Facts
-25 % (1 in 4) of unspayed female dogs will get mammary cancer
-Most "at-risk" breeds: Poodle, Brittany Spaniel, English Setter, Pointer, Fox Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Boston Terrier
-Only about 1 in every 4000 un-spayed cats will get mammary cancer. However, 90% of mammary tumors in cats are malignant while about 50% are malignant in dogs.
Home Screening
Since our dogs and cats cannot perform a "self-exam" like people can, it's up to us to do it for them. Dogs and cats have 8 to 10 mammary glands or teats, so it can take some time to check for lumps and bumps. Have your pet lay on their side and gently massage each teat and the surrounding tissue. Note any abnormalities.
Not all lumps are tumors, so don't be alarmed if you feel something unusual. Nursing mothers or females in heat will have enlarged mammary tissue due to hormone associated changes. Overweight or older females may have fatty deposits in the mammary area.
If you find a suspicious lump, bring your pet to the veterinarian for further assessment. Early detection is key just like in humans.
Prevention
Fortunately, spaying a dog or cat before their first heat will reduce the chance of breast cancer to almost zero.
If spayed after one heat cycle, your pet has an 8 percent chance of developing breast cancer. If spayed after two heat cycles, the risk increases to 25 percent.
If spayed after one heat cycle, your pet has an 8 percent chance of developing breast cancer. If spayed after two heat cycles, the risk increases to 25 percent.
References:
http://blog.purinacare.com/post/2011/10/21/Breast-Cancer-Awareness-for-Pets.aspx
http://www.firstline.com
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