According to the Canine Cancer Awareness (CCA) website, non-spayed dogs are seven times more likely to develop mammary cancer, with rates as high as one out of every four intact females.
-
Chemotherapy
-
Chemotherapy utilizes specific medications to kill cancerous cells, with the goal of prolonging life and maintaining higher quality of life.
Identification
-
Mammary cancer can be a single, solid mass or multiple, smaller masses. These masses may be hardened, irregular or circular in shape, and some tumors may bleed or ulcerate, PetEducation.com reports.
Medications
-
Chemotherapy medications used in canines include cisplatin, l-asparginase and leukeran. Vets may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications such as prednisone to reduce swelling, according to the CCA.
Dosage and Administration
-
Amount and frequency of chemo drugs depends on the size and breed of the dog, as well as the size of the tumor, rate of growth and whether it has spread.
Surgical Removal
-
Surgical removal of tumors paired with chemotherapy may produce better results, says PetEducation.com, as vets typically don̵7;t consider chemo an effective solo treatment for canine mammary cancer.
Side Effects
-
Potential side effects include loss of hair, lack of appetite, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. However, less than 5 percent of dogs undergoing chemotherapy will experience side effects, according to the CCA.
-