Neoplasms of the mammary glands - this is a fairly common disease, capable of hitting almost every dog. By the way, although mostly it affects female animals, males also in rare cases can be affected by them. Approximately 1% of dogs are diagnosed with this disease, therefore it is desirable for all dogs to know the factors that cause benign and malignant tumors of the mammary gland in domestic dogs . Detection of signs of the disease in the early stages greatly simplifies the treatment, and also increases the likelihood of recovery.
Symptoms and causes of breast cancer in a dog
Tumors consist of irregular cells that are fundamentally different in structure from healthy tissue. The organism is incapable of controlling their division, and it occurs endlessly, which leads to a strong growth of the neoplasm. Often, clinical signs in the first stage in animals are not observed and the rate of development of the disease in each individual is different.
In the earliest period, neoplasms resemble knots, the skin surface in this place eventually becomes bumpy. Even at the second stage, when the surrounding lymph nodes begin to increase, the inflammatory signs are visually invisible and the process of proliferation occurs painlessly. At the 3rd stage, the tumor becomes large, fixed, reddish to color and hot. There are ulcers and unpleasant discharge, there is a formation of metastases. The fourth stage is characterized by the destruction of the body, a metabolic disorder, a large defeat of the internal organs, and severe exhaustion.
Than to treat a tumor of a mammary gland at a dog?
In the first stages it is recommended to almost always produce a mastectomy (removal of the tumor and diseased tissues). If metastases have already begun to spread, then chemotherapy is prescribed to suppress the wrong cells that remain in the body. Folk methods of treating a breast tumor in dogs are ineffective and often lead only to loss of precious time, they are suitable only as an auxiliary therapy. In the case when time is lost and the disease is in the last stages, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and pain medications are prescribed, which can improve the overall condition of the patient.
How many live dogs with a breast tumor?
At the 3rd stage, without treatment, dogs rarely live more than 7 months, but if you prescribe a modern chemotherapy, then after the operation, life expectancy doubles. When treatment is started on time, removal of tumors is carried out at the 1 st or 2-1 stages, then the animal can safely exist after the operative intervention for 5 years or more.