Veterinary researchers have also found that pets, which have been altered, are less likely to suffer from certain cancers of the reproductive tract. Male dogs can suffer from prostate problems, just like men do. The best option and often the only humane treatment for an enlarged prostate gland in a male dog is surgical castration. Eliminating the production of testosterone causes the prostate to shrink to normal size, and allows the dog s urinary system to return to normal. Our female dogs are also positively affected by spaying.
Female dogs can develop breast cancer, just as women do.
While veterinarians can surgically remove breast tumors, there is no effective treatment to cure malignant breast cancer, once it has spread throughout the bodies of our canine companions. The best option, as always, is prevention. Don t despair if you missed the mark and your dog has come into heat once. Surgery before the second heat cycle still significantly reduces your dog s chance of developing mammary gland cancer. Unfortunately, surgery after the second heat cycle doesn t help protect against cancer.