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Puppy's enlarged nipple, vulva pimple, fishy smell after heat?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Dachshund | Female | unspayed | 17 lbs

My puppy’s one nipple is slightly enlarged. There’s a red mark around it as well as a little pimple. She also has a little pimple on her vulva and lick her behind a lot. Getting a fishy smell. The one bump is her umbilical hernia*** she’s 8 months old and just got done her first heat 2 weeks ago.

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1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on February 11th, 2020

Millie could have a skin infection. I'd have this checked out by a vet. As for the nipple being a little enlarged, that can happen with a heat and they don't often go back to their previous heat size.

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6Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My female dog has one enlarged nipple, it doesn’t seem to bother her
It is possibly local skin fold infection or mild inflammation around the nipple. Please, clean the area with antiseptic skin solution (ideally containing 4% chlorhexidine, for example Hibiclens) twice a day for 4-5 days. If it does not get better, you will need to take Lady to your local vets for a check.
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My puppy had her first heat about a month ago and her vulva is still swollen as well as her nipples. Is this normal? I also noticed a scabby spot that’s localized and recently it turned to a bald patch, I’m afraid it might be mange but maybe I’m over
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! It can take a bit for the vulva and mammary glands to decrease from the hormones. She could also be experiencing a false pregnancy, which is a hormonal imbalance that can cause pregnancy symptoms: swollen mammary glands, milk development, nesting behavior, anxiety, carrying stuffed animals around. It usually resolves in 2-3 months. Causes for the area of hair loss are: trauma/injury/abrasion, skin infection, ring worm, demodex. I would put her on one of the oral flea and tick medications: Nexgard, Bravecto, or Simparica. All 3 also kill demodex as well. If the spot grows or doesn't resolve then I would have her seen. I hope this helps!
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My pup her her first season about 1/2 months ago recently iv notice her back 4 nipples are saggy like she’s had a litter what does this mean? She’s never been near male dog
Hi there. When your dog has experienced heat cycles, their bodies will react differently from dog to dog. Much like puberty in humans, with the beginnings of such hormonal fluxes, breast enlargement as well as vulvar are common and may be permanent. Certain types of infections, called pyometras, are also a possibility-if your pup is lethargic, not eating or drinking, or has purulent discharge she should see a vet immediately.
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Hi my 11 month old puppy has just finished her first season. I've noticed her nipples are slightly swollen and veiny. They almost look bruised. Do you know what this could be?
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My dog's vagina never shrunk down after she was in heat. Her bottom two nipples are also enlarged and feel swollen when pushed on. She is 100% not pregnant.
It is not unusual for the vulva to remain swollen for a period of time after the "heat" cycle is over. In dogs, there are [4 stages of estrus](https://www.petcoach.co/article/anatomy-and-function-of-the-reproductive-system-in-dogs). The combination of proestrus and estrus, which is often referred to as "heat" by breeders, lasts approximately 21 days. "Heat" is followed by diestrus and anestrus. During proestrus, the vulva swells and has a bloody discharge. During estrus, the vulva softens and becomes pliable in preparation for mating. It can take several weeks following estrus for the vulva to shrink back down in size, but it will never go back to the size it was before the first heat cycle. The same is true of the mammary glands, which enlarge slightly in preparation for [pregnancy](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/pregnancy/).
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My female dog had her first period on the 29 Dec. She finished on the 17th January. I noticed some changes in her body like enlarged nipples and last two looks a dangly as you can see in the photo. Is it normal pls? They used to be flat before the ha
Hello. If you are sure that she is not pregnant, then this is just a hormonal response. The breast gland tissue may regress a bit, but as long as she remains unsprayed, she may develop a little more with each heat cycle. Spaying her now may help regress the tissues totally, but with each additional heat cycle, she may develop just a little bit more. So yes, this is a normal condition in an unsprayed female dog. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
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Hello there.. I have female catahoula x cocker spaniel 7 months old that has been on heat since 01/01/2019 I’ve noticed a lump near the top of the vulva stomach area.. seems to be a vein that was hard during her heat now seems to be not so hard but a
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My puppy was in heat about 2 months ago. She spotted some and her vagina was swollen but about a month ago it went back to normal. About 2-3 weeks ago I noticed her nipples sticking more out and today it’s pufft around her nipples. She is my only do
Hello and welcome to Boop by Petco. It is possible that Harley could be going through something called 'pseudo-pregnancy'. Dogs can develop mammary glands, produce milk, and will sometimes even start to nest and collect small stuffed animals to nurse. This is normal and will subside in a few weeks. However, it is recommended to get her spayed before her next heat so she doesn't have to go through that stress again. The other possible cause is something called a pyometra. This is an infected uterus and is life-threatening. If you notice any discharge from her vulva, if she is weak, not eating, drinking more, or acting abnormally at all, I would have her seen by your vet right away. Best of luck with Harley.
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