I have found a tiny hard lump on Jade, about the size of a grain of rice but round, next to the very back teat. She finished a season about 3 weeks ago, does this sound like it could be the beginning of a mammary tumour.

Can't believe it I was only in the vet's this afternoon and then found it as soon as I got home.

I have a dogue who has had mammary tumours removed twice in two years , when I found hers they were there before I knew it and were quite big , like they'd appeared overnight :(
If I were you I wouldn't feel again for a couple of days then you will know if it has grown , easier said than done I know , I checked Fern's lump eveyday .
Hope it turns out to be one of those small lumps that disappear . Maybe someone more experienced can give you a bit better idea .

Thanks for your reply, will have a last look then leave it as you say. My guess is that it is about 1mm at the moment, so tiny but there all the same.

Yes I would probably leave it a day then check , 2 days would be unbearable. And if they are caught early there are good odds .
My girl has another lump but I'm hoping it is just scar tissue I'm feeling ,the vets say they can't operate again .

Oh no, I really hope he is right and it is just scar tissue.

I have one bitch who had a large mammary tumour removed 2 years ago. She now has 3 more but they are as pinheads and have not changed AT ALL since I first noticed them around March time this year. Hence we have opted to leave them alone and the vet agreed. (The vet couldn't even find them last time he examined her, and it takes me a while to locate them too. I check regularly, of course.) I have a friend who had a bitch have tiny ones like these for years, lived to 15 or 16, and they never grew.

Thanks for that Marianne, I have spoken to a friend who is a vet nurse of many years and breeds Pointers, she has said to just to keep an eye on it. Jade had a phantom last season (with milk) and this season was a month early, so she is thinking it could be a 'post season' something.

Hearing your experiences does make me a little happier. I suppose looking on the bright side at least I know it is there and can keep an eye on it.