VOICE
WVMA In This Issue
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From the President Gathering to Celebrate Our Peers
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From the Executive Director Impressions on the Next Generation
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Legal Briefs Election Time - Meet the Candidates
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In the News Governor Asks WVMA Members to Participate in Online Survey
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Markel to Lead UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine
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H3N2v Outbreak Associated with Swine Exposure
12-15 Classifieds
OCTOBER 2012
Got Pink? WVMA Member Enhances Breast Cancer Awareness In Pets Beyond Halloween, October is most notably known as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and WVMA member, Dr. Marthina Greer of Lomira, is using it to bring awareness to mammary gland cancer in pets. During the month of October, she and the staff in her clinic wear pink to promote awareness of this disease. In addition, every female dog goes home with a pink, breast cancer awareness bandana. Dr. Greer also takes time to educate owners on mammary gland cancer and the importance of early detection. Education about mammary gland cancer should begin during the decision of having the animal spayed. There are many Dr. Greer’s October Breast benefits to both spayed and intact animals, but either way, Cancer Awareness Clinic mammary gland cancer is usually not discussed, she says. Regimen Unfortunately, mammary tumors in intact females have a 1. Giving a breast cancer bandana to each high prevalence rate, with over 50 percent being cancerous. female dog who visits our practice this When spayed before the first heat cycle, chances of getting month. mammary gland cancer are less than one percent. As the dog 2. Giving 12 pink breast cancer stickers to matures, her risk increases with each subsequent heat cycle, she explains. put on their calendar, along with their stickers for flea and heartworm medication She encourages veterinarians to step up educating clients reminders. This is a way for owners to about mammary gland cancer risks and the importance of a monthly exam. remember to examine their pets and themselves. Early detection is essential. “As veterinarians, we do a great job educating our clients on 3. Discussing the benefits of spaying with numerous topics,” she says. “But we just don’t talk about this.” She notes that when it is discussed, most clients don’t clients regarding the prevention of breast understand what the term mammary cancer really means. cancer. “Call it breast cancer,” she says. “Telling the owner ‘your 4. Teaching clients and groomers to feel for dog has a mammary tumor’ doesn’t garner the same effect lumps along the mammary chain. as saying ‘your dog has breast cancer”. 5. Giving a free breast exam by a doctor to Because of this, pet owners often do not understand each dog who visited us in October – for the importance of rapid medical intervention when this 12 months – to help clients distinguish diagnosis is made. between mammary tumors (breast cancer) If the owner chooses not to spay, then early detection is and other less serious lumps. key. “Alert clients of the risks,” she says. “Show clients 6. Wearing pink breast cancer awareness how to check mammary gland chain.” October is an t-shirts (instead of their usual scrubs) ideal month with much focus on human breast cancer. to remind clients to think about the “This month provides a lot of opportunities,” she says, importance of spaying and early breast and hopes this soon becomes a national campaign. cancer detection.
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