Mammary tumor in a dog: photo, treatment

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Oncological diseases are becoming more common. And, unfortunately, not only in humans. Our smaller brothers are no less susceptible to this formidable disease. Veterinarians note that over the past twenty years, the number of animals with tumors of various nature and size has increased at least five times. Perhaps, earlier they were simply not brought to the clinic, and the dogs lived out the time allotted to them without medical help. Be that as it may, today we have a chance to help pets, and it should be used.

At risk

A mammary tumor in a dog is diagnosed today in 20% of animals that have reached the age of 10-12 years. The numbers are huge, even if we take into account that not everyone has such a term. But even younger dogs often arrive at clinics with suspicions of oncology. The quality of treatment will depend on how timely the treatment was. Therefore, the attitude of the owners to wait is a fundamentally wrong belief.

Mammary tumor in a dog is found not only in females. In males on the stomachalso have nipples, even if they are underdeveloped. But this does not protect animals from this formidable disease. Of course, in males it is about 100 times less common, but almost always fatal.

And we move on. Who else is at risk? This is important for every owner to know in order to be prepared to deal with a disease such as a mammary gland tumor in a dog. Both benign and malignant, they occur in all bitches with functioning ovaries. That is, almost every female who has entered reproductive age is at risk. If you are not planning a show career and professional breeding activity, then it would be much better to sterilize your pet before she reaches 6 months of age. Surgery later in life does not guarantee a reduced risk of cancer.

Dozens of species and subspecies

Not every mammary tumor in dogs is deadly. To date, there are several dozen varieties of cancers, as well as simple tumors. For ease of understanding, they are divided into two groups: benign and malignant. If the first can cause mechanical compression of tissues and circulatory disorders, then the second gives metastases and, in fact, destroys the body from the inside. Malignant growths annually cause the death of thousands of animals around the world.

Genetic predisposition

The same can be said about people. Some families have a genetic predispositionto breast cancer, and from generation to generation, women undergo surgery to remove this organ. We observe a similar phenomenon in our smaller brothers. Tumors of the mammary glands in dogs are most often found in Toy and Miniature Poodles, English Setters and Cocker Spaniels, Setters and German Shepherds, and Yorkshire Terriers. The median age is approximately 10 years, but today there is a rapidly increasing number of visits to veterinary clinics with dogs from the age of one to five, with confirmed cancer.

One, two, many

Those who kept animals at home are well aware that their nipples are located along the entire surface of the abdomen. There are cases when there are single benign tumors of the mammary glands in dogs. That is, one of the nipples turns into a hard ball that rolls under the fingers. But it does not grow and does not bother the pet in any way.

However, most often, about 40% of animals have multiple development of tumors. Both rows of mammary glands are usually involved in this process. This may be accompanied by a severe inflammatory process, and in some cases even necrosis. Can benign and malignant tumors be distinguished? The first is usually palpable as a small ball that is very mobile and rolls when palpated. Usually it has a smooth, regular shape. In the malignant course of the process, it is attached to the wall of the abdominal cavity, which can also be determined by an experienced doctor during palpation. Such tumors grow rapidly, have an irregular shape. On the surface, we see ulcerative lesions, reddening of tissues, swelling of the limbs.

Approximately half of all cases reported to veterinary clinics are benign tumors of the mammary gland in dogs. These include complex adenomas and simple adenomas, fibroadenomas and papillomas. What to do with them, the veterinarian will decide. It is better not to touch some formations, for the treatment of others a course of special preparations is prescribed. But the other half of the shaggy patients are those who are much less fortunate. They are diagnosed with osteogenic sarcomas, fibrosarcomas, cystic adenocarcinomas and other unpleasant neoplasms, which in some cases are fatal.

Symptomatics

Or what an attentive owner should pay attention to. A breast tumor in a dog, the photo of which we provide in our article, manifests itself in the form of a small induration. However, in some cases it remains the same size year after year, while in others it slowly but surely grows. In the case of severe malignant neoplasms, the tissues around this site become inflamed and undergo necrosis. If you see that the bump is constantly growing, and even more so if it has opened and pus is flowing from it, then do not waste time. This is the only way to save the dog's life if it's not too late.

Reason for development

Where do cancerous tumors come from is a question that modern medicine and veterinary medicine has not yet fully answered. There are many theories that prove the effect of carcinogenicsubstances and bad ecology of the city. But this does not explain why all dogs living in this region do not get sick. Some breeds have a genetic predisposition, we have already discussed this above.

Relatively recently, veterinarians made a new statement. Feeding moldy foods encourages tumor growth. Of course, this mostly applies to dry, cheap feed. In this case, the manufacturer does not care about the quality of the initial products, and often spoiled and moldy meat and fish meal is used, to which dyes and flavors are added. To protect your pet from a hard fate, feed him natural food or choose only super-premium products.

The last factor that veterinarians note as a possible cause of the development of tumors is the vital activity of worms. By themselves, they do not provoke tumor growth, but their presence in the intestine increases the chances of oncology.

Diagnosis first

Noticing a bump of any size on the belly of their pet, each owner begins to think about removing a tumor in the dog's mammary gland. However, first of all, the doctor needs to understand what neoplasm he is dealing with. Compaction in the mammary gland and its necrosis can also occur when oncology has nothing to do with it. Therefore, it is important to choose a good clinic where doctors have the opportunity to conduct high-quality diagnostics. It includes:

• Complete blood chemistry.
• Microscopicblood test.
• Urine analysis.
• X-ray of the chest and abdomen to detect metastases.
• Biopsy of a tumor to reveal its properties.

What predictions

This is the most difficult question that every doctor must honestly answer to his patient. It is impossible to say in absentia how long dogs with a breast tumor live. Both the prognosis and the course of treatment will depend on several factors. This is the type of tumor, the condition of the animal, the possibilities of the owner, including financial and temporary.

Of course, the presence or absence of metastases will be decisive. If the tumor is benign, then the prognosis is favorable, despite its size. Malignant tumors of small sizes, up to five centimeters, allow a cautious prognosis. If the size is larger, then it is unfavorable.

Therapy

The only intervention currently available is the removal of a dog's mammary tumor. Moreover, this decision can also be made in the case when it is benign, just in this case, the chances of recovery are much greater. However, the neoplasm must be excised. But how this process will proceed depends on the age of the animal, its physiological state and constitution, as well as on the neglect of the process.

Based on this, the operation will also take place differently. The dog's mammary tumor can be cut out on its own, or the doctor will remove the abdominal wall muscles along with it andmammary glands completely. As a rule, you have to immediately remove the ovaries, so as not to provoke serious problems on the hormonal background.

Drug therapy

There are no special pills or drugs that would completely eliminate a mammary gland tumor in a dog. How to treat an animal in addition to surgery, the veterinarian will decide based on the examinations. As a rule, all drugs used are very specific and expensive. Without a special purpose, no one will sell them anyway.

It is very difficult for a doctor if a malignant tumor penetrates deep into the surrounding tissues, and sometimes grows through vital organs, which cannot be completely removed. In this case, the surgeon tries to clean the cavity of tumor cells as much as possible, after which long-term chemotherapy is prescribed. We emphasize that today a tumor of the mammary gland in a dog is being considered. Treatment for cancer of the intestines and other organs may take place in a slightly different scenario.

So, chemotherapy can take a long time, it is she who is designed to prevent the recurrence of the disease. However, in an adult dog, only complete excision of the tumor gives a pronounced positive effect. And in this case, the body experiences tremendous stress from the operation, which is superimposed on an aggressive drug effect. The immune system weakens so much that it may simply not be able to resist oncology in the early stages of therapy. That is, until the moment when it gives results, the dog simply will not live. Exemplarythe period when it will be possible to talk about successful treatment is 6.5 months.

Post-op period

After the dog's mammary tumor has been removed, a long rehabilitation will be required. The duration depends on the quality of the operation and the condition of the animal. But be that as it may, a seam flaunts on the dog's stomach, which requires constant attention. Therefore, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, potassium permanganate and brilliant green are the most necessary drugs today. Every day, morning and evening, it is imperative to process the seam and make sure that there is no inflammation. The first 5-10 days you need to take it to the veterinarian for control every day, then you will already work out your schedule. Most often, a consultation is scheduled every 2 months in order to trace the state of the body with the help of X-rays, namely, the absence of metastases. All other medications, including painkillers, must be prescribed by your doctor.

If the tumor opened up

It happens, and quite often. Especially in the case of malignant tumors, when they sometimes grow in a few weeks. Or the opposite situation. The bump has been the same size for years without disturbing the animal. However, suddenly a tumor of the mammary gland in a dog opened up. What should the owner do in this case? First of all, show the animal to the veterinarian. If this is a malignant neoplasm, then the pet experiences severe pain, to which constant discomfort due to a festering wound will now be added. Is it worth it to continue this torment? OnlyBased on the tests done, the doctor can recommend what to do next. If the age of the animal exceeds 12 years, then the success of the operation is in question, because the heart may not be able to withstand such a load. However, everyone should have a chance to be saved.

First Aid

Before you get to the doctor, you need to treat the opened abscess. For this, hydrogen peroxide and a bandage, cotton wool are useful. Wash off the blood and pus, make a sterile bandage and apply to the wound. In order to stretch the inflammation, you can apply streptomycin ointment. However, this is only a one-time impact, so as not to aggravate the situation with a bacterial complication. Next, the doctor must assess the condition and prescribe treatment. This is a difficult test for every owner. A sick pet needs to be taken to the clinic several times a day, take time off from work, negotiate with taxi drivers. In addition, the services of veterinarians today are very expensive. But what can you do, because we are responsible for those we tamed.

Instead of a conclusion

Any seals and bumps on the body of your pet is a reason to immediately consult a doctor. Not the fact that it is deadly, but you can’t pull it either. The clinic must be chosen very carefully, today many offices are being opened where one doctor works, often not the most experienced, without any diagnostic equipment. And of course, he is ready to accept any shaggy patient, as well as conduct a course of treatment for all diseases. Run away from these doctors. You need a good clinic wherethere is an oncologist surgeon, and there is a modern laboratory. If you are a busy person, then find out right away if there is a hospital at the clinic where your pet can be left for a day for examinations and necessary manipulations, as well as overnight after surgery. Only in this case, your pet has a chance to live next to you for many more years.