Why is my unspayed dog licking her nipple and acting strange?

Sorry that Maxie is having this problem. She really should be examined by a vet to determine the cause. She could have an urinary tract infection or a uterine infection, especially since she isn't spayed. Your vet can run lab-work and take an x-ray, if needed, to help diagnose and then decide the best way to treat. Please call your vet and have her seen.

It's not common in younger dogs, but a pyometra can happen and would cause these symptoms. A pyometra is an infection of the uterus that is fatal without treatment. I would be very concerned about this possibility, and I would take Luana into a vet immediately. Best of luck.

First, thank you for being such a caring and compassionate pet owner. Ladybug is so lucky to have you. Second, thank you for providing the picture - this helps us a lot to help you. Without the exact information, I can only assume that she had to have an emergency spay because of a serious problem like a pyometra, difficult birth, etc. Just a routine spay is still a major procedure, but an emergency spay because of the above conditions, is even more significant. Although it is possible, I am quite hesitant to think that this nipple redness would cause her to act so lethargic and unenthused about going outside. I am more likely to believe that there is some internal issue like pain or infection that is causing her to display this behavior. So yes, because of the above reasoning, I truly believe you should have her rechecked by your veterinarian as soon as possible to make sure everything is ok. I hope this helps and that she feels better.

Hello. This is nothing to be overly concerned about. Manakoa is old enough that there are hormones circulating & this nipple just seems to be a little more sensitive to the effects of estrogen at this point in time. If you were planning on spaying her, this is a good time to consider doing so, but otherwise, as long as the nipple does not continue to show further hormonal influence, it should not significantly affect her. If it does continue to enlarge & seems to bother her, do see your vet. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Ingrid needs to see a vet now. It's very concerning that you describe her as being in constant pain and is crying. This lump by her lower mammary gland could be a mammary tumor, which are common in intact dogs. Do not give her any human pain medications, many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. Please take her into a vet immediately.

There are a couple of things that could be wrong with your dog. She could be pregnant causing her swollen nipples and making her feel ill. It could be that she has mammary tumors also causing these symptoms. If she had puppies recently, she could have mastitis (an infection of the mammary glands). Finally, she could have a pyometra which is an infection of the uterus that is fatal without treatment. Because both mastitis and a pyometra are fatal without treatment, and since I can't see her in person to rule them out, I think it's best that she sees a vet right away. The vet can diagnose what is causing these symptoms and the best way to treat her. Please take her into a vet now. Best of luck.

I'm sorry to hear that Daisy has not been feeling well. The loss of appetite, increased drinking, lethargy, and licking of her vulva following mating (presumably during her heat cycle/ estrus) could be due to a number of causes: a urinary tract infection, pyometra (uterine infection), or pregnancy (although this is less likely to cause some of the signs you've noted). At this point, your best bet is to take Daisy to her vet for an exam, blood work, urinalysis, and possibly abdominal x-rays to try to get to the bottom of this situation so that appropriate treatment can be started. If she has a urinary tract infection, she will need antibiotics, whereas if she has a pyometra, she will need to be spayed immediately because this condition is life-threatening if not addressed urgently. I hope this helps and that all goes well for Daisy!