My unspayed female dog's nipple looks weird. Is it a lump or tumor?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Chow Chow | Female | unspayed | 10 lbs
My boyfriend dog nipple looks weird
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on April 21st, 2017
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.
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Related Answers from Veterinarians
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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.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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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.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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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!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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