8- Principles of mammary gland disease

Question 1

Name 3 important factors to check on a clinical exam of the mammary gland

Answer 1

EvennessNumber of glands and teats
Basic structure
Size
Texture
Evenness

Discharge, skin crusting?, ulceration

In lactating animals - milk colour & odour

Question 2

Name 3 tests which can be used to check mammary gland health

Answer 2

California mastitis test
Ultrasound exam
FNA

Question 3

What is agalactia?

Answer 3

lack of milk production

Question 4

Mammary neoplasia is common in what species?

Answer 4

Dogs

Question 5

What % of mammary tumours are malignant in dogs and cats

Answer 5

dogs - 50
cats - 85

Question 6

Name the 2 wide causes of agalactia

Answer 6

Failure of milk production
Failure of milk letdown

Question 7

How is failure of milk letdown in dams?

Answer 7

Oxytocin release (Nervous dams - adrenaline blocks oxytocin release)

Question 8

What medication used to treat failure of milk production?

Answer 8

used to treat failure of milk production?
Metoclopramide - prolactin agonist

Question 9

When does mammary gland enlargement occur?

Answer 9

Under progesterone
Due to milk engorgement at weaning

Question 10

What is the TNM system? and describe the 3 parts

Answer 10

T: Describes the size of the original TUMOR a

N: Describes nearby (regional) LYMPH NODES that are involved.

M: Describes distant METASTASIS (spread of cancer from one part of the body to another)

Canine malignant mammary tumour clinical staging