My 16 month old bitch started her first season 4 months ago and had a mild phantom pregnancy - no nesting, but swollen undercarriage and off her food a little.  She was at the vets last week for her annual boosters and I discussed this in passing with the vet.  He examined her thoroughly and found small lumpy growths in two of her mammary glands.  He recommended that if I was not going to breed her then spaying would lessen the hormonal influence on these growths, whatever they may be, sinister or otherwise.  So, I came away from the vet's in a bit of a quandry as to what to do, and am still debating whether to put her through the spay op or not. (She is a giant breed and I worry about the anaesthetic).

Anyway, I have noticed today that one of the nipples is oozing blood, enough to stain her coat and bedding. Now surely this can't be right and something's obviously going on in there. I have had two other bitches in the past, all different breeds, with mammary tumours which did not affect their quality of life, but none were as young as this when they first developed.

Has anyone had a similar experience? Any advice would be gratefully received.

Dot

Get her back to Vet quick and ask for a second opinion if you are unsure. Ask for a specialist. Let us know. x

I wouldnt accept the advice to spay without a diagnosis on these growths, as they may in themselves require surgery. I would insist on a biopsy, and see another vet if this isnt done.

Definitely back to the vets.  She may have cysts and these can puss and bleed.

We had mammary tumours in a 7 yr old Golden, never bled or pussed.