Why is my dog's nipple swollen and bleeding? What should I do?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
my dog nipple is some what hurt... it is a bit swollen and with blood around it. i dont know what it could be or what should i do...
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on August 28th, 2017
Hi There! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It probably was due to mild trauma (such as from scratching). Given how it looks, it will likely heal on its own without much treatment if you leave it alone and prevent your pup from licking or chewing at it. Good luck!
8Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on April 13th, 2018
If there is any green or yellow discharge coming from the nipple, or the puppy is painful or acting lethargic, a visit to the vet is recommended. If not, you can try cleaning the area with a mild soap or Hibiclens (available at many drug stores) and monitoring the area closely. If your puppy is biting/licking the area, then an e-collar (cone-shaped collar) may be needed to stop this and allow the area to heal. If the nipple does not return to normal within a few days, or if it begins to look more swollen, continues to bleed, has pain, or your puppy is lethargic, seek veterinary care. Best of luck to you and your puppy!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
Two of his nipples are a little irritated, he’s a 4 month old mix, 2 of them look like ant mounds instead of just nipples like the rest. And they’re cut up a little bit it looks like, if this is normal or just from playing rough, cool, but if it’s so
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! At least in these pictures, it does not look severe and I think this could have been from some form of mild trauma. I think it would be ok to monitor him at this point. If this has not gotten better in the next week or so, it may best to have him evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a great day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My puppy has injured one of her nipples due to which it is swollen and pinkish and has a red clot at the top. There is no discharge. What should I do?
Thanks for visiting Boop by Petco. Poop puppy. I can't really appreciate the swelling or clot that you have described, based on the photo you have attached. In fact, the nipple that is displayed here looks perfectly normal, pinkish in color with a protruding nipple. There is no bright bloody red discharge or scab seen at all here. If you are however, seeing something that isn't displayed in this photo, you can try just cleaning it with Betadine diluted 50:50 with warm water once a day until it heals. You can also apply just a thin layer of Neosporin on the area twice daily (if there is a brusie or small superficial cut of some sort). If you wish to repost another photo that maybe shows the area of concern a bit better,t then feel free to do so. Othewise this area looks just fine and Luna will likely be ok. Thanks and ake care of that fur baby!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My puppy has injured one of her nipples due to which its swollen and has a red clot on the top and the nipple has acquired a pinkish tinge. What should I do ?
If there is any green or yellow discharge coming from the nipple, or the puppy is painful or acting lethargic, a visit to the vet is recommended. If not, you can try cleaning the area with a mild soap or Hibiclens (available at many drug stores) and monitoring the area closely. If your puppy is biting/licking the area, then an e-collar (cone-shaped collar) may be needed to stop this and allow the area to heal. If the nipple does not return to normal within a few days, or if it begins to look more swollen, continues to bleed, has pain, or your puppy is lethargic, seek veterinary care. Best of luck to you and your puppy!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, my dog has a very swallon nipple and very not normal. Its res with bits of purple. and suggestions shat it is? should i see a vet straight away
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! I am afraid that while this could be an extra unilateral nipple, it actually is most likely a cutaneous mass. This could be a benign or malignant growth. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My Ship Tsu nipper was swollen and now it is bleeding. I am trying to find the money to take her to vet but she needs immediate attention. What could it be?
Patience could have a mammary tumor causing the swelling and bleeding to her nipple, she could have sustained trauma to it, or if she had puppies recently, she could have mastitis (an infection of the mammary glands). You are correct that she needs to see a vet as soon as possible. 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. 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
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
One of my cat’s nipple is a little bit of swollen and red, she is overall in good health,eat well and active. She doesn’t seem to be bother nor lick it often. I wonder if this is serious
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! It is hard to know for sure without an examination. This could be a growth for example. If you think it is just very mild then monitor her closely and have her examined if at any point it progresses or it just does not resolve within the next month or so. Hopefully this is just transient inflammation. Best of luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hey! I was brushing my dogs teeth today when I noticed a red spot by her mouth. It seems to be swollen and agitated, and it is bleeding a bit. She was not in any pain when I touched it and the area around it. It seems rather tough. Is this something
Hi there and thank you for using Boop by Petco to address your concern. Based on the picture, this could be a mass of some type or due to an insect bite. If this does not resolve within 24-48 hours, then I would recommend having a veterinarian examine her so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My mixed breed lurcher has recently had a phantom pregnancy and in the last few days she seems to have a swollen vein near her nipple and the nipple is now producing blood (bottom 2 nipples. Any advice would help. Thankyou
It is possible that what you are seeing is a normal vein, a vein with a blood clot, or a bruise. If there is blood coming from the nipples, I recommend that Bonnie be examined by a vet as this would indicate that there is bleeding going on within the milk duct system and is highly abnormal. There could be infection, trauma, or a bleeding/clotting disorder causing this to happen.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog is nursing her 3 week old pups an blood is coming out of teat along with milk, I'm scared she might have mastitis, is it ok to give her cephalexin?
HI, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Poor Kiera! Blood could be from trauma. Mastitis is very painful and is an infection. The mammary gland is red, hard and painful. Pus can be detected from the nipple. I suggest and exam by your Vet first before starting any medications. We can not prescribe medications on Boop by Petco because we can not perform and exam. An exam is required by law to have a valid Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship in order to prescribe medications. The gland should be expressed or still nursed from. Cephalexin doesn't hurt the puppies. I hope this helps and good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a 6mo white Boxer, Not spayed. She has developed a red raised ring around the base of her nipple. The nipple appears to be slightly misshapen & red compared to the others. She is not licking it and no more bothered by me touching it than the o
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 Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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