Ask the Veterinarian/Swollen Nipple

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Expert: - 3/14/2010


Question
My dog is 10 years old. She was spayed as a puppy and has never been in heat. About 1 month ago I noticed that one of her nipples was inflamed. I felt it and it felt almost like a fatty tumor, which she has 2 others. I took her to the vet and he was able to get some fluid out with a needle and saw that the fluid inside had skin cells and white blood cells in it. Put her on antibiotics for about 1 week. It seemed to shrink a little, but never fully went away. I looked at it again today and noticed it was about the same. The cyst is not hard and sort of squishy. It doesn't hurt her when I touch or put pressure on it. There is no cut or scab. Nothing is coming out of her nipple. She is eating and acting fine. The vet did mention about having it removed if it didn't clear up. I really didn't want to go that route as she is old and has hip problems. He said she would need additional blood test due to her older age.
Any ideas? He mentioned tumor.

Answer
Personally if it were my dog I would have it removed. She should have some pre-op blood work but if he is a good vet and fast, she won't be under long anyway. He can remove any others that look suspect while she is out.

Maybe he could just sedate her and use a local and remove it that way if you are really worried about the anesthetic.

One good thing is it doesn't sound like a mammary tumor. Those form more in the skin around the nipples and they are almost always hard and nodule like- not soft and squishy. It is very uncommon for a dog spayed that young to get them. Especially since she never had a heat. That was a good thing on your part.

So talk to him about these alternatives such as sedation and a local and see what he says.

If he says it won't hurt to leave it also, then leave it. But it sounds as if it should come off.  

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

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PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

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Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

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Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

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Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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