Brown discharge from dogs nipple

[Chieftess]

I have a nine year Boston Terrier who was spayed before I adopted her. I took her to the vet for her check up a few days ago. Yesterday she was on her back looking for a belly rub when I noticed kind of a lump above her top right nipple. It felt like a vein, but today I noticed the nipple the lump is over, was leaking a brown looking fluid. It's not blood because if anything it's more brown than red. Any idea what could be wrong with my dog?

[Arnold L Goldman, D.V.M.]

I would add that in older spayed female dogs, it is fairly common to have cystic mammary ducts which may swell with a brownish or tan discharge and leak from a nipple. Occasionally mammary gland cancer can look like this as well. certainly have your veterinarian look at it soon.

By the way I love Bostons too and I have 4 of them! a great breed!

[Jim Humphries, B.S., D.V.M.]

This could be something from the recent spay, but seems too high on the abdomen. It is also possible this is a reaction to a towel clamp used at the time of the spay.  

If a hard lump can be felt and is over a nipple I would also be concerned about an infection or a tumor.  

An exam should find you an answer.  When is she due for a followup?  You might try a warm compress several times a day to see if that helps.  

I think the veterinarian who spayed her should look at that spot.  

I hope it is a very small problem.  let us know.