If dogs have swollen teats, it is usually a sign of pregnancy or hormonal fluctuations. Under certain circumstances, it can also indicate inflammation of the mammary glands, allergies, injuries, cysts or anemia.
In practice, such swellings occur much more frequently in female dogs than in male dogs. This is because the male mammary glands have no real function.
On average, dogs have between 8 and 10 teats. However, the values fluctuate between 6 and 12. Here is a brief overview with the most important facts:
Key factors:Most common causes:MaleAllergies, injuries, cyst, anemiaBitchHormone fluctuations, pregnancy, mammary inflammation, mammary tumorOne teatCyst, injuries, mammary tumor, mammary inflammationAll teatsPregnancy, hormone fluctuations, anemia, allergies[1]
Below you will learn about the 8 most common causes of swollen teats, how you can recognize them and what to do in specific cases.
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#1 Mammary inflammation
When a dog's mammary gland becomes inflamed, doctors speak of “mastitis”. Since male dogs also have mammary glands, it can affect them too.
However, it occurs most frequently in nursing dogs. Depending on the causes, veterinarians differentiate between two different types:
- Acute septic mastitis: The cause here is usually a bacterial infestation, which causes the mammary glands to become inflamed.
- Galactostasis: Here the infections are triggered by a stasis of the milk. It can therefore only occur in female dogs. [2]
However, the symptoms are the same in both cases. It is most likely to be recognized by severe swelling on the teats and redness. Other typical symptoms are:
- Teats are warm
- Red-blue discoloration
- Blood in the milk
- Dog becomes sensitive to touch
- Sudden fever
- Dog reacts aggressively
- Lack of motivation [3]
In most cases, treatment with antibiotics is completely sufficient. If your milk is engorged, manual squeezing of the teats may be necessary.
When dogs' teats become inflamed due to bacterial infestation or engorged milk, the teats usually swell significantly. Such an infection can typically be recognized by severe redness and an increased body temperature.
#2 Pregnancy
In dogs, pregnancy is called “pregnancy.” Compared to humans, dogs are only pregnant for around 62 to 64 days.
Only unneutered female dogs can become pregnant. During castration, the ovaries, uterus and cervix are completely removed. [4]
In most cases it can be recognized by the fact that the bitch suddenly gains a lot of weight, the abdominal area increases in size and the teats swell. Other signs include:
- Irritable behavior
- Dog tires more quickly
- Decreased activity
- Black crust on the teats
- Strong hunger
- Milk runs out of the teats
- Very trusting behavior [5]
From the 20th day of pregnancy, the vet can usually determine pregnancy using hormones. From the 30th day the puppies are also visible.
Visible weight gain occurs around the 35th day. This means that dogs often have offspring around 1 month after the visible symptoms.
In pregnant dogs, not only does the entire abdomen become larger, but the teats also swell significantly. In addition, affected four-legged friends usually become very hungry, move less and behave differently than normal.
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#3 Allergies
According to statistics, up to one in five dogs struggle with allergies. If the symptoms only occur in places, then we are talking about “contact dermatitis”.
If the teats come into contact with corresponding allergens, then the symptoms can only occur there. The most common triggers for this are:
- Fleas
- Pollen
- house dust
- Mold
- grasses [6]
You can usually recognize allergic reactions to the teats when dogs constantly scratch and lick them and the teats swell. Other symptoms include:
- Occasional hair loss
- Sudden rash
- Severe itching
- Strange smell
- Dry and cracked skin
- Inflammation of the skin [7]
Since there is no cure for allergies, you should carry out an allergy test and then avoid the corresponding allergens. Medication can also help here.
If the dog's teats come into contact with allergens, swelling and redness may occur. However, the easiest way to recognize it is that the dog constantly scratches itself and bites the affected area due to the itching.
#4 Mammary tumor
If a tumor forms in the dog's nipples, doctors also speak of a “mammary tumor”. This is one of the most common types of tumors. [8]
It most often affects unneutered female dogs over the age of 9. Male dogs are comparatively rarely affected. In general, neutered dogs are affected much less frequently.
In addition, the tumor is malignant in only around half of the cases – in the other cases it is benign. What is noticeable here is that not all teats, but usually only one, swells.
You can also recognize it by the fact that there is a noticeable lump and the skin around it usually turns purple. Other typical signs include:
- Discharge from the teat
- Lethargic behavior
- Uneven spread
- Dog loses weight
- Touch sensitivity
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dog eats less [9]
In most cases, the tumor or even the entire mammary gland is removed for treatment. The earlier the intervention takes place, the better the chances are. [10]
When dogs struggle with breast cancer, the teat usually swells and turns red, purple and blue. The dog's behavior often changes, so that it generally seems a bit lethargic and eats less.
#5 Hormone fluctuations
The size of the mammary glands is primarily controlled by the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Two things can cause these hormones to rise sharply:
On average, bitches start their first period after 6-15 months. Most people also get them around twice a year – about every 6 months.
During this time, the dog's teats also swell significantly due to the increased estrogen and progesterone levels. The same applies to the female genitals. [11]
Pseudopregnancy occurs primarily in unneutered female dogs who have had sexual contact but did not complete the process.
Around 3-9 weeks after your period, you will experience the same symptoms as during a real pregnancy. Except there are no puppies in the stomach.
Here, too, the mammals swell significantly, the dog gains some weight and behaves unusually aggressively. But this will go away on its own over time. [12]
During your period or during a false pregnancy, the levels of progesterone and estrogen increase. For this reason, the teats also swell significantly during this time. This can only happen with unneutered female dogs. This does not exist in male dogs.
#6 Injuries
Injuries can cause water or blood to accumulate in the tissue. This is completely normal. Typical triggers for injuries to the teats are:
- Insect bites
- Fighting with other animals
- Parasites
- Splinter injury
- Open wounds
- Bite from puppy while breastfeeding
- Constant friction [13]
If there is an accumulation of blood, the skin usually turns reddish or blue. Skin color hardly changes when exposed to water.
What is noticeable here is that usually only a single teat is swollen. However, if there are parasites or friction, they can all swell slightly. Other typical symptoms include:
- Touch sensitivity
- Sudden aggressiveness
- Dog lies unusually
- Constant licking of the teats
- Dog refuses to breastfeed [14]
If you suspect this, I recommend visiting the vet. Because dogs always try to suppress existing pain for evolutionary reasons. [15]
If dogs sustain injuries to their abdomen, this can also lead to swelling of their teats. In most cases, insects or parasites are responsible. In addition, redness and itching often occur.
#7 Cyst
When a cavity forms in the dog's body, doctors speak of a cyst. It usually fills on its own with air, water or other tissue.
Depending on the form, different types are distinguished. The exact cause of this is still unclear. However, known risk factors include:
- Injuries
- Congenital anomalies
- Strong UV radiation
- Injections
- Previous operations
- Inactive hair follicles [16]
In principle, a cyst can form anywhere on the body. The teats are no exception. It can usually be recognized by the following symptoms:
- Swelling at the teat
- No touch sensitivity
- Circular curvature
- Very sudden appearance [17]
Depending on the cause, such cysts can also resolve on their own. Long-term cysts, on the other hand, are usually removed surgically. Laser treatment also helps in some cases.
If a cavity forms on or under the teats, it can fill with fluid or tissue. It can usually be recognized by the fact that only a single teat suddenly swells, but the dog shows no signs of existing pain.
#8 Anemia
There are red blood cells in the blood that are responsible for transporting oxygen. If the dog has too few of these, doctors speak of “anemia”.
In most cases it is because the dog has lost a lot of blood in an accident. Other typical causes of this are:
- Poisonings
- Problems with the kidneys
- Cushing's syndrome
- genetics
- Side effect of medication
- Viral infections
- Worm infestation [18]
Swollen teats are one of the later symptoms. Beforehand, it can usually be recognized by severe tiredness and pale gums. Other symptoms include:
- High pulse
- Dog tires quickly
- Chair is dark in color
- Dog breathes very quickly
- Sudden weight loss
- Blood in urine
- Lack of motivation [19]
In most cases, the symptoms can be treated very well with the help of medication. Here you should contact the veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.
If dogs have too few red blood cells in their blood, this is noticeable both visually and behaviorally…