Breast Cancer Signs in Dogs: What to Look For and How to Think About Mammary Cancer
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
Updated: May 15th, 2024
Summary
Finding a lump on your dog’s breast is not good: Learn how to examine your dog for breast cancer and when to head to the veterinarian.
Breast cancer … in dogs? Can dogs even get breast cancer? Yes, they do. We don’t call it by the same name; in dogs, we call it mammary cancer. But because the mammary gland is the bulk of the breast, and the disease is very similar, mammary cancer is, in fact, dog breast cancer.
Thankfully, breast cancer in dogs is not as aggressive as breast cancer usually is in humans … but it’s serious, nonetheless. For a full discussion of breast cancer, including its warning signs, treatment, and special diet considerations, please see chapter 31, which starts on page 320 of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide.
Signs of Breast Cancer in Dogs
Signs of breast cancer in dogs include the following:
- small nodules (bumps) within the mammary tissue that feel like little BBs under your fingers
- larger nodules within the mammary tissue, still under the skin
- bloody discharge from the nipple
- straw-colored discharge from the nipple
- pus-like discharge from the nipple
- larger, deeper growths in the mammary tissue that protrude visibly and can be seen as lumps
Want to learn more about mammary tumors and how to treat them? Get the Dog Cancer Survival Guide, and flip to Chapter 31
Spaying and Breast Cancer
Veterinarians often advocate early spay for females because it can prevent breast cancer later on. This is usually done before the first heat comes at about six months.
And it’s true: female dogs who have been surgically sterilized before their first heat, which is usually around 6 months of age, usually live essentially free of breast cancer.
As the spay age increases, this protection drops.
Sounds good, right? Well, yes, as far as breast cancer goes. But you should also know this: early spay and neuter before the first heat is associated with increased risks of other types of cancer. Those other types include the very aggressive osteosarcoma and transitional cell carcinoma.
This is why we debate whether early spays help avoid cancer. The evidence is mixed. Early spays almost completely eliminate breast cancer, which is nice. But early spays INCREASE the risk of more aggressive cancers.
Found a Lump on Your Dog’s Breast? Get It Checked.
The most critical thing to remember is that if you have a female dog who has a bump in the area around the teat (nipple), please get it checked.
Many of these growths are life-threatening. And if you have a female dog who is not spayed (intact), or was spayed later in life (at more than 6 months of age), examination of the mammary tissue of your dog may be a lifesaver.
How To Give Your Dog a Home Breast Exam
A breast exam in dogs? Yes, you heard it here first. You should absolutely examine your dog, especially if she is intact or spayed late.
How do you do it?
First, you have to be able to see and feel her belly. Many dogs already like to lay on their sides or back. If your dog “gives belly,” you can do her exam then … but even dogs who won’t roll over can still be examined.
Whether giving belly or standing up, here’s what you do.
First, find the mammary glands. Dogs normally have ten, two rows of 5 going down the length of the body, one on the left and one on the right. If your dog has an extra teat or a missing teat, or if they are not perfectly aligned from left to right, don’t worry. Variations are normal!
Second, use your fingers to “see” as well as feel, as instructed below. There are two separate techniques to use — so don’t skip these steps.
- To make sure your dog is comfortable, try doing this with two hands, one on the left chain and the other on the right chain.
- Keep your fingers flat and use the pads of your fingertips to “fan” through the mammary tissue up and down the torso, from the head to tail. Start on the first teat on both sides and work down toward the last teat on both sides, feeling for “blips” or bumps under your fingertips.
- Still keeping your fingers flat, fan your fingers left to right, from the first set of teats to the last. You are still looking for those little blips or bumps.
- Next, use the second technique, which is to gently press the mammary tissue to look for deeper bumps or lumps. On each teat, gently gather the mammary tissue between your thumb on one side and your index and middle finger on the other. Keep in mind that this could be sensitive tissue, so be gentle! Gently roll the tissue with your thumb as your fingers hold the other side. Move your thumb in a circular motion and feel for blips and bumps between your fingers.
- Remember, you are looking for little lumps and nodules that feel different from the surrounding mammary glands.
- Any area that is hard or different is worth having a veterinarian take a look at.
- If you can see pus, blood, or any other abnormality on the mammary tissue, get it looked at.
How often to do an examination like this on your dog? I suggest every month or so for female dogs above the age of 7 years.
Even if your dog had an early spay, do a breast exam every once in a while for your own peace of mind. It’s well worth the few minutes.
Treating Breast Cancer in Dogs
Breast cancer in dogs is best treated with a combination of different Full Spectrum steps. In my patients, I use surgery, dietary changes, Apocaps, deliberate efforts to increase life quality, reduction in body fat (a risk factor for mammary cancer), immune-boosting and anti-metastatic supplements, touch therapies, and more. As a rule, this cancer does not respond very well to chemotherapy.
Best,
Dr D
Spay/neuter and the association with cancer in dogs: part one
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
my 6yr old chihahau has a yellowish substance coming from one of her nipples. She has had this happen before, it was a different nipple on same side. This time I notice her belly and chest areas skin is turning a blackish color. I am concerned, I can not afford to go to vet, I am already behind in my bills and I don ‘ t know what to do. She has never had pups or been spayed. Please help, or if you know of some orginization that might help low income folks in Macomb county Michigan..
Hi my 9 year old Jack russel has had two litters when she was young today I noticed her right side second nipple had some brown discharge. I also noticed she had small lumps by her nipple I gently squeezed the lumps letting out a brown discharge. The lumps clearly got smaller as I drained the nipple. It doesnt seem to her her she looked like she enjoyed it. She has not been spayed either. What can should I do, thanks again in advance. James.
Dear James,
please bring your dog to the vet to get these checked. If you are lucky, it is mastitis (infection). However, cancer of the breast is common in intact female dogs and early intervention is best, so do not wait.
Best
Dr D
Dear DR
MY 7 year old dog has a big lump growing under her nipple area
She has never been seen my any vet my aunt gave her to me about a year
Ago do u think a vet will still see her if she has never been checked by any vet?
Dear Jasmine
yes, a vet will be happy to help. Please get it checked!
Best,
Dr D
hi Dr,
i need an urgent suggestion from you , i live in India and medical needs for dogs haven’t been well developed for dogs yet. trusting the doctors suggestions and opinions are risky as we just lost our other dog we’ve had for ten years due to their decision.
The dog i have now , she’s not of any breed, picked her up from the street and she’s been with us for ten years now. She’s been having a small lump or growth on her breast around her nipple. we got it checked by the doctor and he said its a mammary tumor and there’s nothing to worry about. we insisted and asked him if it had to be removed but he still said its fine. it was as small as my thumb. today i had gone out in the morning and suddenly when i came back in the evening its sorta spread around there. i can get hold of that lump by my palm, it was as big as to fill my palm and much softer/wobblier. the small initial lump she had till today morning was rock hard.. and this one now is bigger suddenly in few hours . she didn’t look too hyper so we rushed her to the hospital and the doctor said the same thing ” it must have gotten bitten by some centipede or something there so it looks like there’s an inflammation now , nothing to worry” i somewhat think it really feels like something blasted inside or there’s some sort of leakage inside , under the skin . there used to be a water like discharge lately.
Dear Bijin,
is it time for a second opinion?
DrD
Hey dr i don’t know or I’m not shure but my dog died today I don’t know if she had cancer but her bottom boobies were blue . Be for that she would always play she was always happy but she got sick the blue boobies was one but she couldn’t breath right and she would leave a big old stain of sweat in the covers and she would scream loadly what’s wrong with my dog doctor ?
Dear Dr.
I have a bichon frise, 11 months old that was surgically sterilized at the age of 6 months. I´m very worried beacuse i recently found two nodules the size of 2 olivers located on the lower mammary tissue (near the back legs). The nodules had a very rapid growth and i went to the vet yesturday who gave me an anti-inflammatory to administrate during 6 days.The vet told me that the nodules will have to be surgically removed if they keep on growing.
I just think that it is very strange that my dog has mammary cancer because she is so young and because she was sterilized when she was only 6 months old.
Could you please give me your opinion?
Dear Sandy-
yep, thats a bit unusual. they are not inguinal hernias? are they symmetrical (similar position on both sides)- if so the odds of hernias go up.
D
Im not sure but my jack russell chihuahua mix might have breast cancer she has been scratching her nipples alot and their is little red spots it might be from the scratching though im not sure. She might have fleas and this might cause this but im not wure plEase answer quiqly.
Hey dr.
My female dauchsund was just diagnosed with having a tumor on one of her mammary glands, the vet said it could have been cancerous. She had the surgery the next week and the tumor was removed and the vet had mentioned that it was in the starting stages of cancer. The dog is now home and has been resting now for 2 days since the surgery. After reading a bit more about this problem, i was just wondering if anything else needed to be done. The vet said the dog would be ok, and didnt need any other medication. Could it really be that she is one of the lucky ones, and doesnt need any further attention at the moment, or are there certain medications or steps i should be taking at this point.
Dear Jay,
one of the most important things is to know if it is benign or cancerous. This is critical since on the one hand you have no cancer, and on the other hand, you have cancer.
What did the pathology report say?
Also, did you get your Dach spayed? This may help prevent recurrence or new growths…
Dr D
Dear Dr. Dressier
I think my female german shepered Brit might have cancer. She has these big bumps on her thighs and two of her nipples are very big. I`m getting worried. Right now we can`t afford a vet so is their anything I ca ndo other than putting her to sleep.
She had it when I got her. I couldn’t leave her there to go through this on a hard cold concrete floor with no love, comfort, or a warm blanket to snuggle in. Her puppy days were over so they didn’t want her and were dumping her on anyone that would take her. She didn’t know what to do with toys, treats, or people and didn’t like large rooms or outdoors. I had made the mistake of changing vets because I moved an hour away from mine and that is why I lost my Boxer so quick. Bad, untruthful, in it only for the money vet. I have found that this town is lacking when it come to medical care for human or humane types. I drive that hour if it isn’t an emergency that requires minutes. With the Boxer, it was, but he said she had pneumonia. I even asked him if it could be her heart. With Rose, the chi, the cancer was there and already spreading too far for surgery. I refused the chemo because the survival rate at that point wasn’t enough to put her through it. She has learned to trust me enough that she knows I will try to help her pain and discomfort. When she is in pain, she flips over on her back with her feet up and whimpers while looking at me with those big brown eyes and wrinkled forehead. That means, “I need a belly rub.” I still take her for daily walks but I carry a baby snuggler because she can’t always finish it and my hands sometimes hurts her sore spots. I never know if she can finish it until we get out there. She loves to hike and her best friend is a big 70 lb Boxer that belongs to my son and an even bigger one that lives next door to him, (after me, of course). She is a normal, 7 lb. chi that thinks she is 70 lbs. When I got her she was about 18 lbs on a frame made for a 5 lb dog and the lumps in her breasts were not apparant until she lost some weight. By then, it was too late. I appreciate your response. It was pretty much what I expected, though. She was checked by the vet about 2 weeks ago. This swelling and big lump came up about 4 or 5 days ago tho. I am trying to not be a “hysterical Mom” when I know I am going to lose her anyway. I was almost hysterical over the Boxer and had them that way by the time I left. Even the vet was in tears.