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Rescue dog has nipple lumps, won't eat. How can I get her to eat?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | 5 lbs

So my new rescue baby has lumps on her nipples that look like cyst or a huge mass. She’s not eating and is super under weight. How can I open up her appetite?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Published on August 20th, 2018

I would recommend that you have Shanova Maye checked out by a vet. Dogs can get mammary (or breast) cancer and it can look lumpy or cystic. Some types of cancer are metastatic and can make the dog very ill. There are lots of other causes for her poor appetite, including stress, dietary intolerance or indiscretion, intestinal parasites, GI blockage, gastroenteritis, bacterial or viral infection, IBD, pancreatitis, among others. Your vet will do a thorough physical exam and may recommend diagnostics such as bloodwork and x-rays so they can get a complete picture of would could be ailing Shanova.
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