Dealing with Insufficient Milk for a Lactating Dog's Pu

Postpartum mastitis in dogs refers to a condition where the mother dog's milk production is insufficient or absent after giving birth. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is known as "insufficient lactation" or "lactation deficiency," and it commonly occurs in firsttime mother dogs or older dogs.

Differential Diagnosis and Treatment:

1. Qi and Blood Deficiency Type:

This type is often seen in dogs that were bred too early, suffered from illness before giving birth, were malnourished during pregnancy, are elderly and weak, or have a frail constitution, especially in cases of multiple pregnancies or cesarean sections where excessive bleeding occurred. Symptoms include insufficient milk production, with milk being thin and watery or completely absent, along with depression, slow movement, unresponsiveness to calls, loss of appetite, emaciation, dull coat, pale conjunctiva, and reluctance to nurse puppies. Treatment should focus on tonifying Qi and blood, and promoting lactation.

Prescription:

Codonopsis 5g

Astragalus 6g

Angelica sinensis 2g

Atractylodes 5g

Dioscorea 5g

Eucommia 2g

Dipsacus 2g

Ligusticum 4g

Trachelipus 2g

Coptis 7g

Prunella 4g

Vaccaria 5g

Licorice 2g

This formula includes Astragalus, Codonopsis, Atractylodes, Licorice, and Angelica sinensis to tonify Qi and blood as the main ingredients. Eucommia, Dipsacus, and Ligusticum are used to nourish the liver and kidneys, and to promote the flow of the liver meridian. Coptis, Trachelipus, Prunella, and Vaccaria are used to promote lactation and treat the symptoms. Licorice is added to enhance the efficacy of the formula.

2. Liver Qi Stagnation Type:

This type is often caused by stress before or after giving birth, fighting, losing puppies, or being placed in an unfamiliar environment. It is common in firsttime mothers and dogs with a fiery temperament. Symptoms include insufficient lactation, breast tenderness, or palpable lumps, refusal to eat, restlessness, and barking. The dog may turn its head to one side when called, ignoring the owner or appearing to be in a meditative state. Treatment should focus on soothing the liver and regulating Qi, and promoting lactation using modified Lactogenic Yuquan Powder (from Qing Taishiyuan Prescription).

Prescription:

Angelica sinensis 10g

White Peony 12g

Ligusticum 8g

Rehmannia 10g

Bupleurum 5g

Citrus 6g

Prunella 6g

Trachelipus 6g

Vaccaria 10g

Licorice 3g

This formula includes Angelica sinensis, Ligusticum, and White Peony to nourish blood and promote blood circulation, Bupleurum and Citrus to soothe the liver and regulate Qi, Prunella and Trachelipus to promote lactation and resolve swelling, Vaccaria to promote lactation, and Licorice to tonify Qi and harmonize the formula.

3. Heattoxin Congestion Type:

This type is often caused by unclean breasts, an unclean birthing bed, heattoxin accumulation in the breasts, or excessive nursing force by the puppies, leading to redness, swelling, heat, and pain in the breasts. The mother dog may refuse to nurse or press on the breasts, be unwilling to lie down or walk, and have her hind legs spread out while standing. The milk may decrease and change in color to yellowishbrown or light brown, and may even contain white, stringy, bloody substances. In severe cases, the dog may have a fever, reduced appetite, and depression. Treatment should focus on clearing heat and detoxifying, reducing swelling and resolving boils, and promoting lactation using modified公英散 (from Zhongyishang Ziliao Xue).

Prescription:

Dandelion 10g

Lonicera 7g

Forsythia 5g

丝瓜络 4g

Prunella 7g

Hibiscus 4g

Fritillaria 3g

Strychnos 4g

Chrysanthemum 6g

Viola 5g

Trachelipus 4g

This formula includes Dandelion as the main ingredient for clearing heat and detoxifying, Lonicera, Forsythia, and Hibiscus for additional detoxification,丝瓜络 and Prunella for promoting circulation and reducing swelling, Fritillaria for reducing swelling and resolving boils. The combined effects of these herbs help to clear heat, detoxify, reduce swelling, and resolve boils.

In this case, the dog is not eating or drinking, has a dry nose, appears listless, has no milk, and the diagnosis should be Qi and Blood Deficiency. Treatment should involve tonifying Qi and blood and promoting lactation.