Need some Advice... General/Breeding

[HarleyPA]

Howdy,

I have a very good female, that I have been wanting to breed. She is 4 and a half now, and I have been wanting to breed her for the last couple of cycles, but the timing has been off for me. I noticed a lump on her mamory glad about a month ago. My vet had just gone on vacation, so I made an appoimtment for when he got back into town. That was yesterday morning. He told me that it should come out and be biopsyed. So, she stayed and had it done. The results of the biopsy are due Monday, but he recomended that I have her spayed before we have the results. I chose to see what the results are before doing that.

So, my problem is, what to do? She had one of her teats removed along with the tumor. If it's benign, can I still breed her, and if so, What are the risks to her health? Will she still produce enough milk? Do you all see this as a fault? Is it possibly hereditary?

Thanks for any input you can provide. It's a hard pill to swallow, to see such a good dog and to put time into her thinking that I can get pups out of her, only to have this uncertanty happen.

[Beagle Huntsman]

I'd breed her and spay later. But be sure you keep enough of the puppies to make sure you have a replacement for her. Sometimes you have to ask yourself what is more important....Keeping a line going or risking the life of a hound. If she is really good, I'd want those puppies regardless of what happens to her. You have to think of the future, in my opinion. Spaying just lessens the chance of cancer returning someday, which is not to say that it definitely will.

[Newt]

IMO, you can still breed her. I did and the bitch had a good litter and raised them all. I bred her and she raised a litter of pups while she had the tumor. Then I had the tumor removed, bred her again and she raised another litter. Unfortunately the tumor came back so I eventually had to have her put down.

[HarleyPA]

Thanks for the input.

Did you see any evidence of it being heriditary?

[S.R.Patch]

Many lumps in the breast are benign, I'd wait for the results.
Seems many vet have gone to the camp of the humane soc. and have taken up the cause to spay/neuter every hound they come in contact with. very sad if the owner is wanting to breed, but if you never expect to breed, it can save a lot of headache.
It seems clear your vet wants to disable the possibility of your breeding even tho it is your wish to get a litter. The push to spay before the results of the test are known is a "flag" to me.

The type of tumor it turns out to be, would be the deciding factor of whether I'd breed or not.
Her being 4, has she ever had a false pregnancy before? did the lump appear suddenly?

[HarleyPA]

It appears to be benign.

I really have liked my vet up until now. He has not pushed me to spay, before now. I really don't understand why he has changed. I guess I have to make some calls and find a new vet.

She has not had a false pregnancy. It started as a small lump the size of a pea, I thought it was a wound from a thorn. I waited for it to heal up and disappear, and it just never did. After her heat cycle, which was just two weeks ago, it appeared as though it had enlarged. Maybe the size of a small lima bean.

[S.R.Patch]

Howdy,

So, my problem is, what to do? She had one of her teats removed along with the tumor. If it's benign, can I still breed her, and if so, What are the risks to her health? Will she still produce enough milk? Do you all see this as a fault? Is it possibly hereditary?

Thanks for any input you can provide. It's a hard pill to swallow, to see such a good dog and to put time into her thinking that I can get pups out of her, only to have this uncertanty happen.

If the tumor is clear, I wouldn't worry about breeding her, she'll be fine. Milk is produced according to the load/demand on the bitch, just keep her fed good and plenty of water,... 9 or 7 spickets will do as well as 10 or 8 for feeding pups.

Good luck with your puppies...

[HarleyPA]

Thanks patch.