athy]

I have a red girl who used to get completely filled up with milk and all poochy in her boobs due to false pregnancy. I used to give her a parsley infusion to bring the swelling down and end the false pregnancy. I wonder if the same thing might work for your girl? Different situation (it was a real pregnancy!) but same out come (puffy boobs).


Athy

[Kalecho]

Thanks Athy for the suggestion, I do remember doing that years ago for one of my girls that had a false pregnancy. I had sprinkled parsely on her food, is that what you did? Or is there something more I need to do?

[Athy]

I think you can just sprinkle it on. I made a parsley infusion (boiled water, threw fresh parsley in, let it steep 10 minutes) then poured the liquid over her food and in her water.

Is Eve Auch on this forum? She gave me the suggestion originally, she might know what is the best approach.