The month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Although this month is dedicated to people, the Humane Society of Imperial County is a huge advocate of preventative care and health awareness for pets. Just like people, our pets can also suffer from breast cancer.
Some pet owners may not know that having unaltered female pets and overbreeding are directly linked to specific reproductive cancers in female pets. Most veterinary experts would agree that spaying female pets has several health benefits. Certain types of cancers and conditions can be completely avoided simply by having a pet spayed. Females that have given birth to multiple litters over several years are more susceptible to mammary cancer. Mammary cancer in pets can present itself as a small, irregularly shaped lump on the abdomen where the pet’s teats are. Sometimes these lumps are hard and can feel like a piece of gravel under the skin. If not dealt with promptly, the tumor may grow and may spread. Ovarian and uterine cancers have also been seen in unaltered female pets. Female pets may also experience a condition called pyometra. This condition is an infection of the uterus. This infection is caused by hormonal changes that occur each time a female pet goes into “heat”. As she ages and with more and more heat cycles, the chances of the pet developing pyometra increase. Pyometra is associated with several different symptoms and can only be diagnosed by a veterinarian. If not caught in time and treated properly, this condition may cause the pet to become very ill, experience a tremendous amount of pain, and may even lead to death. If you have a female pet that is not spayed and you see, feel, or notice something abnormal, please make sure to contact your veterinarian immediately.
