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Mastitis aka Blue Breasts aka Lactation Infection
(c) Gryph- if you repost this article, please post with a link back to my website.
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Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary glands and can be a serious condition which requires prompt treatment so that the rabbit does not deteriorate. It's much more common in lactating does or does who have experienced a pseudopregnancy (false pregnancy). In very rare occasions, mastitis can occur in male rabbits. Mastitis is not only painful for a nursing doe, but it's also dangerous for the kits. If they are unable to feed they will not survive. If they are able to feed, the milk they drink may be infected and the bacteria can be passed on to the litter and could be fatal to their still-developing immune system. Be cautious fostering kits from a mastitis-affected doe to another doe, as they can pass the bacteria on to the new doe while nursing.
The cause of mastitis is believed to usually be one of two strains of bacteria, either Staphylococcus or Streptococci; however, there are believed to be two main types of mastitis in rabbits.
The cause of mastitis is believed to usually be one of two strains of bacteria, either Staphylococcus or Streptococci; however, there are believed to be two main types of mastitis in rabbits.
Septic Mastitis
Septic Mastitis is caused by infection from bacteria. The lactating glands can become infected and the bacteria can spread to other parts of the body. When a doe gets pregnant, hormone changes make her mammary glands (located on the breast and around the nipples) to become enlarged so that kits can feed from them. If the milk cannot pass and the kits still try to feed, that can cause trauma to the breast tissue which can allow bacteria to get into the mammary glands. Cracks in the doe's nipples can also increase the possibility of contracting mastitis. Poor hygiene in the environment is also thought to be a contributing factor. Mastitis can also occur is a doe has excessive milk and loses the litter. Symptoms of mastitis include hot, swollen, firm and painful mammary glands, fever, anorexia, depression and lethargy. If a doe develops mastitis and is nursing a litter, she is likely to reject her kits due to the pain of the litter attempting to feed. Since hygiene is an important factor for septic mastitis, there is a greater risk to rabbits kept in colonies or large groups.
Symptoms of septic mastitis:
Symptoms of septic mastitis:
- Weight loss
- Pain
- Inflamed mammary glands
- Discoloration of nipples and breasts
- Excess thirst
- Dehydration
- Death of the kits
Cystic Mastitis
Cystic Mastitis is caused by cysts developing underneath the skin in the breast tissue of the rabbit. These cysts can be benign, but after pregnancy they can prevent the proper flow of milk during lactation.
Symptoms of cystic mastitis:
Symptoms of cystic mastitis:
- Weight loss
- Dehydration
- Blood in urine
- Lumps in the breast tissue
- Fever
Treatment
Treatment usually includes antibiotics (prescribed by a vet), warm poultices on the affected glands, and syringe feeding if they are not eating. I recommend chamomile compresses- you can take a chamomile tea bag and steep it for a minute in hot water, then let it cool until it's comfortable to touch. Squeeze most but not all of the water out (think damp not drippy) and hold the tea bag over the inflamed mammary gland for several minutes. Chamomile has natural healing properties and is a natural pain reliever. In extreme cases, expression of the pus built up from infection and/or vet removal of mammary glands are necessary.
