Mammary swelling

[Iamthedogsmother]

Hi, I'm quite new to dogs. Ive got a ten month old Shih Tzu. She's gorgeous, very happy and healthy in every way. She's been seen by the vets a couple of times for vaccinations, all is well. I'm not going to breed from her and the vet told me to wait until she'd had her first season before being spayed. She had her first season in April and I've arranged for her to spayed in July.

I had her groomed a few weeks ago so her coat is now quite short for summer. I've noticed her mammary glands are quite swollen, particularly the lower two closer to the vulva. They are not hard or anything, but soft a bit like a cow. I'm worried, is this normal? She's absolutely fine in every other way.

It's normal, but if you really are concerned get her checked out.

On some dogs the glands get 'fuller' as they get older. She could have milk in there (even though she isn't pregnant this can still happen, sometimes you may have to empty them!).

I will say, please wait until she's 18 months old before getting her done. She will be fully developed and mature by then. Having her done before this age stunts growth etc

It is possible that she is having a phantom pregnancy. Personally I would take her in for a vet check because if she is, they may very well want to alter the timing of her spay to allow her hormone levels to settle first.