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Expert: - 8/14/2010


Question
My dog Rage, a blue nose pitbull has developed a large amount of swelling on her upper right breast. Its firm and doesn't seem to bother her. Shes about 8 yrs old and has irregular panting. When she lays down she shivers as if she was cold or has a fever. I would like know what can cause this. Another thing i'm concerned about is she has a grape sized blood blister on her right inner back leg where the skin attaches her breast to her stomach. I would also like to know how that's caused and if it has anything to do with the swelling of her right front breast.

Answer
If you read my profile you can see I am not a vet and don't diagnose anything, but I can give you an idea of what it might be. Only a vet can tell you for sure.

Your dog is eight and is she spayed? Grapes size or large swellings around the teats are generally mammary cancers which can and will spread to the lungs, just like breast cancer does in humans if they are not removed and left for a long time.

If she isn't spayed, she needs to go now. Your vet is best qualified to feel these tumors and look at them and diagnose what they are.

Even if she is spayed, but was spayed after the age of 4 there is a good chance that's what these are.

Here is a photo of what they can look like:

http://www.vetsurgerycentral.com/images/oncology/mammary_tumor/mammary.jpg

that is a picture of a dog on a surgery table having hers removed.

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

Organizations
Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

Education/Credentials
Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

Awards and Honors
Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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