October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This dreadful cancer has tragically touched all of us at Animal Medical Center of Chicago – whether it is a family member, friend, colleague or client. Our hearts and well wishes go out to all affected.
Breast cancer is not limited to women and men. Regrettably, it also affects dogs and cats. Sexually intact dogs and cats have a SEVEN times greater risk of developing breast cancer when compared to spayed dogs and cats.
Important statistics:
- If a dog is spayed when it is less than 6 months of age, it has a 0.5% risk of developing breast cancer in its lifetime.
- If a dog is spayed after 1 heat cycle only, it has an 8% chance of developing breast cancer in its lifetime.
- If a dog goes through more than 2 heat cycles, than it has a 26% chance of developing breast cancer in its lifetime.
To reduce the incidence of breast cancer in pets, we recommend spaying dogs or cats before 1 year of age.
To show your love and support for breast cancer survivors, please pick up your pet’s FREE “pink ribbon” bandana at Animal Medical Center of Chicago during the month of October.
If you’d like to make a donation to Anti-Cruelty Society’s Spay and Neuter program in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, please click here.
Hopefully, in the near future, we will have a cure for this devastating disease so no more tears will be shed.
Sincerely,
Doctors and Staff of Animal Medical Center of Chicago
