What antibiotics are good for mastitis

[Jenny Wren]

My dog has developed mastitis.  The vet put her on zeniquin.  She doesnt want to walk.  She is drinking, but not eating.  I did rub some bag balm on her, but she does not want anyone touching her.  She is so swollen, red, and hard.  I tried the warm compresses, I can tell that it hurts her tremendously.  Will the antibiotic dry this all up?

[Arnold L Goldman, D.V.M.]

To: jenny wren
Dear jenny wren,

The right antibiotic for any infection is the one which kills the particular bacteria involved in that particular infection. While it is true that some antibiotics are "broad spectrum", in that they are capable of killing bacteria across the to main classes of bacteria, it is also true that in some body locations and under certain circumstances the ability to kill bacteria may depend on other factors. Mastitis simply describes "infection of the mammary tissue", not a cause or a causative agent.

In a situation like this, it is often a good idea to culture the discharge from a nipple if draining or using a fine needle aspirate if not, so that while an empiric attempt to resolve the infection is going on (started pet on antibiotic) the culture results will tell you whether that antibiotic is likely to be effective or a change will be required. Having said that, Zeniquin is broad spectrum, and if response to therapy is apparent, your doctor may have chosen not to culture. Whether to do so or not is a judgment call,

Bag balm is a skin softener, and will have no direct effect on an infection in the tissues under the skin. If softening the skin makes the dog more comfortable, it will do no harm.

If a mastitis is painful and if it is apparent there is fluid pressure built up int he tissues, it is not uncommon to lance those tissues under general anesthesia to both drain them, and to place a plastic drain to facilitate ongoing drainage. Once drained, the pressure resolves and so does the pain. Please discuss this with your doctor. Also please let us know how it turns out.

Sincerely

Arnold L. Goldman DVM, MS

[Arnold L Goldman, D.V.M.]

Dear jenny wren,

The right antibiotic for any infection is the one which kills the particular bacteria involved in that particular infection. While it is true that some antibiotics are "broad spectrum", in that they are capable of killing bacteria across the to main classes of bacteria, it is also true that in some body locations and under certain circumstances the ability to kill bacteria may depend on other factors. Mastitis simply describes "infection of the mammary tissue", not a cause or a causative agent.

In a situation like this, it is often a good idea to culture the discharge from a nipple if draining or using a fine needle aspirate if not, so that while an empiric attempt to resolve the infection is going on (started pet on antibiotic) the culture results will tell you whether that antibiotic is likely to be effective or a change will be required. Having said that, Zeniquin is broad spectrum, and if response to therapy is apparent, your doctor may have chosen not to culture. Whether to do so or not is a judgment call,

Bag balm is a skin softener, and will have no direct effect on an infection in the tissues under the skin. If softening the skin makes the dog more comfortable, it will do no harm.

If a mastitis is painful and if it is apparent there is fluid pressure built up int he tissues, it is not uncommon to lance those tissues under general anesthesia to both drain them, and to place a plastic drain to facilitate ongoing drainage. Once drained, the pressure resolves and so does the pain. Please discuss this with your doctor. Also please let us know how it turns out.

Sincerely

Arnold L. Goldman DVM, MS

[Jenny Wren]

Thank you so much for the information.  We are so concerned about her.  I hope that she starts to feel better soon.  We are totally exhausted worrying about her and caring for her, and also feeding her pups every 4 hrs. Thank you!