As long as there are no signs of infection, there should be nothing to worry about. Spaying causes the dog to go through various physical and behavioral changes. It is natural and normal for female dogs. There are a few things that will affect how much a dogs nipples can shrink after spaying. However, as mentioned before, different dogs respond differently to the reproduction process. A traditional spay removes the ovaries, which are responsible for creating female hormones estrogen and pogesterone. Featured Image Credit: WilleeCole Photography, Shutterstock, How to Get Dog Pee Smell Out of Shoes & Boots (5 Proven Methods), My Dog Ate Chocolate! You could also try an old remedy: vinegar. Inverted nipples are a natural occurrence in dogs and not a matter of concern. Theres also a higher risk of joint disorders and hip dysplasia, particularly in larger breeds. Extra precautions must be taken if swollen nipples are observed in dogs. Female dogs that have not been spayed will have enlarged nipples when they are on heat or when they are lactating following the birth of their pups. If she has puppies, you will need to bottle feed them so they can gain weight and grow as they should. Some dogs have large nipples or saggy mammary glands. Vets have often advocated for spaying, because it does reduce certain health risks. If not properly cared for, inverted nipples develop bacterial infections like mastitis. If you do not have access to a vet in your area, or if you are unable to afford a visit to your local vet, you may be able to get a referral from a friend or family member who has had a similar experience to yours. This leads to increased blood flow between their mammary glands that enlarges and tightens the nipples. If your dog is old when spayed, it might have undergone changes in its hormonal tissues with multiple heat cycles and have permanently enlarged nipples. Your dog undergoes several changes, behavioral as well as hormonal, after spaying. Loose-ish belly skin is another trait shared by many breeds of dog. How useful was this post? If a female dog has puppies and her nipples are enlarged due to the puppies nursing her, once the puppies stop nursing, her nipples will shrink back to their regular size in a few months. Occasionally, her nipples leak milk, but this is rare. Most of the time, the mother dog's nipples will shrink back to their original size after the puppies have been weaned. Because of their young age, pups may scratch the mothers nipples during nursing, which can cause them to start cracking. This causes them to pee inappropriately because they cant control their bladder. They are also more difficult to train. Males and young females will have flat nipples that can be difficult to see, but they are there. In addition, she will likely need to go outside to urinate more often than normal as well. Female dogs with swollen mammary glands should be observed carefully, especially if this is out of the ordinary for your dog. Swollen nipples - Sometimes, but not always, the nipples and breasts will swell slightly. They become fully functional when the female dog has her first puppies. The best way to determine if this is what is going on with your pet is to have them examined by the veterinarian, who will try to determine what is causing this swelling. It all depends on several factors some of which you have no control over. You can't predict the change in nipples if it has undergone several heat cycles. This is done to reduce the number of unwanted puppies that are born to female dogs. For example, the breed of the dog is an essential contributor in such a case. Dog loves the cold and snow and will push right through it but after, there's discomfort from thawing and swelling etc; In some cases, the nipples get exposed as soon as the dog gets on heat and then keep getting bigger until she gives birth. Both sexes start exactly the very same in utero. There is no one-size-fits-all on this but on average the nipples should shrink back in 6-10 weeks. If your dogs nipples are swollen after spaying, they could have an infection in their mammary glands or abdomen. Part of the reason why nipples dont easily go back with time is the lagging skin that is a result of an expanding stomach during pregnancy. There are quite a few types of cancers on the mammary gland, ranging from malignant to benign. That is one of the reasons larger dogs have more nipples than smaller dogs. A lack of proper treatment may result in the swollen nipples becoming worse over time. You could also try an old remedy. By If you suspect that your dog is developing a tumor on their mammary glands, take them in for a checkup immediately. The effects of this are essentially the same as a typical spay, because the ovaries produce female hormones. Nipples get enlarged during pregnancy and after giving birth to puppies to feed them. This is because each heat cycle triggers hormonal changes affecting the dogs mammary glands. (Explained). When your dog is old, it might have undergone changes in its hormonal tissues with multiple heat cycles and have permanently enlarged nipples. Every topic on our website is thoroughly researched and professionally written. It all depends on several factors some of which you have no control over. Since puppies suck on the nipples of their mother, it is only natural that the nipples will be sore and puffy. Be the first to rate this post. Some of these symptoms are very obvious, such as the clearly swollen and red nipples. They might look red and swollen or become engorged, seeming like they are ready for puppies. Once the puppies are weaned and no longer nursing, the swollen nipples should go away by themselves. The puppies have been in the litter for at least a month. There is no one-size-fits-all on this however on average the nipples need to shrink in 6-10 weeks. It occurs when your dogs nipples become infected during their nursing period. Acute septic mastitis means that bacteria enter the mammary gland and cause quite a painful infection. Weaning the puppies is the best way to dry up the mother's milk. You can find a list of veterinarians in your area by visiting the American Veterinary Medical Associations (AVMA) Web site at www.avma.org. Mastitis Image Credit: Nina Buday, Shutterstock (All You Need to Know), Can Puppies Eat Peaches? When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. There also may be a marbling effect with some white dogs, where the pink color of the nipple is more visible through their fur. All dogs, even males, have nipples. This happens because the body no longer produces milk making the teats shrink back. Dog Ate Uncooked Rice? Nevertheless, the nipples might . There are quite a few reasons that your dog could be experiencing swollen nipples. You may find small bumps that are actually nipples, or even a slight indentationin the case of inverted nipples. This depends on the dog's age and how many heat cycles the dog has experienced before spaying. It is not unusual for the vulva to remain swollen for a period of time after the "heat" cycle is over. How long does it take for a dogs nipples to grow during pregnancy? We go to great lengths to help users better understand their dogs; however, the content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Dont reject a good dog because of her sunken nipplesit wont affect her quality of life. Theres typically a noticeable difference between normal dog nipples vs pregnant dog nipples, so if there is any chance that your dog is pregnant, then you should expect her nipples to swell. During the first two stages, their vulva will swell, and they might experience a bloody discharge. How to Get Your Dog Back In Shape after Having Puppies, How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Remove Tartar from Dogs Teeth, 8 Best Dog Recovery Suits (Alternatives to E-collars). However, there are a couple of things you can do to increase the chances of the nipples shrinking back. This can help your vet decide which is the best test to detect pregnancy. The dogs mammary glands are affected by each heat cycle. All dogs are born with nipples, regardless of if they are male or female. Spaying also causes whats known as spay incontinence in 4-20% of females. Do female dogs nipples shrink after having puppies? If your dog was experiencing a false pregnancy before spaying, this may continue after they are spayed. Swollen nipples may indicate an infection or a life-threatening medical condition such as cancer. If her nipples are sore, give her time to heal first before you try this method. As soon as the puppies stop depending on their mothers milk for food and nutrition, and start to eat solid food, the mother will stop lactating. The size, color, and shape of a female dogs nipples will change when she goes into a heat cycle. This gradual tapering off in terms of puppy feeding demand will help the mother's . Spaying was also long touted as a way to solve behavioral issues. Thats why you should get your dog active as soon as she weans her pups. However, not every dog undergoes such changes. Before spaying, the female dog experiences swollen nipples during the heat cycle, pregnancy and lactation. After being suckled day and night by her hungry puppies, she will be sore. Do female dogs still lactate after spaying. This infection can be caused by a variety of bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococci, or Candida albicans. Spaying is a major surgery and has several implications and risks. The gestation period lasts between 58 to 68 days, during which they will steadily get larger. The medication given during and after spaying can also be transferred to puppies through the milk. How Should I Introduce My Puppy to a Dominant Dog? Its also possible that the nipples of some dogs will never shrink back. The dogs nipples can swell and even show discharge. But their meal proportions need to return to normal once the puppies have weaned. However, this will only work if your dog is also exercising and on a healthy diet. For instance, each heat cycle increases the probability of pyometra. There are several factors associated here, including the number of puppies, age of the mother dogs, diet plan, and more. Mastitis. To understand the effect spaying can have on your dog, its important to know what it is. Flat or inverted nipples are not usually a cause for concern. Even after the nipples recede, they will periodically become visible every time she is on heat. Female dog nipples can also become enlarged due to the specific times in her cycle or she could actually have a medical condition. If you are concerned about the possibility of contracting an STD from your dog, it is recommended that you contact your veterinarian to discuss the risks and benefits of having the procedure done. These two items will make the nipples appear swollen because you can see them much better with less hair around them, so that the nipples look like they are protruding. The proestrus and estrus stages are what breeders call being in heat. It will generally last for about 21 days. How long does it take for a dogs nipples to shrink? The mother dog goes through a weaning process for her pups so they will slowly begin to drink less milk and start to eat dog food. The added weight of the milk combined with gravity also plays a role. Spaying can reduce some sexually related behaviors, but it doesnt change other behaviors. To understand the effect spaying can have on your dog, it's important to know what it is. But if the dog is several years old and has had a couple of litters, it might be harder for the nipples to recede. A vet can treat Mastitis with antibiotics and warm compresses to soothe swollen nipples. Some enlarge and stay that way for quite some time while others shrink back to normal in much less time. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Once spayed, the dogs mammary glands, vulva and nipples get smaller in size resembling those of intact females. It is a bacterial infection affecting the nipples and can prove to be life-threatening if not treated on time. As the puppies get larger, she produces more milk to keep up with those pups ravenous appetite. There are two types of mastitis: galactostasis and acute septic mastitis. Spaying does cause shrinkage of nipples in dogsbut the actual effects depend on several factors. All the dogs, male and female, have nipples around their abdomen area. A dog's nipples may be sore and swollen because of this overactive thyroid gland, so you should have your pet examined by the veterinarian as soon as possible. After your dog has been spayed, it's normal for its nipples to shrink. In addition, their mammary glands will begin to grow after 40 days of their conception. And not an on/ off switch. It is important to note, however, that the spay/neuter procedure does not eliminate the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV/AIDS. Check the diet of the mother dog. Dogs are mammals, and as such, female dogs feed their puppies the way that almost any other mammal does. 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