About Milk Overproduction
Milk overproduction is known as hypergalactia or hyperlactation. This may happen in bitches during false pregnancies, with small litters, and during weaning. However, some bitches with normal litters can also produce too much milk for their pups.
Some breeders actually cause this but using galactagogues, such as fenugreek, too early in a litter. Milk doesn’t come in for 3-4 days after birth. Until then, bitches produce the thinner “first milk” or colostrum that is essential for healthy puppies but may not cause bitches to bag up or develop significant mammary tissue. Breeders panic and start galactagogues much too soon and as a result, cause an imbalance in milk production and their puppies’ needs.
Hypergalactia can cause several problems, such as it:
- Is uncomfortable for bitches
- Can make nursing difficult for puppies, especially small or weak ones
- Can cause digestive problems in puppies, such as diarrhea, gas, bloating and pain
- Can predispose a bitch to mastitis
- Can be quite messy when bitches leak milk while lying or walking
Signs of Hypergalactia
Signs of hypergalactia include:
Bitch
- Excessive breast growth during pregnancy
- Excessive weight gain
- Persistent or frequent breast fullness indications of breast and/or nipple pain
- Copious milk leakageRecurrent plugged ducts
- Recurrent mastitis
Pups
- Pups, especially small or weak ones, have difficulty achieving a sustained, deep latch
- Refusing to nurse on one or more nipples
- Fussiness while nursing
- Choking, coughing, or unlatching during feedings
- Short feedings
- Gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., spitting up, gas, reflux, or exp
What You Can Do
- DO NOT EXPRESS MILK! All that will do is increase her milk production.
- Reduce the quantity you are feeding. If she is still nursing, cut her food back by 15% for a few days. If she is in a false pregnancy or is weaning her pups, cut her to her maintenance level of food. We do NOT support fasting bitches or removing water to stop milk production.
- Stop using any galactagogues, like fenugreek, oatmeal, folic acid, etc.
- Use cool compresses on her mammary glands unless she is developing mastitis. Cool compresses will make her feel better and are thought to reduce milk production.
- Add sage and/or parsley to her food. We can borrow from the human lactation world and use these safe herbs to reduce milk production. Sage (Salvia Officinalis) and parsley are the most common herbs used to reduce milk supply in women. Both are safe in dogs and often used by long-time breeders. Dosing isn’t well established in dogs so speak to your vet. In the past, we’ve used a heaping teaspoon of dried, rubbed sage with breakfast and dinner, as well as a sprinkling of parsley. Don’t overdo the sage since in high quantities, it is known to have several side effects, including nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. (ref: Treatment of Maternal Hypergalactia)
- Again, we can draw from the human literature and use the homeopathic remedies, Lac caninum 30C, Pulsatilla 30C, and Ricinus communis 30. I don’t use a lot of homeopathic remedies so I’m not sure of the dosing–speak to your vet or other experienced breeders. (ref: Treatment of Maternal Hypergalactia)
- The prescription medication cabergoline, a drug we also use to bring bitches into season can be used to reduce milk production. It is available by prescription through Revival so speak to your vet. The dosing calculator is here.
- Watch for mastitis. If your bitch is producing a lot of milk, check her breasts daily, watching for indications of mastitis such as hardness, redness, heat, or an orange peel appearance to the skin. Though rare, bitches in FPs can get mastitis. If you see any of these signs, take her temperature and go through the Mastitis report.
References
Eglash A. (2014). Treatment of maternal hypergalactia. Breastfeeding medicine : the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, 9(9), 423–425. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2014.0133
Johnson HM, Eglash A, et al. (2020) ABM Clinical Protocol #32: Management of Hyperlactation, BREASTFEEDING MEDICINE 15(3). 10.1089/bfm.2019.29141.hmj
