Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My Shih Tzu has lumps on her nipples. Are they mammary tumors?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Shih Tzu | Female | unspayed | 10 lbs

My 14 years old female Shih Tzu has mammary tumors in her two back nipples. One I would say is about the size of an almond, the second one is much larger, about 3" long and about 1" wide. The larger one is hard to the touch, the second one is not as hard, you might be able to squeeze. I have squeeze them and she doesn't seem to show signs of pain. She licks that spot quit a bit. Please help me fix her, I love her much and it is killing me and I fell so bad that I didn't notice it sooner.

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 November 17th, 2019

With mammary tumors in dogs, 50% of them are malignant. You need to have Daisy Duke seen by a vet and get it diagnosed. If they are malignant, they should be removed surgically. I'd have her seen by a vet tomorrow.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi their I have an eight year old shih Tzu bitch she had a tumour on her last but one teat on her right side, it had been their for around 2 year although it was tiny and our groomer continued to tell us it was nothing to worry about it has now grown
Unfortunately mammary tumors are very common in unspayed dogs, and 50% of them are malignant. The prognosis depends on whether or not the tumor is malignant or not, and if it has spread. Given that it's growing, removing it would be best as well as spaying Lilly in my opinion (spaying her prevents her from developing a pyometra). The vet doing the surgery can submit the removed lump to a lab to determine if it's malignant or not, and likely will submit local lymph nodes to see if the cancer has spread there. That should give a prognosis as to life expectancy for her. I'm sorry you are going through this, and in the future, I strongly recommend to not listen to a groomer about veterinary medicine. They are not trained in veterinary medicine, and really should not be giving advice on lumps. Any suspicious lump should always be checked out by a vet promptly. Best of luck, I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi I just realized there is a bump under one of my dogs breasts. I don’t know if I should take her to the vet. I did some research and I think it might be a memmary gland tumor.
Poor Daisy! A lump in the breast can be a cancerous tumor, a benign tumor or can be an infection. I recommend to have Daisy examined by her veterinarian today if possible. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
We have a 7yr old Merle Great Dane female that has developed different growths on her skin over the last year. I've done research and I am aware the small ones are just from old age, but the ones that concern us are a bump on her side and a tumor on
Being an intact, older female increases the risk for Duchess to develop mammary gland tumors. Have her examined by your veterinarian. A fine needle aspirate can be done on the suspect masses to collect samples for pathology. If a malignant mammary gland tumor is diagnosed, discuss treatment options with your veterinarian or veterinary oncologist. You can also simply monitor the masses for rapid change or growth. See your vet if they cause discomfort or impede movement.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Noticed small lump under skin on right rear side in front of thigh. Tonight, there's another one twice the size of the other on right side mid-body. No response to pain when pressed. No lethargy, vomiting, problems urinating/defecating, no loss of ap
They aren't urgent, but these lumps do need to be checked out by a vet, as any suspicious lumps should be examined. They could be cysts, abscess, or benign tumors. 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. I would have Princess seen by a vet tomorrow to have these lumps examined and diagnosed so they can be treated as needed.
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 little Jack Russell is 12 years old now and still in good shape but recently I have come to find hard lumps under her skin around her nipples and up and down her stomach she loves a belly tickle and sometimes am scared I find more. I have notic
These sound like mammary tumours (similar to breast cancers). Please have her assessed urgently as surgical removal may be recommended as soon as possible as long as there is no evidence they have spread internally
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, My 14 year old shih tzu has black , thick puss around her nipples/ abdomen. What would that be?
It could be that Zabby has an infection, but I see that she is unspayed and it could be that she is suffering from mammary tumors that have ruptured. It's quite serious that she has black thick pus in this area, and she should see a vet right away. The vet can diagnose what is causing this pus and can discuss treatment options with you. In dogs, there is a 50% chance that any mammary tumor is malignant, and surgery is needed if the tumor is malignant.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, my dog's name is Wiggles. We are from Philippines. She's a maltese breed, 5 years old, will turn 6 this July. She had two puppies in 2013. My problem is that I have noticed there's something hard in her nipple, kind of like a lump. She's not i
Dogs can get cancer in the nipple or mammary tissue (just like breast cancer in human women). The best thing is to have Wiggles examined by a vet to see if this may be a concern. The vet may take a sample of cells for examination under the microscope or recommend biopsy or removal of the nipple and gland. https://www.petcoach.co/article/mammary-cancer-in-dogs/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I have a 14 year old Pomeranian and have noticed a small bulb emerging from her private part, it did not cause her any discomfort or pain and she could use the restroom fine. It went away after a week or two. Over the past several months it would com
Poor Lady Bug. Since she is not fixed, my biggest concern is cancer. She could have mammary tumors - approximately 50% are benign and the other 50% are malignant. Whether you are talking about her vulva or anus, she could have a mass on the inside that has grown its way toward the orifice so that you can now see them. These can also be benign or malignant but I would strongly recommend to have a vet look at her. Your vet will be able to help you come up with a plan that will best suit you and Lady Bug’s needs and help make her feel better. Your vet will also be able to determine whether surgery is the best option for her or if there are other options depending on what the vet thinks it is. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
my dog has bumps on her skin and they feel like little balls
I see at least one of these bumps is around Sugar's nipple, and that she isn't spayed. In unspayed dogs, mammary tumors are common, and these bumps could be mammary tumors. These need to checked out by a vet as soon as possible because 50% of mammary tumors are malignant. I'd take her into a vet tomorrow.
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Toys Dog Health & Wellness Dog Treats & Chews Dog Thyroid Medication & Hormone Care Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Dog Vitamins & Supplements Prescription Shampoo for Dogs Dog Dental Care Flea & Tick Shampoos for Dogs Puppy Milk Replacers DOG by Dr Lisa DOG by Dr Lisa Dog Health & Wellness VetIQ Dog Health & Wellness VetIQ Dog Pill Capsules Vetnique Labs Dog Health & Wellness Temaril-P Dog Health & Wellness Methimazole Dog Thyroid Medication & Hormone Care Dermalone Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Doxycycline Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Thyro-Tabs Dog Thyroid Medication & Hormone Care
image
Have A Vet Question?

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

Book Now

Sponsored