Ultrasonographic Findings of Mastitic and Normal Mammary Gland in Bitches

The mammary gland is very important for the health of the offspring and the mother. It is subjected to multiple pathologies, the most important being mammary tumours and mastitis. The evaluation of mammary gland in bitches is done primarily by clinical exam, but imagistic means of diagnostic became more frequently used, especially when neoplasms are involved. In this context, the aim of this study was to identify the imaging characteristic of inflamed mammary parenchyma and to test the reliability of ultrasound in evaluating canine mastitis. This study involved 12 lactating bitches of different breed and ages included in two research groups: the first group counted in 7 animals that showed clinical signs of mastitis, while the second group had 5 clinically healthy animals, being the control group. All cases diagnosed with mastitis were confirmed by bacteriologic and bacterioscopic studies. This study concluded that mammary glands in bitches can be investigated using ultrasound in grey scale B mode and color Doppler when mastitis is suspected.