My unspayed female dog's nipple looks weird. Is it a lump or tumor?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

• Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on December 6th, 2017

  Hi there and thank you for using pet coach. In an older female with lumps near or associated with the nipple, I get concerned with mammary tumors. In dogs, about 50% of these can be cancerous and the rest benign. I would recommend having this looked at by your veterinarian for further testing. Your vet can insert a small needle into the mass and look at the cells under a microscope to help determine what it could be. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

  

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• Answered By Christie Long, DVM

  Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

  Published on November 13th, 2016

  Mammary cancer is common in unspayed dogs, however usually not in dogs this young. She could be undergoing a false pregnancy, and that's what's causing the "lump", but I would definitely get this checked out. Your vet can easily rule out cancer with a test called a fine needle aspirate, and if she is having false pregnancy they usually go through it on their own in a couple of weeks. Spaying will prevent it in the future, and it will also mostly prevent the chance of mammary cancers.

  

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• Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA

  Veterinarian

  Published on May 11th, 2018

  Poor MIssy. This could be mastitis (infection) or mammary duct inflammation. It could also be a type of mammary tumor. Since about 50% of mammary tumors are malignant, I would have your vet take a look at it. Your vet will be able to aspirate it to see whether she needs some oral meds to help her or if she needs further diagnostics or treatment like a biopsy or surgery to have it removed. I hope this helps!

  

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