DOI : https :// doi . org / 10.56496 / QVEZ5995

Chloe Mackintosh , PGCert , BSc ( Hons )

Romford PDSA Hospital , Essex

ENVELOPE chloemackintosh @ yahoo . com

Chloe completed a Level 3 diploma at the College of Animal Welfare in Edinburgh before graduating from Edinburgh Napier University in 2021 with a 2:1 in a veterinary nursing top-up degree . During training and since qualifying she has worked for multiple charitable organisations and is passionate about the practice of veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing in animal shelters and charities . Most recently , Chloe has been working at Romford PDSA Pet Hospital and is now embarking on a BVetMed at the Royal Veterinary College .

ABSTRACT Mammary neoplasia is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers in feline veterinary medicine , accounting for 17 % of tumours found in companion domestic cats ( Felis catus ). Diagnosis is based on a physical change to the mammary glands , in conjunction with breeding history , neuter status , age of spaying , and additional clinical signs that may suggest metastasis .

A study found that neutering female cats before 1 year of age reduced the risk of mammary cancer by 86 %, and neutering before 6 months of age reduced the risk by 91 %. Up to 90 % of feline mammary tumours are potentially malignant and therefore surgery is considered necessary in most cases .

This article discusses in more detail the aetiology and pathogenesis , clinical signs , prevention and management of the disease , including surgery and chemotherapy .

Keywords feline , cat , mammary , neoplasia , tumour , FMT , breast , cancer , spay , treatment

Introduction

Mammary neoplasia continues to be one of the most diagnosed cancers in feline veterinary medicine [ 1 ] , accounting for 17 % of all tumours found in companion domestic cats ( Felis catus ).

Although the definitive cause of mammary neoplasia in cats is still not fully understood , there are strong links to the reproductive hormones oestrogen and progesterone [ 1 ] . This understandably puts entire female cats at greater risk of developing mammary masses compared with neutered females , with statistics suggesting that spaying before 6 months of age reduces the risk of mammary neoplastic change by 91 % [ 2 ] .

Owing to the speed at which mammary cancer develops and the rate of metastasis , any active mammary disease requires rapid diagnosis and management [ 3 ] . The treatment can vary depending on environmental factors and the disease process [ 4 ] ; medical , surgical and oncological interventions are all viable options , and should be considered on a case-by-case basis . Owner education remains imperative in preventing mammary neoplasia and in managing treatment and expectations [ 5 ] .

32 Veterinary Nursing Journal