{"id":10448,"date":"2026-01-22T17:27:49","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T16:27:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vetathome.se\/?page_id=10448"},"modified":"2026-02-06T16:31:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T15:31:36","slug":"juvertumor-hund-katt","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/vetathome.se\/en\/juvertumor-hund-katt\/","title":{"rendered":"Mammary tumor in dogs and cats"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Time and peace for each patient<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Calm and stress-free care<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Mammary tumor in dogs and cats<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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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.  <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Calm and stress-free care<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Time and peace for each patient<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Mammary tumor<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Related terms
<\/b><\/span>Mammary tumor in dogs, fast-growing mammary tumor, lump in the mammary gland, benign mammary tumor.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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What is a mammary tumor?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A mammary tumor is a lump in the udder (\u201dmammary glands\u201d) 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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMammary tumor Dog\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tIn 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.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tIn cats, mammary tumors are one of the most common forms of cancer and 80\u201390% of % are considered malignant with a risk of spreading to lymph nodes and lungs.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Symptoms and early signs of mammary tumor in dogs<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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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.<\/p>

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.<\/p>

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.<\/p>

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.<\/p>

If you find a new lump, even if the dog seems alert and pain-free, it should always be evaluated by a veterinarian.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Mammary tumor in cats \u2013 important differences<\/h3>

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.<\/p>

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.<\/p>

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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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When should I contact a vet \u2013 and when is it an emergency?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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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.<\/p>

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.<\/p>

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.<\/p>

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.<\/p>

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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Diagnosis: How do you know if the lump is cancer?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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If a mammary tumor is suspected, the veterinarian usually does the following:<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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  • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tClinical examination \u2013 careful examination of the udder and lymph nodes<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
  • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tImaging (X-ray) to look for metastases, mainly in the lungs<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
  • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn connection with surgery, the tumor is usually sent for histological analysis, where the type and aggressiveness are assessed.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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    Treatment of mammary tumor in dogs<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    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.<\/p>

    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.\u00a0<\/p>

    The time after surgery \u2013 healing and follow-up<\/h4>

    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.<\/p>

    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.<\/p>

    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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    Treatment of mammary tumor in cats<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    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.<\/p>

    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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    Prognosis and life expectancy \u2013 what can you expect?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    It is natural to wonder about the future and searches such as \u201dmammary tumor dog lifespan\u201d are very common. However, there is no simple answer that applies to everyone, as the prognosis is determined by several different factors:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhether the tumor was found to be benign or malignant.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIf the cancer has spread to other organs.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe animal's age and general health.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSize at surgery \u2013 generally, tumors that are smaller than 3 cm have a better prognosis.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe prognosis for dogs\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

      \n\t\t\t\t\t\tFor 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.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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      \n\t\t\t\t\t\tFor cats, the situation is a little more serious, as the vast majority of mammary tumors are unfortunately malignant. But hope is not lost \u2013 early detection is the key. With rapid diagnosis and extensive surgery, good survival rates can still be achieved for many cats.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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      Quality of life always comes first<\/b> 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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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