For Shelters and Rescue Orgs

Penn Vet

For Shelter and Rescue Organizations

factsheet

Q: What animals are eligible for the study?

A: Healthy female dogs with mammary tumors (breast cancer).

Q: What treatment can dogs receive in this program?

A. Dogs accepted into the program will have a complete evaluation at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. An evaluation for metastatic
disease, including chest radiographs will be performed. Complete blood work, including a blood count and biochemical profile will be evaluated. Dogs without
obvious distant metastatic disease will have their mammary tumors surgically removed. They will also be spayed. Tissue from the cancer will be evaluated by the Penn Vet Pathology service. Some tissue will also be saved for molecular investigation of mammary tumor progression.

Q: Does this treatment cost the shelter or rescue any money?

A: No. Treatment is provided to appropriate cases free of charge through generous funding from a private donor.

Q: Are there other commitments the shelter or rescue must make?

A: Yes. It is imperative that animals treated in the program have detailed and thorough follow-up examinations every 4 months the first year but every 6 months for the rest of the dog’s life. This is vital for the health of the dog and the information generated for the study. The shelter
or rescue must undertake to find the dog a home with responsible owners committed to bringing the dog back to the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital in Philadelphia, PA., for follow-up examinations.

Q: I think there is a dog that would fit the criteria for the program. Who do I contact?

A: Contact us by calling 215.746.2607