8 causes & proper treatment

Swollen teats in dogs usually occur due to hormonal fluctuations or a (false) pregnancy. In rarer cases, a disease can also be behind it.

In this article you will find out which causes can be responsible for the swollen teats and what you can do for your dog.

Swollen teats in dogs – These are the most common causes

If your dog has swollen teats, this is usually a sign of pregnancy or a hormonal imbalance.

milk shot just before birth false pregnancyor a disease like one mastitis can also be the cause.

A dog has between 6 and 12 teats. The rear teats are often more affected by swelling than the front ones.

The following 8 causes are mostly responsible for your dog having swollen teats:

1. Your dog is pregnant

pregnancy can of course be ruled out in a castrated bitch. If your bitch has made the acquaintance of male dogs during her standing days and you cannot rule out that the dogs have mated, you should go to your veterinarian for a pregnancy test.

With help of a hormone testing pregnancy can be determined from the 20th day of pregnancy.

Signs of pregnancy in dogs

In addition to swollen teats, is your dog irritable, exhibiting altered behavior, increased appetite, and gaining weight? Tiredness and listlessness can also occur. Clear signs of pregnancy in the dog and then it is probably high time for a pregnancy test.

2. Heat – The hormones are going crazy

During heat the bitch’s teats swell through the increased estrogen and progesterone levels at. After the heat, the swelling should go down again.

There are bitches who become one after the heat false pregnancy tend. Bitches begin to show the same signs as pregnant bitches 3 to 5 weeks after heat.

And her body also changes during this time. The teats swell and milk comes in.

The only difference in one false pregnancy the bitch has not taken in, which means that there are no puppies.

3. Mastitis Mammary Inflammation

Both males and females have mammary glands. Thus, both can be affected by mastitis.

Most often, mastitis develops in a bitch while she is nursing her puppies. Her milk ridges are swollen from the milk rush to provide the puppies with milk.

If the milk accumulates, an infection of the teat is encouraged.

In acute septic mastitis, there is often a bacterial inflammation of the mammary gland. This type of mastitis can also affect male dogs and the signs are an altered teat in male dogs too.

Symptoms of mastitis in addition to teat swelling include:

• Fever
• overheat
• redness
• slackness
• pain in the inflamed area
• bloody milk

A mastitis needs a medical treatment at the veterinarian.

4. Allergic reaction – contact dermatitis

Meanwhile, according to statistics, every 5th dog is from one allergy affected.

If your dog comes into contact with the allergy, this can cause swelling in the affected area.

Teats are predestined for this due to their position. If the dog roams somewhere through the undergrowth, the unprotected stomach often comes into contact with things that could irritate it.

The most common triggers for such contact dermatitis include:

• Poisonous plants, grasses and pollen
• Mold
• Parasites such as fleas, grass mites, etc.

Severe itching and redness are the most noticeable symptoms of an allergy. If your dog shows this regularly, you can have an allergy test carried out to be on the safe side.

5. Mammary tumor / mammary tumor

mammary tumors mostly affects bitches from the 9th year of life. Mammary tumors are one of the most common types of tumors and are only malignant in around half of the cases.

In the case of a mammary tumor, not all teats swell, only a few are usually swollen.

Mammary tumors can be recognized by the fact that individual hard knobs are noticeable. Often the area around the affected teat is also affected violet to lilac discolored.

In addition to the noticeable bump, the following symptoms are typical of a mammary tumor:

• weight loss
• touch sensitivity
• nausea and vomiting
• Discharge from the affected teat
• lethargy

If the suspicion of a mammary tumor is confirmed in a bitch, the entire milk bar is often removed immediately.

The earlier this happens, the greater the chance of success for a complete one cure.

6. cyst

A cyst is a cavity, which has formed in the body. Unfortunately, the causes that favor cysts are not known to this day.

Cysts can occur anywhere in the body. Small cysts can go away on their own, but larger ones require surgical removal.

Cysts are accompanied by the following symptoms:

• sudden occurrence
• Circular curvature
• Local swelling

If there is a cyst, your dog will point to your touch no sign of pain.

7. Anemia

If there are too few red blood cells in your dog’s blood, this is referred to as anemia.

Often one arises anemia through a Accidentwhere high and rapid blood loss has occurred.

However, the following diseases usually lead to anemia:

• poisoning
• kidney problem
• Cushing’s Syndrome
• genetics
• parasites
• viral infection

It is important to know here that the swollen teats usually lead to a late reaction belong.

Therefore, the following symptoms should be observed:

• high vital signs
• quick fatigue
• dark chair
• very rapid breathing
• blood in urine/stool
• sudden weight loss
• lethargy

8. Injuries

Since your dog’s stomach is relatively unprotected, injuries to the teats often occur unnoticed.

Partly arises after a Injury one collection out of Water and tissue fluid and thus one or more teats swells.

Most often, such injuries are provoked by:

• insect bites
• constant friction
• injury to objects
• Injuries while fighting
• parasites

Injuries happen relatively often and mostly unnoticed. In the case of a trifle, the treatment with your medicine cabinet is sufficient.

However, if you are afraid of further inflammation, I advise you to visit the vet.

When are swollen teats normal?

female dog

That the teats at a unneutered bitch during the heatduring a pregnancy or at one false pregnancy Swelling is a normal hormonal process.

male

A male dog’s teats usually only swell when he’s sick.

However, red and slightly swollen teats can also occur in a male and a female very heavy physical exertion through the increased blood flow appear.

This is how you can support your dog with swollen teats

If you suspect that your dog is suffering from health problems, you should first consult your veterinarian before you treat him on your own.

Once a diagnosis has been made, appropriate treatment can then be initiated.

Of course, after consultation with your veterinarian, you can treat your dog with medicinal and household remedies.

home remedies

The following home remedies can be found in every household and can help to reduce swelling in the teat.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar not only works antibacterial and anti-inflammatoryit also has an easy cooling Effect.

If your dog has no visible skin injuries, you can treat the affected areas with pure apple cider vinegar poultices several times a day.

Apple cider vinegar is also great for use after a bee or wasp sting.

Quark

Cottage cheese wrap also work anti-inflammatory, pain relieving and especially cooling. In acute situations, I recommend that you put quark wraps on the affected area 3 times a day.

Leave the quark wraps on for 15 to 20 minutes and dispose of the quark after use.

Globules in pseudopregnancy

If your dog tends to have a false pregnancy after the heat, you can come along homeopathy supportive help.

For swollen teats in pseudopregnancy, the use of Pulsatilla D30 globules proven. In the acute phase, administration of 5 to 10 globules 3 times a day is recommended. The treatment should be 7 days.

When should I see a vet?

If you can rule out pregnancy or pseudopregnancy as the cause of your dog’s swollen teats and the swelling lasts more than 2 or 3 days, I advise you to see your vet.

If, in addition to the swelling, there are other serious symptoms such as a change in general well-being, loss of appetite or even lethargy, it is not advisable to wait and see, but to act.

At a suspicion on one mammary tumor should always as soon as possible a veterinarian should be consulted.

The earlier tumor diseases are detected and treated, the greater the chance of recovery.

Conclusion

When a dog has swollen teats, pregnancy is often the first thing to consider.

However, other factors must also be taken into account. From a harmless bee sting to a serious tumor, all of these can contribute to teat swelling.

Have you noticed swollen teats on your dog? Did your dog even have a mammary tumor? Tell us your story by leaving a comment.