Protocols in mastectomies in bitches performed at the veterinary clinical hospital

Abstract

Mammary tumors represent 50-70% of the most frequent neoplasms in bitches between 2-16 years of age. The appearance of these tumors has been found to be related not only to the age of the animal but also to whether the bitches are spayed or not. Mastectomy is the election treatment for this type of neoplasia. This kind of tumor is common in no sterilized bitches and with more predisposition in some breeds. The mastectomy consists in the elimination of the affected breast to reduce the possibility of distribution to other breast or to other organs such as the lung. For the mastectomy a correct anesthetic protocol should be used, and the anesthetic parameters should be controlled during all the surgery. It is important to determinate if bitches present pain during surgeries and controlled with drugs. Mastectomy is one of the most painful surgeries, especially in the first 24 hours after surgery. The Glasgow scale allowed the determination of pain and indicated if it is necessary the administration of analgesia. In the present study, a total of 37 bitches that arrived at the Veterinary Hospital presents mammary tumors and mastectomy was done as treatment election. Anesthesia was controlled in all bitches, using always the same anesthetic protocol and pain was determinate and controlled during the surgery. Also, pain was checked 24 hours after surgery and bitches were revalued one week after. Tumors were analyzed being the most common the ones from grade II (54,32%). Both chains were affected in the same way with not significant differences, but the inguinal breast was the most common affected (29,7%). The anesthetic parameters were controlled depending in the breed size and the breast that was affected, concluding that not significant differences in anesthetic parameters were found. Pain after surgery was valued with Glasgow scale and analgesia was administered in bitches (Carprofeno and tramadol), determining if the protocol was successful. A satisfactory post-surgery was seen in most of the bitches in both measurements, with a mean of < 8 point in bitches regardless of the breed or the affected breast.