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Mammary tumor in dogs and cats
Mammary tumors are one of the most common tumors in female dogs and cats. In dogs, about half of the tumors are benign, while in cats, unfortunately, they are often malignant. Early detection and proper treatment are crucial for the prognosis. This page gives you an overview of symptoms, what a mammary tumor looks and feels like, treatment, lifespan, cost and what pet insurance may cover. The information is general and does not replace an examination by a veterinarian.
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Time and peace for each patient
Mammary tumor
Related terms
Mammary tumor in dogs, fast-growing mammary tumor, lump in the mammary gland, benign mammary tumor.
What is a mammary tumor?
A mammary tumor is a lump in the udder (”mammary glands”) that consists of cells that have begun to grow abnormally. Risk factors include sex hormones (unspayed female/cat, hormone injections, birth control pills) and advanced age.
Mammary tumor Dog
In dogs, mammary tumors are the most common type of tumor in bitches. The tumors can be benign (benign) or malignant (malignant). Approximately 50% are benign.
Mammary tumor cat
In cats, mammary tumors are one of the most common forms of cancer and 80–90% of % are considered malignant with a risk of spreading to lymph nodes and lungs.
Symptoms and early signs of mammary tumor in dogs
The most common sign that something is wrong is when you find a lump or hard lump in the udder. These can occur anywhere along the dog's udder row, which extends all the way from the chest down to the groin. Sometimes you only feel one lump, but there can also be several in different parts of the udder at the same time.
What does it look and feel like? The size of the lumps can vary greatly, from as small as a pea to as large as a walnut or larger. When you feel the area, the tumor often feels hard or rubbery. In some cases, it can feel mobile under the skin, while in other cases it seems to be stuck to the underlying tissue.
In the early stages, the lump is rarely tender and the dog usually does not react when you gently squeeze it. However, it is important to know that over time the area can become both warm and painful, especially if the tumor grows rapidly or becomes inflamed. If the tumor is allowed to develop, the skin may become red and swollen, and in later stages it may crack and ooze blood or pus.
If the disease has spread or affected your dog's general condition, you may notice other symptoms. These may include swollen lymph nodes in the armpit or groin, but also more diffuse signs such as fatigue, weight loss, coughing or lameness. If your dog is in pain, they may show it by licking the area a lot, whining or pulling away when touched.
If you find a new lump, even if the dog seems alert and pain-free, it should always be evaluated by a veterinarian.
Mammary tumor in cats – important differences
When it comes to cats, it is especially important to act quickly. Unfortunately, mammary tumors in cats are usually malignant and have a high risk of spreading. Therefore, any lump discovered should be taken very seriously immediately.
The symptoms are similar to those in dogs, but the course may be more rapid. It often begins as one or more small, firm lumps along the udder line that can feel like small peas. These often grow quickly and, just like in dogs, can lead to the skin cracking and becoming sore.
Pay attention if your cat starts to wash its belly excessively or if it suddenly avoids being patted on the underside. Since the risk of malignancy is so high in cats, a prompt examination is always recommended if you suspect a change in the udder.
When should I contact a vet – and when is it an emergency?
Finding a lump can be worrisome, and the rule of thumb is to examine too much rather than too little. You should schedule an appointment for an examination if you find a new lump in your dog or cat's udder. This also applies if a lump you have known about for a while suddenly starts to grow, feels harder, or changes shape.
If you have an older dog or cat, for example between the ages of 11 and 13, it is especially important to be vigilant. In older animals, even the slightest change in the udder should be checked by a veterinarian to rule out serious diseases.
In some situations, the condition may require more urgent care. You should seek emergency care if the tumor has ruptured, is bleeding, or if there is foul-smelling fluid coming from the area. The same applies if the wound is large, looks infected, or is not healing.
Also, be sure to check your pet's general health. If your dog or cat seems tired, has a fever, is not eating well, or is showing signs of pain, don't wait, but contact a veterinarian immediately.
Many people hesitate to seek care because the animal is old, but advanced age in itself is rarely a reason to forgo investigation. The veterinarian always makes an individual assessment that looks at the animal's general condition, possible spread and, above all, quality of life - rather than just the number of the year of birth.
Diagnosis: How do you know if the lump is cancer?
If a mammary tumor is suspected, the veterinarian usually does the following:
- Clinical examination – careful examination of the udder and lymph nodes
- Imaging (X-ray) to look for metastases, mainly in the lungs
- In connection with surgery, the tumor is usually sent for histological analysis, where the type and aggressiveness are assessed.
Treatment of mammary tumor in dogs
The standard treatment for breast tumors is surgery, called a mastectomy. The goal is to remove the tumor with a good margin to prevent it from spreading if it later turns out to be malignant. How extensive the procedure is depends on how many tumors there are, where they are located, and how large they are.
In some cases, it is sufficient for the veterinarian to remove a single lump, while in other cases it is safer to remove a larger part of the udder or the entire row of udders on one side.
The time after surgery – healing and follow-up
Many dogs recover surprisingly quickly after mammary surgery. After the procedure, the dog is given pain relief to take home. To protect the surgical wound from the dog licking it, a collar or a special bodysuit is used.
Some time after the operation, a return visit is made to check that the wound is healing well and to remove any stitches. This is also when you will usually receive the results of the analysis of the tumor.
Even after a successful operation, it is important that you as the owner continue to regularly self-examine the udder. There is a risk that new tumors will arise in the remaining udder tissue, or that tumors of a different type will appear later.
Treatment of mammary tumor in cats
In cats, more extensive measures are often required because the tumors are more often malignant. Here, a more radical operation is usually recommended, removing the entire affected mammary gland directly. Studies have shown that this reduces the risk of recurrence and can prolong the cat's survival.
Before operating on a cat, we take extra care to examine the lungs with an X-ray. This is done to ensure that the tumor has not already spread. If the tumor turns out to be malignant, we always consult an oncologist to determine the next steps together with you.
Prognosis and life expectancy – what can you expect?
It is natural to wonder about the future and searches such as ”mammary tumor dog lifespan” are very common. However, there is no simple answer that applies to everyone, as the prognosis is determined by several different factors:
- Whether the tumor was found to be benign or malignant.
- If the cancer has spread to other organs.
- The animal's age and general health.
- Size at surgery – generally, tumors that are smaller than 3 cm have a better prognosis.
The prognosis for dogs
For dogs, the outlook is often good. Statistics show that about half of all mammary tumors in dogs are benign. If these are detected early and surgically removed before they have time to grow large, the dog can in many cases live a completely normal life for many years after the procedure.
The prognosis for cat
For cats, the situation is a little more serious, as the vast majority of mammary tumors are unfortunately malignant. But hope is not lost – early detection is the key. With rapid diagnosis and extensive surgery, good survival rates can still be achieved for many cats.
Quality of life always comes first Whether it is a dog or a cat, the animal's quality of life is always the most important benchmark. If the tumor has spread significantly or if the animal is feeling unwell, an open dialogue with the veterinarian is maintained. Sometimes palliative (relief) care may be an option. In other cases, where the suffering becomes too great, euthanasia may be the last and most gentle decision you can make for your friend.
Mammary tumor dog pictures & mammary tumor cat picture, so you can examine yourself
Pictures of mammary tumors can be helpful, but they can also be misleading – the same type of tumor can look very different between individuals. If you find the slightest deviation – feel free to take photos for your own documentation, but always let a veterinarian assess the lump in real life. Internet pictures can never replace a clinical examination.
- Let the dog or cat stand or lie comfortably.
- Feel with your fingertips and gently massage along the entire udder row, from the chest to the groin.
- Compare the right and left side – does anything feel different, harder or lumpy?
- Look for redness, sores, pus or blood.
- Repeat once a month, more often on older bitches/female cats.
Prevention – can the risk be reduced?
You can't completely prevent mammary tumors, but you can reduce your risk:
- Early castrated bitches (between the first and second heat) have a lower risk of developing mammary tumors.
- Avoid unnecessary hormone treatment (birth control injections, birth control pills) in both dogs and cats - this increases the risk.
- Do a self-check of the udder once a month, especially on older animals.
Cost, insurance and compensation
Since each patient is unique, the total cost varies depending on the extent of investigation and surgery required. In general, an examination costs between 1.000 – 5.000 kr, depending on whether you want to perform a metastasis check before the operation or not. At that consultation, the veterinarian will give you a price quote for what the operation will cost. The price depends on whether we remove a single lump or an entire udder row. We can contact your insurance for a prior decision before the operation to find out if your insurance covers the cost.
Diagnostics & Investigation
The first visit where we examine the lump, offer blood tests and metastasis X-rays.
Minor surgery (Mastectomy)
If the tumor is small and delimited, we remove individual nodules.
Major surgery (Mastectomy):
In the event of major changes or if there are tumors in several parts of the udder, it may be necessary to remove larger parts of the udder.
Prices
Examination of the lump
980 SEK
Lung metastasis x-ray
2500 SEK
Blood test before anesthesia
1750 SEK
Histological analysis (PAD)
From 3500 SEK
Operation
From 9500 SEK
30+ years
experience
200k+
Visit
Frequently asked questions and answers
Here you can read some of the most common questions and answers that we often receive from our customers.
How fast does a mammary tumor grow in a dog?
Some tumors grow slowly over months or years, while others can grow noticeably in just a few weeks. Therefore, any new lumps in the udder should be checked early.
Can a mammary tumor be benign?
Yes. Approximately half of mammary tumors in dogs are benign. In cats, unfortunately, the majority are malignant.
Is it a good idea to operate on an old dog with a mammary tumor?
Often yes. You have to take into account the dog's other illnesses, expected quality of life, the size of the tumor and whether the dog is bothered by it. A healthy 13-year-old dog may benefit greatly from surgery, while a seriously ill younger dog sometimes should not have surgery.
How long can a dog live with a mammary tumor?
If a small, benign tumor is surgically removed in time, the dog can live a long and happy life. If the tumor is large or has spread, the prognosis is more cautious.
Does mammary tumor hurt?
Small, early tumors often do not hurt at all. Pain usually occurs when the tumor becomes large, inflamed, ulcerated, or ruptured.
Should my animal be fasting before the visit?
For a regular examination, the animal does not need to fast. However, if your animal is to be anesthetized, sedated or operated on, it will usually need to fast for 4-8 hours (water is fine). You will receive specific instructions when booking.
Do I need to bring previous medical records?
If you have been to another vet before for the same condition, or if your animal has other illnesses, it would be great if you email the medical records or ask the other clinic to email them to us. This gives us a better overall picture.
Can I give my animal medication as usual before the visit?
Yes, in most cases you should give regular medications as usual. In the case of a planned surgery or specific tests there may be exceptions - ask us when booking if you are unsure.
Do you help with direct regulation?
Yes, we can usually settle the cost directly with your insurance company during the visit. Then you only pay your deductible and any costs not covered by the insurance. Remember to bring your insurance number.
How much does a visit cost?
The price depends on what needs to be done. We have fixed prices for many basic services (see our price list), but for investigations or surgeries you will always receive a cost estimate from the veterinarian before we start.
When should stitches be removed after surgery?
The stitches are usually removed after 10–14 days. In some cases, we use thread that disappears on its own. You will always receive clear instructions for going home after an operation about what applies to your particular animal.
