Breast Cancer and Your Dogs

Spaying really decreases the possibilities of aNew research demonstrates that pre-malignant
female dog developing this state. In those femalesbreast cancer cells in dogs are close to those in
spayed before their first heat cycle, breasthumans.
cancer is very, very uncommon. The risk ofScientists at the Purdue University School of
malignant mammary tumors in dogs spayedVeterinary Medicine, in Indiana, have exposed that
before their first heat is 0.05%. It is 8% for dogbenign mammary intraepithelial lesions, which could
spayed following one heat, and 26% in dogscause breast cancer, are comparable in dogs and
spayed after their second heat. It is supposedhumans.
that the elimination or decrease of certainSince our animals have shorter lives than we do,
hormonal factors leads to the lowering ofcancer could be discovered in them sooner. And
occurrence of the disease in dogs that have beensince environmental problems are the same for
spayed. These factors would most likely beanimals and people, we could employ them as
estrogen, progesterone, a hormone alike ormodels, kind of like the "canary in the coal mine,"
perhaps a mixture of two or more of these.informing us of risk factors that we ought to pay
Mammary gland tumors are widespread in theattention as well.
dog, and surgery to get rid of cancerousWhile a veterinarian ought to observe your pet
mammary glands, called a mastectomy, is ayearly, you could do a physical exam on your pet
regularly completed procedure in veterinaryweekly or monthly as well. Have your pet lie on
medicine. Male dogs almost never get mammarytheir side on the floor while you check for lumps,
tumors; additionally, female dogs that have beenor have them sit in your lap while someone else
spayed before their first heat cycle hardly everchecks them over.
get breast cancer.A number of signs of mammary cancer are
The majority mammary tumors in cats areabnormal swellings that persevere or develop
malignant. In dogs, lots of mammary tumors arelarger; sores that won't cure; weight loss or loss
less aggressive. But regardless of what, the massof appetite and bleeding or discharge from any
needs to be checked by your vet.body opening.