Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My dog's nipples are swollen and she seems sick. Is it serious?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | unspayed | 3 years and 9 months old

My dog has swollen nipples and seems sick

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on June 19th, 2018

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.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

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 female pit bull boxer has extremely swollen nipples. She has not had pups and her lower two are bigger than the others and are causing her pain. She has been sleeping and laying down the past few days and is not her playful self . I am unsure of w
Unspayed dogs can be prone to mammary tumors, which causes swelling and pain. Fifty percent of these mammary tumors are malignant, so you will need to take Mocha into a vet first thing in the morning to have this examined and diagnosed. Once the cause is found, the vet can discuss treatment options with you. Best of luck.
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
Our walker hound has swollen teats and is acting like she doesn't feel good. She has had puppies before we owned her but she is definitely not pregnant now. When we walk up to her, she comes right up to us whining like she's trying to tell us somethi
Poor silver! She could be pregnant (unless y'all have watched her 100% of the time she is outside) or she could be going through a false pregnancy (they think they are pregnant and will show similar signs of swollen mammary glands, nesting, whining, etc). She could also have an infection in her mammary tissues. I would recommend to contact your vet for an exam to confirm that she isn't pregnant and see what is going on. I hope she starts to feel better!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Im slightly worried about my 4 year old female dog she has a watery like fluid coming from her vagina and also has a slightly cream coloured substance coming from her nipples. I thought that this was maybe a phantom pregnancy but have only kmown this
It could be a false pregnancy, true pregnancy, or a pyometra (though fluid from the nipples is less likely with this issue). The only way to know for sure is to have her examined by a vet. As long as her appetite and behavior are normal, I don't think you need to rush her in.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
New Pet
I’m just wondering if I need to take my pup to the vet because her nipples were kinda looking like utters (she isn’t pregnant I keep close eye on her) plus she WAS whining a lot this past week and now I just noticed only 2 of her nipples are secretin
I am wondering if Lokita might be experiencing a pseudopregnancy. Sometimes dogs will have all of the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy and can even produce milk without being pregnant. It’s important to make sure she isn’t truly pregnant even though you keep a close eye on her. I’d recommend having your vet examine her - they may want to perform an ultrasound to make sure she isn’t pregnant and if they are suspicious of pseudopregnancy they can discuss treatment.
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 mammary glands and has some discharge. she vomited once today.
There are a few things that could be going on: 1. She could be having a false pregnancy. 2. She could be having a real pregnancy. 3. She could have a uterine infection - called pyometra. 4. She could have something completely unrelated to the reproductive tract. I think you should get her a vet for an exam. If she is pregnant you need to know about it so you can estimate when she may give birth. If she has a uterine infection this can be life-threatening and she needs to get treatment ASAP. A false pregnancy may or may not resolve on it's own. If it is something else, she needs the proper treatment. So, regardless of the underlying cause, she needs an exam. I hope this helps. Best wishes to you and Bailey.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog is crying in pain(I think). I don't know if she is labor; much less pregnant! There is a whiteish discharge from her vagina and her nipples are swollen. However when I'm petting her she calms down a bit. It has been going on all day. Please he
I would be extremely concerned that Trixie has a pyometra. This is an infection of the uterus that is fatal without treatment. It would cause a purulent discharge from the vagina (the white discharge) as well as pain. This is a medical emergency if she has one, as if it's not treated, she will die. Because I can't see her to rule out a pyometra, she needs to see a vet now. Please take her into an ER vet clinic; if there isn't one in your area, there will be a vet on call for emergencies. The information to reach that vet is found on a clinic's answering machine or website.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello my dog is a year old and she is spayed, but has three very swollen nipples and two nipples very purple color what could it be?
This could be caused by trauma, a hormonal dysregulation or an infection. This looks painful and needs to be examined by your veterinarian. If you can, take your dog's temperature and if it is higher than 101F or if she is lethargic, she needs to be seen today at an emergency room. Unfortunately, without a hands-on clinical exam it is not possible to pin point an exact cause.
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Food Dog Toys Dog Supplies Dog Health & Wellness Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Dog Thyroid Medication & Hormone Care Dog Vitamins & Supplements Puppy Milk Replacers Dog First Aid & Recovery Dog Pill Capsules Novolin N Insulin Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Novolin N Insulin Prescription Dog Insulin & Diabetes Medication DOG by Dr Lisa DOG by Dr Lisa Dog First Aid & Recovery Lactated Ringers Electrolytes for Dogs Glandex Dog First Aid & Recovery PetAg Puppy Milk Replacers Dogswell Dog Pain Medicine & Relief Pumpkin Patch Up! Dog Health & Wellness Dogswell Dog First Aid & Recovery
image
Have A Vet Question?

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

Book Now

Sponsored