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What are the tiny lumps under my unspayed female dog's nipples?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Female | unspayed | 7 years and 2 months old | 90 lbs

hi! under the two (most rear) nipples on my female dog there are tiny bb-like balls. these balls are under the teat themselves not visible unless you feel and sort of press under the base of the teats. what are these?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 14th, 2019

What you are feeling are tumors (breast cancer); very common in dogs that are not spayed. They could be benign or malignant. I can't tell you that. You need to have them surgically removed and sent to a lab for histopathology. She should also be spayed as the same time as the masses are removed. ( https://www.petcoach.co/article/mammary-cancer-in-dogs/ )

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    Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on December 12th, 2017

    Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Seeing that Annabella is unspayed and based on your description, I suspect what you are seeing could be mammary tumors that have become ulcerated. I would recommend having a veterinarian examine these so that the most appropriate diagnostics and treatment recommendations can be made. In dogs, 50% of mammary tumors tend to be cancerous and should be surgically removed. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

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