Unneutered female dogs have a higher risk of presenting breast cancer

During the years that we have existed as a shelter, we have provided a second chance to hundreds of dogs that live on the streets, victims of human abandonment. 

We very frequently rescue dog females that present tumors in their breasts, and many of them are condemned to live in this condition throughout their lives for being an unneutered, not cared for street dog. 

Breast tumors are very common in females that are not neutered, and although many of them are benign, at least half of the tumors are malignant; only through a biopsy can it be known with certainty if a tumor has cancerous cells or not. 

In Land of the Strays, we have rescued dogs in all conditions. Many of them are in a deplorable state of health, and although we do everything in our power to save them, we are not always successful. Fortunately, many of them live, allowing us to tell stories of success and happiness. 

Lupita is one of them. When we rescued her, she had several tumors in her breasts and one near the vulva, so she had to undergo a radical mastectomy, which consisted of removing both breast lines. The first surgical intervention was precisely that removal, and we also took the opportunity to neuter her. Days later, we removed the large tumor from her vulva. 

Today Lupita is a healthy dog. We maintained all the necessary precautious care during her recovery because her wounds were extensive. We controlled her postoperative pain and healing, and we're glad to say that she will not have any sequels from her surgery, and she will be able to have a completely normal life in our shelter, this while she finds a forever family.

Lupita managed to have a happy ending, but not all dogs have the same luck. It is in our hands to prevent a zaguate from suffering from this evil. If you have a female dog at home, keep an eye out for any lump in her breasts; they are the only symptoms that could generally present near her groin. 

If you can identify any mass, it's time to go to the vet for a checkup. The faster they can detect the type of tumor your dog has, the faster it can be treated: if the tumor is malignant, metastasis can be avoided. 

In addition, one tumor can grow very large in size and weigh several kilograms, which would cause mobility problems for the dog. 

These and many other factors could make a difference if you keep an eye out for any physical changes in your dog. You can make the change and ensure animal welfare, either through responsible ownership or by supporting the work we do in dog shelters.