Canine gangrenous mastitis: series of three patients

This report describes and compares the clinical presentations of three post-parturient bitches diagnosed with gangrenous mastitis, their treatments and their cost-effectiveness. Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland found mainly in lactating females. While more common in ruminants, gangrenous mastitits is rare in the bitch. They are typically presented with anorexia, hyperthermia, swollen and necrotized mammary tissue. One Sheltie (S), one NewFoundland (NF) and one Boxer (B) were presented at the Veterinary Clinic of University of Liège. The S was in decompensated septic shock 36 hours after ovariohysterectomy on 4 puppies dead during labour. Three crackling mammary glands with patchy blue discoloration were involved. The NF, 14 days post-partum, had stopped milking her pups 3 days earlier because of painfull mammary glands. At admission she was alert with hyperthermia. One left gland was purplish, swollen and indurated but necrosis only appeared 2 days later. The B, 1 month post-partum, 4 days before presentation seemed weak and reluctant to move. At admission, it was prostrated with one open necrotized mammary gland. The S was stabilized then treated with negative wound pressure therapy after progressive debridement and wet to dry bandages. 1 surgery for debridement before closure of the wound sufficed for the NF. The B underwent 2 surgical debridements before closure with a drain left in place 4 more days. The treatment choice depends on the number of mammary glands involved, the patient’s shock status and the evolution of necrosis. Optimal treatments’ choice is based on these criteria and the cost-effectiveness of repeated surgeries and anaesthesia.