This is really weird, I have just noticed that my 18 month old bitch has a swollen mammary gland and I can expel blood from the teat.  She has not been in season for 6 months, so is not having a false pregnancy.  She is a maiden bitch as well!

I will try and get an appointment with the vet for the clinic tomorrow evening, as it is nearly midnight now, but has anyone any idea what it is.  She is absolutely fine in herself - full of energy and eating very well. 

I have not put this in the Breeding section because this is unconnected with breeding.

PJA

she must have some find of infection i would think but only the vet will be able to tell you.
Is it painful when you touch it?
let us know how you get on at the vets.
Someone else may of had this with one of their bitches, i'm sure your get some useful replies soon.

Sorry to hear this pja, to be honest it could be anything from an infection to a mammary tumour only your vet will know after an examination and tests, if a tumour try not to worry plenty of dogs have had tumours and are perfectly fine after treatment, often they are just lumps just get her to the vet, well done on spotting it and just let your vet sort it out for her. :-)

Well, it worried me so I took her temperature - normal.  But I gave her some antibiotics that I had in the house and went to the vet first thing this morning.  He thinks it is probably just an infection and has upped the dose of the same antibiotics.  However, he is slightly bothered by the fact that it doesn't appear to hurt her and she has no temperature, so I have to take her back early next week.

If it is an infection, then that doesn't bode well for any litters she may have!  Her mother had terrible mastitis.  I just hope it isn't anything more serious, but have to admit to spending several hours at work this morning surfing for "symptoms of mammary tumour".

I will let you know how it goes.  It isn't a lump, just a very slightly engorged kind of feel over the whole gland.  I only noticed because I was tickling her tum.

It's always a worry until you know for definite, let us know the outcome and I have my fingers crossed for you.