Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Mammary tumors in female dogs in Sweden - risk and rates
By Engdahl, Karolina et al.·Published in Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)·2025·Department of Clinical Sciences·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: The epidemiology of mammary tumours in insured female dogs in Sweden.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study in Sweden found that mammary tumors are the most common type of cancer in female dogs, particularly affecting those around 9 years old. Breeds like the Kerry blue terrier and English springer spaniel are at a higher risk, while German spitz and English bulldogs are less likely to develop these tumors. Dogs with a history of false pregnancies or mastitis had a greater chance of getting mammary tumors. Unfortunately, many dogs diagnosed with this condition did not survive, with some breeds like the Large Munsterlander having a significantly higher risk of death related to mammary tumors.
People also search for: dog mammary tumor symptoms · mammary cancer in Kerry blue terriers · treatment for dog breast tumors
Abstract
Mammary tumour (MT) is the most common neoplasia in bitches. This study explored the incidence and cause-specific mortality rates of and risk factors for MT in dogs insured by Agria Djurförsäkring in Sweden, 2011-2016. The study population included just over 600,000 dogs, and 13,109 females had veterinary care claims for MT. The incidence rate in females was 157 cases per 10,000 dog-years at risk (95 % confidence interval (CI): 154-160). The breeds at highest risk of MT were the Kerry blue terrier (relative risk (RR) 4.72, 95 % CI 2.58-7.92) and English springer spaniel (RR 3.32, 95 % CI: 3.02-3.63), while the breeds at lowest risk were the German spitz (RR 0.06, 95 % CI: 0.00-0.33) and English bulldog (RR 0.07, 95 % CI: 0.00-0.37). The median age at first MT diagnosis was 8.94 years (interquartile range (IQR) 7.43-10.5). The Dogue de Bordeaux (median age at diagnosis 5.30 years) and Irish wolfhound (6.42 years) were youngest at diagnosis, and the Miniature dachshund (10.9 years) and West Highland white terrier (11.0 years) were oldest. Higher odds of MT were found in bitches with a history of pseudopregnancy (OR 2.10, P < 0.001) and acute mastitis (OR 4.93, P < 0.001). In total, 486 bitches died of MT-related causes at a median age of 9.32 years (IQR 8.37-9.99). The Large Munsterlander had the highest risk of MT-related death (RR 40.3, 95 % CI: 8.28-118.4). In conclusion, MT mainly affected middle-aged to older bitches. Large breed-related differences in the risk of MT and age at diagnosis were found.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40254121/