Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My dog's breast swells after heat, then goes down. What is it?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Rhodesian Ridgeback | Female | unspayed | 11 years and 3 months old

One of my dogs breast keeps swelling after every season and she drinks lots of water .. after a couple of weeks it goes down again what could this be

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr Stafford, BVetMed, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on June 22nd, 2017

In an older dog a swelling like this around the teat is most often a mammary lump. 50% are benign and 50% cancerous in dogs. They can be closely linked to hormones hence the fluctuation in size. Other causes would be mastitis or mammary development, but this photo does look like a lump. It can be tested by the vet to know what sort it is.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr Stafford, BVetMed, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on June 22nd, 2017
Try not to worry too much! Mammary swelling is a generalised swelling so you'll feel it consistently over the teat, it has a firm but malleable consistency. Mammary lumps tend to be more prominent and harder.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Elizabeth
Veterinarian
Published on February 16th, 2019
From the photo, the teat it's self looks normal and it looks like there is a swelling on the mammary gland? The photo is pixilated on my end so it's hard to say for sure. A swelling on the gland could be something like an infected hair follicle, a cyst...it's hard to say without being able to actually see it and palpate the area.
Continuing the warm compresses is a good idea. If the area does not decrease in size within the next 3 days or if it gets worse, seems painful or anything abnormal, I recommend to get Lola Jade into see her veterinarian who will be better able to diagnose the condition and recommend appropriate treatment. There is value in taking her sooner if you want to be cautious.
I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

My young female dog has a soft, swollen area on her breast. What is it?

I am sorry to hear about Chocolat. There are numerous possible causes for this swelling. These could include a pseudopregnancy (where the body for some reason thinks it is pregnant and starts producing milk), mastitis (an infection of a mammary gland), mammary gland hyperplasia (a noncancerous swelling of the mammary tissue), tumors of the mammary gland (not common in dogs this young but not impossible), or a benign tumor such as a fatty tumor such as a lipoma that just happens to be over the area of the mammary chain. I would recommend an exam at your vet to help determine the cause and appropriate treatment. They may recommend an aspirate of the area with a needle to help identify what the cause of the swelling is and how best to treat it.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog's mammary gland is swollen after heat. How long does it last?

This swelling is probably a hormonal response to being in heat. As long as she still has hormones in her system the swelling will remain. Since your vet did not feel like it was anything significant, it is probably fine. It will eventually go away on its own and if not it will certainly go away when you spay her. If you feel like the swelling is getting larger or starts to feel firm or painful than I would be concerned. Otherwise it is just a side effect of her being in heat.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why is my male dog's nipple swollen? What are the possible causes?

He may have been licking his nipple which would have possibly made it swell. However it is also possible that this is hormonal problem or even an infection. If the nipple keeps growing, or turns red or hot or starts discharging fluid, then you should take your dog to a veterinarian for an exam.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my dog's mammary gland swollen, not eating, and depressed?

I can see that Ginger's mammary gland is rather swollen. It is a little difficult to tell from the photo, but there may be somewhat of a lump under the skin. While swollen mammary glands are definitely a sign of pregnancy, a false pregnancy, which results from a hormonal imbalance can cause this as well. I recommend having Ginger seen by a vet for an exam, particularly because certain cancers can appear this way. They can also determine if she is pregnant, or provide you with options on how to manage a false pregnancy at home. I hope all is well! Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why are my unspayed dog's teats swollen if she's not pregnant?

If Nyia has had a recent heat cycle, this can cause the mammary tissue to swell and it should go away. Intact females can also have problems with false pregnancies and this too will result in swollen teats and will generally reaolve. The teats can get infected and signs include swelling, heat, discomfort, discoloration and discharge. If any of those signs are seen, she should see the veterinarian. Getting her spayed will stop issues with swollen teats and false pregnancy. Dogs can get breast cancer and dogs that are spayed under the age of 2.5 years old have less cancer rates than those who are not spayed. So if you are not planning on breeding her, spaying her will provide health benefits. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why does my unspayed dog have breast lumps and can't stand?

If she is not spayed the number one reason for swollen teats is mammary (breast) cancer. If she recently had puppies then it could be severe mastitis. Either way this is serious. Your vet cannot drain these. I have no idea what they would possibly be referring to. If this is cancer, they have to be surgically removed. Sometimes the cancer is benign. Sometimes it is malignant and will spread to other organs (mainly the lungs). Regardless, the only way to potentially cure this is surgery. ( https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/mammary-tumors-in-dogs-malignant ) If it is mastitis, then she should respond to antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and warm compresses (or cabbage leaf compresses). ( https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/mastitis-in-dogs ) Please go back to your vet to discuss this or get a second opinion from another vet. This can be fatal.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why are my puppy's nipples swollen and bruised after her first heat?

That could be a normal reaction of the mammary glands after the season, and it is likely to resolve spontaneously one or two weeks after the season. if signs persist more than that and discharge comes out from nipples a check up would ideal as false pregnancy or mammary gland inflammation/infection may be present.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share