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Could my unspayed dog's enlarged nipple be cancer or something else?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua | Female | unspayed | 9 years and 6 months old | 10 lbs

My non spaded 10 year old Chihuahua has an enlarged nipple..sometimes it gets small and other days it swells...doesn't seem to hurt her or bother her, I notice it more than she does! I read it could be a clogged milk dud, or even breast cancer for dogs? After researching it sounds quite expensive! I am seeking natural remedies, or other advice...Im not against seeing a vet, but even after being diagnosed I'm not sure i could afford it.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on June 11th, 2020

Thank you for contacting PetCoach with your question about Zoe. Wow, that is quite enlarged. I am concerned that she does have a mammary tumor. Those can be common in dogs who are not spayed. Unfortunately there are no natural remedies for this, and it does require veterinary treatment. You also need to be aware that 50% of these tumors are malignant, so there is a chance it is cancer. The only way to know for sure is to have her seen by a vet to get it diagnosed. The vet can perform a test called a fine needle aspirate on it. To do this, the vet sticks a small needle into the lump to get a sample of its cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. If paying for a vet is an issue, you can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Care Credit online. There is also an organization called Red Rover that give grants for treatment of sick animals, and you can see if you qualify for one of their grants. Best Friends also has a list of resources that offer financial assistance on their website. I'd also see if you can borrow money from family and friends.

http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html?credit=web_id91754962
https://www.redrover.org
https://www.carecredit.com
http://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets
http://lessonsfromaparalyzeddog.com/when-pet-owners-cant-afford-veterinary-bills/
http://www.dogheirs.com/resources-affordable-veterinary-care/

I hope this helps!
Vote Icon3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Menolly Cote, DVM, CVA

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

    Published on June 15th, 2017

    Good morning. Lumps or swellings can occur for a variety of reasons in dogs. I am not able to see a bite mark in the picture, but if there is a wound associated with the swelling, this could indication an infection or abscess has formed. Other potential causes for a swelling would be inflammation secondary to insect bites, a cyst or even a tumor. In the picture, it appears that the lump may be close to a nipple. Since Zoey is not spayed, she is at a higher risk for developing mammary cancer and this location would fit with a growth within the mammary chain. I would recommend that you have Zoey seen by your veterinarian so they can better evaluate what may be going on. They will perform a thorough examination and will likely recommend a fine needle aspirate of the lump. This is a procedure in which a small needle is used to collect cells from a lump to better determine what is causing it. This typically does not cause much pain and can be very helpful in determining what may be going on.

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    4Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Vet Q & A
Why does my older spayed dog have a swollen nipple with lumps?
These could be mammary tumors even if she was spayed after her first heat. Please take her in for an exam. The veterinarian will feel the lumps and check the nipple. They can do a needle aspirate to see if it is infection or cancer. Breast cancer in dogs can be slow growing and often can be cured with surgery. They may recommend an X-ray to make sure there are no growths in her chest or abdomen before surgery. A biopsy of the lumps will also tell what it is and if it has been completely removed. If there is infection in the nipple area they will put Zephyr on antibiotics. Please have this examined soon so she can get the necessary treatment and be on the road to recovery. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Zephyr.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My unspayed female dog's nipple looks weird. Is it a lump or tumor?
I see that Jessabell isn't spayed. Unfortunately in unspayed females, mammary tumors are common and that is what could be causing her nipple to look weird. Mammary tumors in dogs have a 50% chance of being malignant, so I would recommend having her seen by a vet for it. The vet can perform a test called a fine needle aspirate on it. To do this, the vet sticks a small needle into the lump to get a sample of it's cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. Should she have a mammary tumor and it's malignant, it will need to be removed surgically and local lymph nodes should be checked to see if it has been spread. I would have Jessabell seen by a vet tomorrow to have her nipple looked at so it can be treated as needed.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My unspayed dog has hard blue lumps near her nipple. Is it serious?
She may have mammary cancer which is fairly common in unspayed dogs. Your vet can perform either a biopsy or a fine needle aspirate and cytology to confirm the nature of the mass. If it comes back as mammary cancer, full screening pre-operative bloodwork as well as chest radiographs to rule out metastasis to the lungs will likely be discussed. If chest rads show that cancer has already spread to her lungs, unfortunately surgical removal under anesthesia may not be practical. Good luck-
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
Why is my unspayed female puppy's nipple red, swollen, and misshapen?
Hello. This is nothing to be overly concerned about. Manakoa is old enough that there are hormones circulating & this nipple just seems to be a little more sensitive to the effects of estrogen at this point in time. If you were planning on spaying her, this is a good time to consider doing so, but otherwise, as long as the nipple does not continue to show further hormonal influence, it should not significantly affect her. If it does continue to enlarge & seems to bother her, do see your vet. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My 1-year-old female dog has lumps under her nipples. What is it?
Hello. This is probably benign mammary hyperplasia, but you do want to have this looked at, especially if she has been spayed. If she has not been spayed & has never been with a male dog, then this could be related to a false pregnancy. Also, has she been in contact with anyone who is on hormone replacement therapy? Sometimes, this can rub off on a pet & cause mammary enlargement. If no outside cause can be found, then have her spayed if that has not already been done, & submit a biopsy to see exactly what is going on with the tissue. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
What are the tiny lumps under my unspayed female dog's nipples?
What you are feeling are tumors (breast cancer); very common in dogs that are not spayed. They could be benign or malignant. I can't tell you that. You need to have them surgically removed and sent to a lab for histopathology. She should also be spayed as the same time as the masses are removed. ( https://www.petcoach.co/article/mammary-cancer-in-dogs/ )
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My unspayed female dog has a hard breast lump. What is it?
It is difficult to tell what is going on with Panthera based on the picture alone. The lump in the picture almost looks wet, so I would be concerned about a potential cyst or infected gland. Since she is unspayed, I also worry about potential mammary cancer, which we see more commonly in intact females. It can present as firm masses under the mammary glands. Dogs can also get benign masses of the mammary tissue as well. The best course of action would be to take her to your regular vet to have them evaluate her. She may need a fine needle aspirate of the lump. This is when we take a sample of cells from the area and look at it under the microscope to try to determine what the underlying cause is. It is no more painful than a vaccine and can give a lot of information as to if anything further needs to be done for Panthera or not.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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