Cancer has been a ravaging cause of death in dogs, summing up to 47% of deaths in dogs according to the Veterinary Cancer Society. With over 100 different types of cancer, breast cancer has been diagnosed in 25% of unspayed female dogs. As you read on, you will learn all about its symptoms, causes and how breast cancer progresses in dogs.
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Content:
- Symptoms of Dog Breast Cancer
- Causes of Breast Cancer in Dogs
- Dog Mammary Cancer Stages and Progression
- Conclusion
Symptoms of Dog Breast Cancer
Symptoms of breast cancer are similar to every other cancer in dogs, but this type comes with its uniqueness such as:
- Swollen/painful breast
- Palpable lumps in the Breast area
- Pus-like discharge from the nipple
- Bloody nipple discharge
- Sore or ulcerated breast
Lumps may appear singularly or in multiples around the breast area or abdomen, they are usually warm, firm and nodular when touched. If the cancer becomes malignant and metastasizes, it begins to cause further symptoms like inappetence, loss of weight, coughing, and weakness.
Having the Petcube Camera set up in your home would help you keep a watch out for these symptoms even when you are away from your dog. This way, you can report to the Veterinarian and get your dog attended to on time.
“Female dogs spayed before the first heat have 0% chance of getting breast Cancer”, - Dr. Michael Kearley
Causes of Breast Cancer in Dogs
Breast cancer in dogs has different causes which span across different factors such as age, bread, diet and environment. Let’s look into some of the causes of breast cancer:
Exposure to Progesterone
Progesterone is a pregnancy hormone that stimulates the mammary gland cells to proliferate during pregnancy. Though this is a normal process during pregnancy, a study shows that excessive progesterone production could lead to cancerous proliferation of the mammary gland cells.
Genetics
Breast cancer in dogs has been researched and found to be common in high-risk breeds of dogs such as Retrievers, Water dogs and Washing dogs with pure breeds having a higher prevalence than mixed breeds.
Old Age
Older female dogs are naturally more prone to breast cancer due to the failing health that comes with old age. Dogs over the age of 10 are highly predisposed to this condition due to abnormal changes in mammary gland cells.
Gender
Breast cancer is known to be a female factor contributing condition, especially in adult and unspayed female dogs. However, it has been reported in some studies that breast cancer could also happen in male dogs, accounting for about 2.7% of all breast cancers in dogs.
Lifestyle
There are other groups of factors that could increase the chances of breast cancer in dogs. They include; exposure to radiation, diet and certain medications.
“Spaying your female dog reduces its chances of getting breast cancer to 0.5%”, - Reddit User
Dog Mammary Cancer Stages and Progression
Breast cancer in dogs is grouped into benign or malignant. A benign tumor is void of spread or metastasis which makes it localized. The malignant tumor has the tendency to spread to different parts of the body, which makes the cancer severe and should be considered as an emergency.
Such an emergency would attract a lot of vet fees which can be offset to a great extent if you opt into the Petcube Emergency Fund and enjoy a $3000 coverage in emergency Vet fees. You can also claim a 27% discount by subscribing using the exclusive link.
Breast cancer in dogs progresses through five different stages which are classified according to tumor size and it’s spread.
| Stages | Tumour Size | Regional Metastasis | Distant Metastasis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | < 3 cm | No | No |
| Stage 2 | 3-5 cm | No | No |
| Stage 3 | > 5 cm | No | No |
| Stage 4 | > 5 cm | Yes | No |
| Stage 5 | > 5 cm | Yes | Yes |
Table 1: The stages of breast cancer in dogs and its spread
As a Veterinarian, I have observed that difficult cases of breast cancer in dogs were reported late to the Veterinarian due to the inability of pet parents to identify the symptoms early.
How fast breast cancer progresses through these stages depends on the severity of the predisposing factors. Symptoms of breast cancer should be reported to the Veterinarian for prompt treatment to prevent its progression and spread to other parts of the body.
Conclusion
Breast cancer could be a fatal condition if not tackled on time. Dog parents can take preventive measures by spaying their female dogs and having their dogs checked at the vet regularly. When noticed on time at its benign stage, dogs have a higher chance of beating breast cancer.