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Why are my dog's nipples/vagina still swollen 2 months after heat?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Female | unspayed | 55 lbs

My dog had her first heat cycle 2 months ago and her nipples and vagina are still enlarged. When will they shrink back down?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Elizabeth

Veterinarian

Published on November 20th, 2019

tAs long as she didn't get bred or is going through a false pregnancy, most dogs will shrink down within 2-3 weeks or so months from the heat cycle. It should be noted they will never shrink back to the size they were prior to here heat cycle.

Since her teats and vulva are still swollen, I recommend to have her examined to find out if something is wrong or if she is pregnant.

I do recommend to spay Oakley unless she is planned to be a breeding dog. There are many health and behavioral benefits to the procedure.

I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

45Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA
Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer
Published on July 17th, 2021
It's normal for the mammary glands and nipples to be larger after a female dog has gone through her first heat cycle, similar to the changes that happen in humans after puberty. :) So this is likely perfectly normal. But if you're concerned, you could always opt to have your regular veterinarian take a look at her in person to make sure everything looks the way it should.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on February 25th, 2019
If Nakkita was kept apart from the male, it may be she isn't pregnant. It takes time for the vulva to go down and the nipples do not return to their previous size after a dog goes into heat. Keep an eye on her for now, and maybe in a few weeks, take her into the vet for a check up. I hope this helps.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Lindsey Edwards MVB, BSc, IVCA
Veterinarian
Published on April 4th, 2019
With that degree of swelling she is very much in heat and must be kept isolated from all other dogs (if she has been out in the last few weeks it is possible she may have been mated already). I would contact your vet to discuss options if you do not want pups and there is any possibility she may have been mated
12Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Related Questions

Why is my dog's vulva still swollen after heat, and nipples enlarged?

It is not unusual for the vulva to remain swollen for a period of time after the "heat" cycle is over. In dogs, there are [4 stages of estrus](https://www.petcoach.co/article/anatomy-and-function-of-the-reproductive-system-in-dogs). The combination of proestrus and estrus, which is often referred to as "heat" by breeders, lasts approximately 21 days. "Heat" is followed by diestrus and anestrus. During proestrus, the vulva swells and has a bloody discharge. During estrus, the vulva softens and becomes pliable in preparation for mating. It can take several weeks following estrus for the vulva to shrink back down in size, but it will never go back to the size it was before the first heat cycle. The same is true of the mammary glands, which enlarge slightly in preparation for [pregnancy](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/pregnancy/).

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why are my dog's nipples and vulva still swollen 6 months after spay?

I suggest you take her back to the vet for an exam. She may have a piece of ovary that was left behind during surgery that is causing stimulation of the mammary and vulvar tissues. The vet can do some hormone blood testing, a vaginal cytology and/or an abdominal ultrasound to check for this. ( https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/ovarian-remnant-syndrome-in-dogs )

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog's vulva is swollen 2 months after birth, no blood. Is she in heat?

This is definitely possible that she is already back in heat. She could also have an infection so be sure to keep an eye out for any abnormal behavior like not eating, lethargy, or vomiting. If you see any abnormal behavior or just want to be sure, I would have your vet take a look at her to ensure she is healthy. I would not breed her during this heat cycle since she just had a litter. I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my dog still swollen weeks after her heat cycle ended?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It can take several weeks for the blood vessels to Decrease in size after a heat cycle. I usually say about 6 weeks after you see bleeding. If you see any discharge, she’s licking the area, or not acting herself, I would recommend taking her to a vet for any exam. Good luck and kisses to Lillie!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog's in heat for 2 weeks, why is her vulva still red & swollen?

Hi there, and thank you for posting this question. The average heat cycle lasts about 4 weeks, however there is some variation. Typically dogs do not have bloody discharge for more than a week or so during this process. The vulva does remain swollen during this time, and after their first heat cycle it will remain more "mature" in appearance than it was prior. If you plan to spay her I would recommend waiting about 1 month after to allow the internal blood supply to regress back down to more normal size. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog was in heat. Is she pregnant? Her nipples and vulva are swollen.

If Cali stopped bleeding over a week ago, it's still too early to tell if she is pregnant or not. Her nipples and genital area should go down not long after a heat ends. Even if she was pregnant, it would still be too early for her nipples to enlarge in response to a pregnancy. You can wait at least another three weeks then take her into the vet for a blood test looking for the hormone relaxin. This will be present in her blood if she is pregnant. You can wait six weeks instead and then take her into the vet for x-rays or an ultrasound to see if she is pregnant or not. This will also tell you how many puppies she is carrying. Best of luck.

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

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