The Cause Of Mammary Gland Tumors

Neoplastic diseases are the result of an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells subsequently forming a tissue mass. Mammary gland tumors are neoplastic tumors of the mammary glands. These tumors are more common in canine and feline female animals and rarely occur in large domestic animals. Mice are also affected by mammary gland tumors. Although the incidence of mammary gland tumors are more often seen in female canines than female felines, the malignancy rate is higher in felines. The cause of mammary gland tumors in mice can be from an oncornavirus (retrovirus). Hormones may be a cause of mammary gland tumors in canines and felines. In the feline species, hormone therapies (estrogen, progesterone) may increase the risk of mammary gland tumors. Most often in felines, mammary gland tumors are malignant. They have the potential to metastasize to other organs in the body. Bacterial infection may develop. Weight loss and muscle wasting may also occur. Clinical signs seen in felines with mammary gland tumors are a firm nodule or mass are palpated in the mammary chain. Lymph nodes may be enlarged. The mammary ducts may be secreting fluid or
The result of a sodium/potassium electrolyte ratio of less than 25:1 along with increased levels of BUN, calcium and creatinine and a decrease in blood glucose and albumin concentrations may lead to a diagnosis of Addison’s disease. However, since electrolyte levels may not affect Addison’s disease an ACTH stimulation test provides a definitive diagnosis by testing the dog’s adrenal glands to produce cortisol. In this test, initially a blood sample is taken and the cortisol level is measured. The dog is then injected with synthetic ACTH (Cortrosyn®) to stimulate the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. In one hour a blood sample is taken and the cortisol level is measured. Addison’s disease is diagnosed if the dog has no or low response to this