Success Story: Jordan

Jordan is a 7-year-old Lab/husky mix. Late last week, her family noticed a golf-ball sized lump on her chest. A week later the lump had grown to the size of a softball. Worried about their pup, they took her to the vet, where they learned that Jordan had a mass in her mammary that needed to be  removed right away.

Jordan is also unaltered (or, not spayed), so the vet also recommended getting Jordan spayed because if she were to remain intact there is an increased chance that hormones would cause the mass to come back; and if this is cancerous they would progress at a faster rate.

Jordan comes from a family of five who had their hours cut back from work and their rent raised, so they reached out to Fur Kids Foundation for help. Jordan has had her surgery, and we expect her to make a full recovery.

For those who don’t know, there are few cancers that are as easily prevented as mammary cancer in dogs. According to an article from Drs Foster and Smith, There is a well-documented link between the early spaying of female dogs and the reduction in the incidence in mammary cancer. The article states:

Dogs spayed before coming into their first heat have an extremely small chance of ever developing mammary cancer. Dogs spayed after their first heat but before 2.5 years are at more risk, but less risk than that of dogs who were never spayed, or spayed later in life. Early spaying is still one of the best things pet owners can do to improve the health and ensure a long life for their dogs.

Mammary cancer is a very common cancer and can often be successfully treated, if caught early. If you find a lump in the mammary tissue of your dog, you should contact your vet immediately. You can read more about mammary cancer in the articles below:

1. The Bark: Breast cancer in dogs
   
2. Canine Cancer: Mammary Cancer
   
3. PetMD: Mammary Gland Tumor in Dogs
   
4. VetStreet: What you should know about breast cancer in cats and dogs 

​If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help families with animals, please consider making a tax-deductible donation. The money helps families during a time when they may not be able to afford adequate veterinary care. Check out more Success Stories.