Mammary Tumors

I make it a point to regularly check the undersides of my older female wolfhounds’ abdomens and teats for any signs of mammary tumors. In my lineage, I've noticed a pattern with certain bitches appearing more prone to developing these tumors. Detected early, I have them surgically removed and biopsied, usually revealing benign or mixed cell types. I ensure these tumors are taken out, and thanks to this proactive approach, my bitches typically live to around 10 years without any cancer issues.

Make it a routine to check your females every month to catch any nodules early! If you notice a nodule that feels hard between your fingers, even if it's smaller than a marble, it's important to schedule an appointment with the Veterinarian. They will examine it, confirm its presence, and may schedule your female hound for minor surgery if needed. However, I usually do not sit and wait to see if it gets larger. I have it removed.

Ballyhara Kellyanne

On this surgery topic, it's crucial to first check out my insights on anesthesia for Wolfhounds. Many veterinarians who aren't familiar with Sighthounds mistakenly believe there’s no difference in how to sedate or anesthetize them compared to typical breeds. However, that couldn't be further from the truth. With Sighthounds, the saying, “I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore,” is so applicable. It means that the veterinarian must step out of their usual comfort zone and into a different realm of diagnostics and care altogether.

As a devoted owner, you must stand up for your Wolfhound, as they are unable to advocate for themselves. Being informed is essential. You must familiarize yourself with specific medications and understand their sensitivities to sedation and anesthesia. This knowledge is crucial. Read more about all of this on my anesthesia webpage here on Ballyharairishwolfhounds.com.

For example, in any major surgery on a Wolfhound, unless you have tested for and have knowledge that your Wolfhound does not carry the Delayed Post-Operative (DEPOH) gene then the Veterinarian should administer either Aminocaproic Acid (Amicar®) or Tranexamic Acid, (Lysteda®) one hour before surgery via IV and then the Owner administers it orally every 8 hours afterward for five days. Many veterinarians are unaware of this issue and mistakenly believe that a pre-surgical coagulation panel, consisting of a combination of PT, PTT, and possibly von Willebrand factor testing, is sufficient. Again, they would be very wrong — instead, this could be a life-threatening mistake.

Many veterinarians typically administer Torbugesic as a pre-anesthetic to ease the anesthesia process. However, I do not permit this for my Wolfhounds due to their adverse reactions to opioid medications. They often experience respiratory depression, and one of my females even had a severe anaphylactic reaction that raised concerns about her tongue swelling and potentially choking her. As a result, all my Wolfhound records at the veterinary clinic are clearly marked with a "DO NOT ADMINISTER OPIODS" directive.

We administer propofol to induce sedation directly, and the hound is monitored constantly with EKG, PaO2, SpO2, and blood pressure. Even though propofol is a fast-acting agent with rapid recovery for most breeds -- it can be prolonged in Sighthounds. Mine can take a minimum of 30 minutes, even after minimal propofol induction, for a simple surgery such as removing a nodule. I also decline the typical pain relievers during the surgery and for the hound afterward.

Instead, depending on the surgical procedure (not to include a C-section), I have used Tramadol and Gabapentin in the past with good success, as well as Deramaxx as a pain reliever. An interesting side note about Tramadol is that if your hound has Kennel Cough, also known as Adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2), then Tramadol is prescribed to relieve the coughing.

Years ago, I had one or more hounds who tolerated Meloxicam, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, without any issues. However, everything changed with Ballyhara Kellyanne, who produced two litters for me. She had a shocking and severe reaction to Meloxicam. Since then, I’ve stopped using it in my bloodlines entirely, as her response panicked us, and her offspring could have inherited the same sensitivity. Similarly, I avoid using Rimadyl or Carprofen; I am aware that, in certain breeds, their side effects can include seizures, vomiting, black tarry stools, and jaundice.

If you notice a nodule on your hound, don’t hesitate to address it right away. It’s common for female dogs to develop several nodules on their mammary glands, so don’t be too alarmed if you find more than one. For the latest information on mammary tumors, be sure to check out the resources available from the AKC Canine Health Foundation, New Treatment Strategies for Canine Mammary Tumors.

Canine Mammary Adenocarcinoma

This is a carry over from my previous Blog Post on "Lumps, Bumps, Masses, Tumors, and Cysts." I wrote on the removal of a mammary or breast tumor from one of our female veteran Irish Wolfhounds (8.5-year-old), and the biopsy test is back. Indeed, the results are that the tumor was mammary adenocarcinoma. Naturally, many people at this point may panic or, at the least, are profoundly concerned. I have spoken with my general surgeon, and the recommended course of action is to watch the site where we excised the tumor and its surrounding tissue and also her other mammary glands as well by gently massaging the areas frequently to feel for small pebble-like masses. Further, my surgeon explained that sometimes a resected adenocarcinoma could turn serious and affect internal organs, but that, in his experience, seems to be pretty rare. Usually, if it returns, it will be in the mammary tissue.

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According to the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS),

"More than a quarter of unspayed female dogs will develop a mammary tumor during their lifetime. The risk is much lower for spayed female dogs, male dogs, and cats of either gender. In female dogs, 50% of mammary tumors are benign, and 50% are malignant. However, few of the malignant mammary tumors are fatal.

Additionally, ACVS states that if the mammary tumor is malignant (such as my Wolfhound's breast tumor), the surgical site and regional lymph nodes should be checked for local tumor recurrence and metastasis, as my surgeon already explained, but also abdominal ultrasound and chest radiographs are recommended every 3–6 months to assess for evidence of metastatic disease.

The ACVS goes on to explain:

In dogs there are a number of factors that influence the prognosis following surgery. These prognostic factors include tumor size, clinical stage (how far the cancer has spread in the body), tumor type and grade, and various other pathologic changes seen in the tumor tissue. Benign tumors are cured by surgery, although the development of new mammary tumors (both benign and malignant) is possible. There is a poorer prognosis with malignant mammary tumors, and it also depends on what type of cancer. In dogs, the size of malignant mammary tumors is an important consideration when determining prognosis, both for local tumor recurrence and survival time. The smaller the mass is at the time of surgery (3–5cm or smaller) the less likely it will recur, or metastasize (spread) elsewhere. Dogs can live several years after complete removal of some malignant mammary tumors. So once a mass is found, having surgery to remove it earlier is better.

Keep that last piece advice foremost in mind as although we discovered her mammary tumor several weeks prior -- it grew to a size of a sea scallop in a relatively short time frame before it was excised. It is important to reiterate that mammary tumors are not necessarily always malignant, and some could be due to a highly glandular location. Even in the case of our female's tumor -- although adenocarcinoma was determined by a biopsy -- the rate of growth does not inevitably mean that hers has already metastasized. The rate of growth might also be due to the glandular region. Only time will tell.

One last thought, interestingly, data has revealed, according to ACVS but also other investigative research that in dogs, obesity at a young age is a risk factor.