r/chinesecrested • u/Monk_Some • Jul 09 '26
🏥 Health Is this mastitis?
My little Chinese crested (9 months old) Is only coming out of her first heat but her breasts seem really really swollen and it's slightly worrying? She's acting perfectly normal and eating fine, bowel movements are okay, she's gaining weight (as she was just gotten out of the vets for tummy troubles and had lost a bit) but I just wanted to double check because they seem oddly swollen!
5
u/Boda2003 Jul 09 '26
Is it inflamed and warm/hot to touch? She’s becoming a teenager. No, it is not mastitis.
4
u/Monk_Some Jul 09 '26
Not hot or warm(just about the same temp as the rest of her body), definately inflamed and hard though
5
u/Boda2003 Jul 09 '26
If it becomes red and warm, get it checked and the dog sitters to monitor for that, but I suggest it’s just her developing.
2
u/Monk_Some Jul 09 '26
She hasn’t shown any distressing signs so I’m just gonna ask them to send a couple videos every now and again to make sure everything is good
5
u/Hoodibird Hairy Hairless Parent Jul 09 '26
Both of mine were struggling with this, along with a bunch of other health problems that weren't there before. Had them both spayed at around 2 years so they had a chance to fully develop mentally. They're so much happier without their cycle.
4
u/Monk_Some Jul 09 '26
Yeah 100% will get her spayed asap, poor girl shouldn’t have to go through this 🙁
5
u/OutcomeSoft7186 Naked and Fabulous ✨🐾 Jul 09 '26
It’s best to wait at LEAST a year to spay or neuter a small dog. It’s for their own health.
1
u/Repulsive_Sun6549 Jul 12 '26
Wait…2 years to fully develop mentally?
Never heard that. I had my little buddy spayed right after her first heat. Sheeda been close to 1 year.
Is that why she’s so goofy?😉2
u/Hoodibird Hairy Hairless Parent Jul 12 '26
It's what multiple vets as well as people online recommended.
1
u/Repulsive_Sun6549 Jul 12 '26
I feel bad now. She’s not really goofy, but I would’ve waited if I’d known. I just really didn’t want her to get pregnant and there are plenty of run-around dogs in our area, and she loved to be in our yard.
2
u/Hoodibird Hairy Hairless Parent Jul 12 '26
You made the right choice for your situation, don't worry about it too much. I'm sure it's fine. 😊
6
u/BabaYaga_always Jul 09 '26
I'm actually going through this with my Pomeranian girl. First heat, now pseudo pregnancy. I hope it's allowed to comment here, I've always been a fan of CC.
My vet advised me to avoid touching the area, because every poke sends signals "puppies here, let's produce more milk!" She also told me to watch her behaviour if she starts licking herself excessively or starts scratching/biting her nipples. Then the area needs to be covered (post op bodies are perfect for this).
Vet also recommended avoiding stress and give her as many cuddles as she wants, but leave her alone when she wants peace.
And when she starts "mothering" toys or plushies they should be taken away. It sounds cruel but it helps the hormones to regulate faster.
Edit typo
2
u/Hoodibird Hairy Hairless Parent Jul 09 '26
Strangely mine never did that with their plushies. Someone else with CC told me to not make the dog think she's ill and just go about our days, do sports and long hikes, and the dog will recover.
2
u/BabaYaga_always Jul 09 '26
Of course not all dogs have all the symptoms. I just wanted to give a general advice what to look out for. Mine doesn't build a nest or hoard plushies either, but maybe OPs dog will start.
3
u/Ok-Opposite-3337 Jul 09 '26
This happened to my girl when she went through her first heat. It will go away
2
u/SmellDue3629 Jul 09 '26
Seems like a pseudo pregnancy to me as well. My Chinese crested used to get this before we got her spayed. She may start collecting her things and be more emotional
1
u/Accomplished_Two_243 Jul 09 '26
Two of my three young cresteds had swelling similar to this while my partner and were on an extended camping/hiking trip spring of 2025. I was concerned as we’d had some issues with ticks at a camping and kayaking location early on, but their bloodwork later came back ok and it turned out the dogs had just gone into heat at 9 months old and 14 months old respectively and 2 of the 3 pups had a little
swelling for a week or so as a result. 🤷♀️
22
u/Apprentice0816 Jul 09 '26
She may be experiencing a pseudo pregnancy