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Mammary Tumor
Mammary tumors are breast cancer in companion animals. Early spaying dramatically reduces risk. In cats, ~85% of mammary tumors are malignant; in dogs, ~50% are malignant.
Key Facts
- Dogs: 50% benign, 50% malignant; spaying before first heat reduces risk to 0.5%
- Cats: 85% malignant; Siamese cats have higher risk
- Third most common tumor in cats; most common in intact females
- Signs: firm lumps along mammary chain, sometimes ulcerated
- Treatment: surgical removal (radical mastectomy preferred in cats)
- chemotherapy may be recommended for aggressive tumors
- Early spaying is the best prevention
- Species: dogs and cats