Gundog Training Forum

I'm not asking anyone to second-guess my vet, but I do have a specific question relating to this issue.

I found 2 smallish-pea-sized lumps under the two rear teats on my 9-year old, intact, spaniel bitch yesterday. they are moveable, seem unattached and are roundish.

Today, the vet tells me she is sure they are mammary tumours and we have the dog booked in for a procedure next Monday.

The procedure will be an x-ray of the lungs to investigate any possible spread of cancer. If anything is found, then its end of story, no further action will be taken.

If no spread is found, then the rear 4 teats and 'pipe's (etc.) will be removed and also the tumours will be examined to prove them benign or malignant. If benign, then great news, if malignant then she will pull through for a bit, but with a possibility of a return of the cancer (maybe) in months or if lucky, years.

I am clear on all that and I am happy with my vets recommended course.

However, the vet seemed a bit gloomy in her prognosis and was pretty sure the tumours would be malignant, yet everything I read tells me that 50% of mammary cancers are benign, and that the type can't be proved until the tissue has been sent to the laboratory?

Thus, my question is to anyone with some experience of this issue is: "have you had a dog with mammary tumours which proved to be benign"?

Obviously, you will know that I am clutching at straws of hope, but given that many papers on the net DO refer to this 50% ratio of benign to malignant, then if true, the dog might have a decent chance.

Cheers, Terry

Yes this happened to my cocker last year when she too was 8 years old. Only one lump though but just as you describe. That was removed and sent off and was proved to be benign. She has recovered completely but my vet has advised me to check the whole area regularly because in his experience these lumps do recur and one day one may turn out to be nasty but so far no recurrence.

It sounds as if you're doing exactly the right thing and although it's easy to say I wouldn't get too worried yet. Hope all goes well

Yes long ago in an old springer bitch who from memory was about 11 or 12, as she had become my parents companion in retirement she had the operation and lived happily for another couple of years, cannot remember the exact ages as it was about 30 years ago.

Just to close this thread.

My bitch had the procedure; 4 tumours, (pea sized) and a section of her mammary system removed and sent off for histology.

Her chest X-ray proved clear, so at least at the time of the procedure no malignancy had spread there.

I also had her spayed given the fact that she was on the table and an incision was being made anyway along her stomach, the vet told me this would be unlikely to improve any future tumour growth possibility but would stop her getting pyometra and so I went with the advice.

The dog bounced right back after the surgery but I was awaiting the biopsy report with some trepidation.

I was delighted when yesterday, the vet sent me the report. The tumours were benign and there was no evidence of any cancer cells in the blood or lymph nodes.

So, she is out of the woods, at least for year or two - of course future growths are possible but I will now be checking her regularly.

Many thanks to the folks who gave me some re-assurance during a depressive time for me.

Cheers, Terry

Great news

Great news, what a relief.

Thats great to hear Terry what a load off your mind.

Very good news, all behind you now.

Really pleased to hear you got positive news as well

Hope all goes well, if it is anything like mine that is it and she will live the rest of her life without a problem.