If your puppy comes from dogs with a strong history of canine breast cancer, you may wonder if there's anything you can do to protect your pet from the disease. Canine breast cancer can devastate the lives of dogs and their owners. One of the ways to protect female dogs from canine breast cancer is spaying. Learn more about canine breast cancer and how spaying your puppy now can protect its life for years to come. 

What's Canine Breast Cancer?

Many people may think breast cancer only affects humans. Although breast cancer is prevalent in humans today, it may also affect female dogs. Female dogs can develop canine breast cancer over time.

Canine breast cancer develops in mature female dogs or dogs who are six months of age or older. The cancer causes small tumors to show up in the dogs' breast tissue. The tumors may be malignant or they may be benign. About 50 percent of canine breast cancer tumors are malignant.

Canine breast cancer exhibits a number of symptoms as it develops, including abdominal and breast pain. Pets may also become lethargic or ill from their condition. Pet owners may not know what to do about their dogs' symptoms, especially if the symptoms occur all at once.

If you think your puppy will develop canine breast cancer in the future, ask a veterinarian to spay your pet soon. 

How Does Spaying Stop Breast Cancer?

Spaying removes the ovaries and/or uterus of female animals. The procedure requires a veterinarian to complete it and normally doesn't cause any health problems for dogs. In most cases, spayed pets tend to be calmer and more relaxed in the home.

A veterinarian may ask you about your puppy's family line before they complete the procedure. A vet must ensure your puppy doesn't already show signs of canine breast cancer. If your pet does show signs of breast cancer, a veterinarian may opt to treat them before they do anything else.

If your puppy doesn't show signs of breast cancer, a vet will prepare them for spaying. If your pet becomes frightened easily, inform a vet immediately. An animal doctor will take steps to keep your pet calm before and after the procedure.

After a pet doctor spays your dog, they may schedule a follow-up appointment for them. The appointment may help monitor your pet's health to ensure they stay free of canine breast cancer.

Learn more about canine breast cancer and how spaying may help prevent it by contacting a veterinarian today.

Speak to your veterinarian to learn more about the benefits of having your pets spayed and neutered.