How Reliable Are Laboratory Test When Diagnosing Bitch Mastitis?

Abstract

Canine mastitis represents a major threat for both pups and nursing bitch. If left untreated, it can complicate with neonatal death, sepsis, and mastitis gangrenosa; for this reason quick and accurate diagnosis and treatment initiation are crucial health restoration. Even though mastitis is considered to be an emergency, most of the time it is overlooked. Henceforth, clinicians should be aware of the clinical importance of mastitis and that laboratory assays such as milk pH, cytology, and biochemistry (milk and serum) are of high utility. Furthermore, milk microbiology and susceptibility tests are still important since they bring additional information about the pathogenesis and the treatment possibilities.

Lactation‐related mammary gland pathologies—A neglected emergency in the bitch

“…Laboratory assays show that healthy milk has a slightly acidic pH (<6.8) and a low chloride (Cl − ) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) level (Dzięcioł et al., 2006; Vasiu, Dąbrowski, et al., 2017; Vasiu et al., 2020).…”

“…Milk analysis: an acidic pH reaction (<6.5), with a slightly folded milk CRP level (1.7 μg/ml; Vasiu, Dąbrowski, et al., 2017; Vasiu et al., 2020), and increased numbers of cellular debris, alongside few somatic cells, scattered neutrophils, inactivated macrophages and epithelial cells are present on milk smears (Vasiu, Tăbăran, et al., 2018).…”

“…Usually, the milk is slightly more acidic (<7.3) than the serum, thus weak bases with high lipid solubility antibiotics, like trimethoprim‐sulphadiazine and macrolides are indicated because they reach high milk therapeutic concentrations (Barsanti, 2012; Grundy, 2018; Johnston et al., 2001; Martí, 2009; Root Kustritz, 2010). Under bacterial infections, milk pH becomes more alkaline (>7.4; Vasiu, Dąbrowski, et al., 2017; Vasiu et al., 2020) in which case, beta‐lactam antibiotics may be preferred, since they are effective and safe for both the neonates and the bitch (Barsanti, 2012; Root Kustritz, 2010). On the other hand, some antibiotics such as chloramphenicol, doxycycline, tetracycline or fluoroquinolones appear in reasonable concentrations in the milk regardless of its pH (Grundy, 2018; Martí, 2009).…”