Why is my unspayed dog lactating, nipples swollen, and howling?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mastiff | Female | unspayed
I have noticed today as I was giving my dog a belly rub that she is lactating from one nipple and they have gone rather large and swollen looking she has had only two seasons and has NOT been mounted by another dog as she is only about 17 months only she is an American bullmastiff and she has also started to howl which is new for her is there anything u can advise me on or anything to help ??
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on January 11th, 2017
It is possible that Bella is heading into another heat. While dogs typically go into heat every six months, they can go into heat sooner, and it's a possibility if her last heat was a few months ago. She could also be experiencing a false pregnancy if there's no chance she would be pregnant. I would have her seen by a vet in the morning for a definitive diagnosis as to why she is experiencing these symptoms.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on December 21st, 2017
Hello, and thank you for your question. I'm sorry to hear that Bella is unwell. Her symptoms may be related to pseudopregnancy, or false pregnancy. However, pseudopregnancy usually happens 6-8 weeks after her heat cycle, so the timeline does not quite match up. Because of this, I would recommend having her assessed by your local vet to be sure, to rule out other possible causes for this behaviour. For example, it may be pain related to her arthritis or something else entirely. The vet may recommend starting with a blood test, or even an x-ray if true pregnancy is suspected. In the meantime, if you are suspicious of false pregnancy, you can put a snug-fitting T-shirt on her to reduce licking and stimulation of the mammary glands. Please note that false pregnancy can be associated with increased risk of mammary cancer, so it is recommended to get her spayed after this episode has finished to prevent future episodes and minimize her risk. I hope this helps, and that Bella is feeling better soon!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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