Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My dog's swollen nipple is leaking fluid. What should I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | 13 years and 2 months old

My dog has had a very swollen tit for about 3 years now. It hasn't hurt her or anything so I didn't think too much of it. Well the other day She scratched it open. I bandaged it. Now today it started leaking fluid like a lot. The fluid is clearish.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on September 18th, 2017

Bonnie needs to see a vet for this swollen mammary gland. It is concerning that it has been swollen for three years now. I'm not sure if she is spayed or not, but this swelling could be a mammary tumor. In unspayed dogs, they have a 25% chance of developing mammary tumors, 50% of which are malignant. It could also be a cyst, and she scratched it open leading to the fluid leakage. Even if she is spayed, it's not normal to have such a huge swelling for so long, and it really needs to be diagnosed by a vet to it can be treated. I would take her into the vet first thing tomorrow. I hope this helps!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, Just wondering if my dog needs to go in to client checked out. She’s 10 months old, just had her first heat and I think pseudo-pregnancy as all of her nipples have swollen. They have all started to go down back to normal but we have just notice
Yes, I am afraid, dogs can get mastitis and the signs you describe can indeed point to mastitis. I think it is a good idea to have it checked out on Monday so it can be treated before it turns into a purulent mastitis (with pus). Make sure Bonnie does not lick the nipple as she can contaminate it with bacteria that way and also aggravate inflammation.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a swollen nipple and its gotten progressively worse what could it be?
I see that Brandy isn't spayed. When dogs aren't spayed, they are prone to developing mammary tumors. There is a 50% that a mammary tumor can be malignant, and it's concerning that her swollen nipple is getting larger. I would take her into a vet as soon as possible. The vet can diagnose if she does have a mammary tumor, and if she does have one, if it's malignant or not. Malignant tumors will have to be removed surgically. Please take her into a vet this weekend or first thing Monday. Good luck, I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
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
Petco Pet Education Center
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
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, Our dog was abused before my family got her -meaning she's horrible to strangers- so going to a Vet isn't really an option. Two days ago I noticed that one of her bottom nipples was swollen. I'm curious if there's anything we can do to help.
You can apply a warm compress to it to help with pain and swelling. She will need to go to a vet to have it checked as it may be an infection or a growth. If she is nervous or anxious then i would call and see what arrangements can be made to minimize her stress. Such as medication for anxiety prior to travel or not waiting in the lobby with other dogs and people but maybe and exam room or the car until they are ready for you.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has swollen nipples and seems sick
There are a couple of things that could be wrong with your dog. She could be pregnant causing her swollen nipples and making her feel ill. It could be that she has mammary tumors also causing these symptoms. If she had puppies recently, she could have mastitis (an infection of the mammary glands). Finally, she could have a pyometra which is an infection of the uterus that is fatal without treatment. Because both mastitis and a pyometra are fatal without treatment, and since I can't see her in person to rule them out, I think it's best that she sees a vet right away. The vet can diagnose what is causing these symptoms and the best way to treat her. Please take her into a vet now. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My boyfriend dog nipple looks weird
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 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
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
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello :-) I have a 9 yr old American Bulldog. She's spayed, I noticed some brown spots and some spots if blood on the floor, didn't see anything on Chloe that would make me think it was from her. That happen a week ago, today I noticed that her nipp
Oh my. I am sorry that Chloe has what sounds like a mass on her mammary gland that is now infected. I would highly recommend taking her to your local vet soon to have this area examined thoroughly. She likely will need to be placed on a short course of antibiotics and also have the swelling tested to be sure. I would try to clean it as best you can for now, with Betadine diluted 50:50 with warm water followed by sterile saline daily until you can get her seen by your vet. This will at least keep the area sterilized until further action can be taken. I do hope that Chloe is able to make a full and speedy recovery and best wishes moving forward with her health. Take care.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has been scratching here for the past couple of days. This has happened before. We were told it was an infection but I don’t recall it being this swollen and red, possibly because of the consistent scratching? She isn’t really reacting when I
That looks like an inverted nipple to me. You can try gently squeezing to see if you can get it back to its correct position and washing the spot carefully with mild soap and warm water and dry it thoroughly. If it doesn't improve greatly in the next few days, or if she gets sick, please get her in to see your vet.
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Supplies Dog Toys Dog Food Dog Health & Wellness Dog Thyroid Medication & Hormone Care Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Wet Dog Food Dog Incontinence & Bladder Control Medicine Antifungal Medication for Dogs Flea & Tick Solutions for Dogs DOG by Dr Lisa Glandex Dog First Aid & Recovery Glandex Glandex Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief Wet Noses Amlodipine Dog Pain Relief & Arthritis Meds Novolin N Insulin Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Dogswell Dog Bandages & Wound Care Glandex Dog Supplies Salix Diuretics for Dogs
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored