In one word unfortunately, yes.
Did you know that breast cancer is not just a human condition?
Breast cancer can occur in both cats and dogs, and though it is found more often in dogs than in cats, when a cat gets cancer it tends to more aggressive.
Tumors are generally more common in middle-aged, non-spayed female dogs, but can be found in puppies as young as two years old.
What can I do to help prevent cancer for my pet?
There is a glimmer of hope in preventing breast cancer. The single most important thing you can do is to spay or neuter your pet. breast cancer. Having a dog spayed prior to her first heat cycle can almost virtually eliminate her chance of developing cancer. That change goes up to 25% if she is fixed after two cycles.
Check your pet often. Be sure to take your pet to the vet for the bi-yearly visits. Also, make it a monthly habit to do a full-body check. Look at their ears, mouth, nose, paws and then starting at their head run your hands down their entire body to their toes checking for anything unusual. Once you have done a standing check, have your dog roll over and do a more in-depth pat down of their mammary glands. Remember, dogs have 10, five on each side of the abdomen.
What are the Signs of Breast Cancer in Dogs?
Just as it varies for humans, mammary tumors in dogs can range in size and shape. Tumors often grow quickly with an irregular shape. These malignant tumors can also cause bleeding and ulceration. However, if your dog’s tumor does not exhibit these signs, that does not mean your dog is free from breast cancer; small tumors that have been present for a while can suddenly grow aggressively as well. As with most other types of cancer, once malignant tumors in dogs start to grow, the cancerous cells can spread to other parts of the body.
If you do happen to find a lump on your dog, do not wait to go to the veterinarian, make an appointment immediately. It is always best to play it extremely safe and have your dog examined by a licensed veterinarian who will perform a biopsy.
Let me repeat that incase you missed it before: be sure to neuter and spay your animals, not only will it reduce the pet population, but to help prevent breast cancer.
What can I do to Support Breast Cancer Awareness?
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this October we would like to give a little back. By placing an order for one of our “Paws for the Cure” designs through Cafe Press a portion of the proceeds will be donated towards that fight. Show your support and pick up a paws for the cure shirt, pet bowl or stein today.
Check out some other great Paws for the Cure items via Cafe Press. (update: this design is no longer available. If you are interested in similar items, please subscribe so you can be notified when they are available.)
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