bleeding nipples

Question
Hi, I have a boxer bitch that gave birth to a litter of 7 pups one week ago. Something happened and every puppy died. (We are sending one for an autopsy). I called the vet to see about drying out her milk and they said it was a natural process. If nothing is coming out, her body will stop producing. They told me to check her nipples to see if its working. So I checked her nipples and blood is coming out...is this normal? Or is this an infection? (Only comes out when squeezed, like checking for milk)

Answer
Sorry to hear about the loss of your puppies. Yes, something is most definitely wrong; there should never be blood coming out of the nipples! Your bitch obviously has some sort of infection, and that is probably what killed the puppies.

This could be mastitis. http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/breeding/mastitis.htm
Your bitch needs to be examined as soon as possible and probably put on antibiotics.

Cut back on your bitch's food and her milk should dry up shortly.