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My dog's mammary tumor has an open sore. Will it heal naturally?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 11 lbs

14 year old Maltese diagnosed with mammary cancer when ulceration occurred at vet visit. Anti biotics were given and anti inflammatory, dog has open sore but behaves normally. Will this heal on its own or should it be stictched?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on January 2nd, 2019

An ulcer in a tumor happens when the tumor grows so aggressively , that it is taking away space from itself to grow and then the cells squish each other to death and an ulcer occurs. This is also the reason why this will not heal by itself. Only debulking (taking as much of the tumor away surgically) or taking the whole tumor would help here. The antibiotics are given to prevent infection or fight infection of the ulcer. tumor ulcers usually are not very painful, if painful at all.
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