My dog's breast swells after heat, then goes down. What is it?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Rhodesian Ridgeback | Female | unspayed | 11 years and 3 months old
One of my dogs breast keeps swelling after every season and she drinks lots of water .. after a couple of weeks it goes down again what could this be
3 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on June 22nd, 2017
In an older dog a swelling like this around the teat is most often a mammary lump. 50% are benign and 50% cancerous in dogs. They can be closely linked to hormones hence the fluctuation in size. Other causes would be mastitis or mammary development, but this photo does look like a lump. It can be tested by the vet to know what sort it is.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on June 22nd, 2017
Try not to worry too much! Mammary swelling is a generalised swelling so you'll feel it consistently over the teat, it has a firm but malleable consistency. Mammary lumps tend to be more prominent and harder.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on February 16th, 2019
From the photo, the teat it's self looks normal and it looks like there is a swelling on the mammary gland? The photo is pixilated on my end so it's hard to say for sure. A swelling on the gland could be something like an infected hair follicle, a cyst...it's hard to say without being able to actually see it and palpate the area. Continuing the warm compresses is a good idea. If the area does not decrease in size within the next 3 days or if it gets worse, seems painful or anything abnormal, I recommend to get Lola Jade into see her veterinarian who will be better able to diagnose the condition and recommend appropriate treatment. There is value in taking her sooner if you want to be cautious. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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