Neoplasms of the mammary gland account for more than half of all cancers in female dogs. These benign or malignant tumors occur primarily in older, unspayed female dogs and initially appear as small, nodular changes along the entire mammary gland, which can later become very large. Different types of mammary tumors can occur.
The mammary glands (= mammary glands) of dogs are arranged in two rows, the so-called mammary ridges, between the front and hind legs. Each mammary ridge consists of five (occasionally four or six) glandular complexes, each composed of a teat and the associated glandular tissue.
Although the exact causes of these tumors are unknown, several factors are suspected of influencing their development. For example, repeated use of sex hormones that suppress estrus increases the risk of benign tumors, whereas spaying the dog before her first or second heat has been shown to reduce the risk.
Since older female dogs are primarily affected, researchers assume that hormonal changes also play a role in the development of these tumors. Studies have also shown that small dog breeds are more commonly affected than large breeds, with poodles, cocker spaniels, dachshunds, and Yorkshire terriers being particularly at risk. A hereditary component cannot be ruled out either. Obesity can also promote tumor formation.
A tumor of the mammary gland causes degeneration and uncontrolled proliferation of glandular cells. More than half of all mammary tumors in female dogs are benign, with only 20 to 40% developing into malignant tumors. Like all malignant tumors, the latter spread very aggressively in the tissue and can metastasize (spread), in most cases via the lymphatic system to the regional lymph nodes and via the bloodstream to the lungs. However, mixed forms of mammary tumors also occur, in which benign and malignant cell areas can be found. This fact suggests that a benign tumor can also develop into a malignant tumor. Early detection and treatment of benign tumors is therefore essential to prevent metastasis.
The first lumpy changes in the dog's mammary glands are noticed when stroking the animal or during a routine veterinary examination, as the affected animals usually show no other signs of illness at the beginning. As the disease progresses, the growths become larger and can be felt and seen. Very large, aggressively growing tumors can severely impair the dog due to their location, so that lameness can occur, for example, if tumors are located close to the limbs. Large or very aggressively growing tumors can cause superficial skin or mammary gland inflammation. As the disease progresses, significant disturbances in general well-being such as fever, loss of appetite, or lethargy (= sleepiness) are also possible. If metastasis (= spread) to the lungs has already occurred, respiratory problems may also occur.
As already mentioned, early diagnosis and treatment of mammary tumors are extremely important in terms of the chances of recovery. If you discover a lump in your dog's mammary gland, even if it is small and appears harmless, you should not wait too long but take your pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Based on your preliminary report and a clinical examination, the veterinarian will often be able to make a preliminary diagnosis.
However, a definitive diagnosis with classification of the tumor type can only be made after removal and examination of a tissue sample. With the help of fine needle aspiration, a method in which a special needle is inserted into the tumor tissue, small cell samples can be taken with a minimally invasive procedure. Furthermore, an X-ray examination can provide important information about any metastases (secondary tumors), especially in the lung tissue.
For smaller tumors with a diameter of less than one centimeter, the veterinarian may initially recommend observation and close monitoring of growth. For larger and fast-growing tumors, surgical removal is the safest and most promising treatment. Depending on the type and extent of the tumor, different parts of the mammary gland are removed. Surgery that only removes the tumor tissue, known as nodulectomy (black circle), should be avoided as it often leads to delayed wound healing and recurrence. In a simple mastectomy, the tumor tissue is removed along with the affected mammary gland (red circle). In the case of particularly aggressive tumors, this operation can be extended to the adjacent mammary complex (regional mastectomy) and the local lymph nodes or even the entire mammary gland (radical mastectomy) (green and blue circle).
Benign tumors detected at an early stage have a favorable to cautious prognosis, depending on their extent. Tumors detected very late and growing aggressively, which have already metastasized, have a rather doubtful to unfavorable prognosis. In general, the earlier the tumor is detected and treated, the better the prognosis.
Since the causes of mammary tumors are not fully understood, their development cannot be completely prevented. However, it is known that early spaying of female dogs significantly reduces the risk of tumor development. Spaying before the first heat cycle reduces the risk almost completely, and spaying before the second heat cycle reduces it by a quarter. However, since early spaying is controversial for various reasons, you should always discuss such a decision with your veterinarian in detail beforehand.
This muscle disease, which was only discovered in recent years, occurs primarily in Quarter Horses and cold-blooded animals and is characterized by the storage of excessive amounts of glycogen (animal starch stored in cells) in the horse's muscles. It is known as polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM).
This infectious disease, medically known as foal septicemia, is often fatal and affects newborn foals up to 4 weeks of age. The pathogens enter the bloodstream in various ways and can spread throughout the entire organism. However, the disease most commonly manifests itself in the joints, which is why it is colloquially known as foal paralysis.
Dogs and cats can go blind for various reasons. However, this does not mean "the end" for our beloved four-legged friends. Dogs and cats in particular, who live together with us humans, are very good at compensating for their loss of sight with other senses and can continue to lead almost normal lives.
Ectropion is a malposition of the eyelid that mainly affects the lower eyelid. The outer edge of the eyelid is turned outward and hangs down, which is why it is also referred to as a "drooping eyelid." This malposition prevents the eyelid from closing normally, leaving the eye permanently slightly open.
Tracheal collapse is a condition in dogs that causes the windpipe (trachea) to collapse. It mainly affects small breeds such as Yorkshire terriers, miniature Spitz, poodles, and Pekingese. The condition often manifests itself in the first few months of life, sometimes with severe breathing problems.
The tendons are part of the musculoskeletal system and act as the connecting links between the muscles and the skeleton. They consist of strong, flexible tissue, transfer energy from the muscles to the bones, and thus enable targeted movement. Their special structure, consisting of parallel connective tissue fibers grouped together in bundles, gives them enormous tensile strength and elasticity. The flexor tendons of the front legs are particularly exposed to extreme stress in horses, as more than half of the body weight has to be carried by the forehand. Tendon damage is one of the most common causes of lameness, especially in sport horses. In most cases, the structures affected on the front leg are the superficial flexor tendon, the deep flexor tendon, the suspensory ligament, and the fetlock joint (see diagram). As there are very few nerves and blood vessels in the tendon tissue, healing is very slow.
The air sacs of horses are part of the upper respiratory tract. They develop in foals as a mucous membrane protrusion on both sides of the Eustachian tube (the connection between the middle ear and the nasopharyngeal cavity), each with a capacity of approximately 300 ml. Air sacs are found exclusively in equines and some other odd-toed ungulates, making them a unique feature. There are various theories about the function of the air sacs. The most likely is that they serve to cool the brain. There is a connection between the horse's throat and the air sacs, which is why infections of the upper respiratory tract can also spread to the air sacs. The most important diseases of the air sacs are described below.
Sticker's sarcoma is an infectious tumor of the external genital organs of male and female dogs. It is also known as transmissible venereal tumor or venereal sarcomatosis. The disease occurs worldwide, but is primarily found in tropical and subtropical countries (Mediterranean region, Africa, Eastern Europe, South America) where there is a large population of stray dogs.
Botulism is a serious neurological disease caused by the ingestion of botulinum toxin (a poison) from contaminated feed. Even the smallest amounts of this toxin can cause severe poisoning in horses, leading to death.
This term refers to a deforming disease of the spine. It occurs mainly in large dogs and involves spur-like or bridge-shaped bony growths on the underside, side, or, in rare cases, the top of the vertebral body.
The topic of deworming is a recurring discussion among horse owners. For anyone wondering whether it is necessary to deworm their horse, the answer is yes. Anyone who has ever seen how vast numbers of worms can completely block parts of the small or large intestine during colic surgery will no longer ask this question. Without treatment, worm infestation can become life-threatening for horses. Initially, a noticeable increase in tail rubbing may be an indication of this. As the infestation progresses, internal organs can be damaged and colic can occur. The horse loses weight despite being fed adequately. The parasites weaken the horse more and more. Regular deworming is necessary to reduce the infestation to a level that is tolerable for the horse's organism. It is almost impossible to completely rid the horse of worms, as new infections will always occur through the environment. There are two methods of deworming: strategic and selective deworming. You should avoid alternative deworming methods.
The question of finding the right horse is certainly on the minds of many seekers. It is difficult to say right away whether you, as a buyer, will develop a deep connection with a horse you have tried out. Friendship and love grow over time. However, giving it some thought beforehand will certainly help you find your perfect horse in the end.
