My senior Shih Tzu has black pus around her nipples. Is it serious?

It could be a cyst, mass, or pustule. Have your vet take a look at it to determine the best way to treat. She may need an antibiotic to treat an infection and/or it may need to be removed. Your vet can do an aspirate to help diagnose.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is probably a small abscess or focus of infection. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian. They can prescribe a topical or systemic antibiotic for her which may be enough to treat this if they agree it is an infection. Good luck!

Poor Lady Bug. Since she is not fixed, my biggest concern is cancer. She could have mammary tumors - approximately 50% are benign and the other 50% are malignant. Whether you are talking about her vulva or anus, she could have a mass on the inside that has grown its way toward the orifice so that you can now see them. These can also be benign or malignant but I would strongly recommend to have a vet look at her. Your vet will be able to help you come up with a plan that will best suit you and Lady Bug’s needs and help make her feel better. Your vet will also be able to determine whether surgery is the best option for her or if there are other options depending on what the vet thinks it is. I hope this helps!

Hi ! From the attached pictures it looks like the nipple has turned inwards and as a result there is a bit of infection in the skin surrounding the nipple. You can bathe the area with some salty water, using some cotton wool to clean it. Make a mug of hot water, add a teaspoon of salt and then some cold water to make it lukewarm. Wipe the area gently. You can do this twice a day, using a clean cloth to dry the area afterwards by gently tapping it. I would book a vet check up anyway, as it is important also to feel the area to make sure no other abnormalities are present. Hope this helps !

Since she is not spayed and has gone through heat cycles, she is at a higher risk of mammary cancer. These usually are nodules you can feel along the mammary chain. I would have your vet take a look at the black spot on her nipple. You can always upload up to 3 pictures when submitting a question also. Just from finding a black spot on her nipple or even if you feel a nodule or two along her mammary chain at this point if she is doing well I would not recommend putting her down. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

This looks like it could be an adenoma, or benign growth originating from the glands in the skin. Sometimes adenomas can produce oils that collect at the surface and can be dark brown or black. There are many other skin masses that could look similar, and some might be more serious so I would recommend having your veterinarian take a look in person.

Hi, she is probably suffering with incontinence, do you ever see any urine after she lies down or in the morning after her sleep ? I would also rule out a urinary tract infection with a simple urine test. The incontinence can be easily cured with some medications from your vet. Those areas around her vagina that have turned black are likely secondary to the incontinence and the care from your other dog. I don’t think you should worry about these signs before your holidays but the sooner you get her seen and started on the meds and the more comfortable she will be.