pups nipples

Question
I have 2 miniature schnauzers aged 9 months. The bitch came into season January(just 6 months old) She is being spayed 5th April. The male was done in January. Bo (the bitch) has very swollen nipples and puffy all around the bottom 4. I see the vet in just over a week and will obviously mention this,or do you think it should be looked at sooner.I have only had dogs before so do not know if this is common in bitches? Can you give me any advice please? Thanks Ann

Answer
Ann,

Swollen nipples are common and could be indicative of a couple of different things. After the dog's first heat, the nipples will swell and never return to 'puppy size'.

Another possibility I can't eliminate without knowing more is pregnancy. Was your dog exposed to any male dogs in January, or to your male before he was neutered? Approximately 30-35 days after mating, a pregnant dog's nipples will swell and usually turn a dark pink. If the puffiness you are seeing towards the rear and is actually an enlarged belly, this is even more possible, as she could be over halfway through a pregnancy.

Either way - what I can tell you for sure is that this is not a medical emergency. As long as she is acting fine otherwise - eating, drinking, eliminating, and behaving normally, she'll be fine until you can ask her doctor about it next week.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions.

Ashley