Hendricks County Animal Hospital

Articles to access:

Article on Equine Cushing's Disease:

http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=416160

Articles on Equine Poisons:

http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=451772

http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=460979

http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=475603

Case of the Month: Meet Tippy

Tippy is a 9-year-old dachshund. She is a dapple gray and caramel color, cute as can be. As a beloved pet, her owner became concerned when a lump was found near her armpit. Immediately she was examined and found to have numerous pea sized masses associated with several of her breasts.  Tippy had never been bred but had never been spayed as a youngster. Biopsies revealed these to be malignant adenocarcinomas. Blood work revealed no abnormalities and chest films were performed to rule out cancer spread.  Two surgeries were performed to remove all breast tissue on both sides.  Being the best patient in the world with a cheerful attitude she has healed well.  Tippy will undergo a spay procedure soon.  In one study ovariohysterectomy (OHE) improved post mammy cancer survival. 

Take home facts:

            The risk of mammary tumors for dogs spayed prior to their first heat is 0.05%.

            The risk of mammary tumors for those spayed after 1 heat cycle is around 8%, after 2 heat cycles 26%.

Words for today:

            Ovariohysterectomy   ovario=ovary, hystero=uterus, ectomy=excision

Removal of ovaries and both uterine horns, commonly referred to as a spay.

Mastectomy   mast=breast, ectomy=excision

Removal of breast tissue. In dogs a chain mastectomy refers to removal of all breast tissue on one side.