BHRR’s Leah’s Biopsy Results & Per Her Surgeon:

“They came back as “mammary duct ectasia with mild multifocal lymphohistiocytic cellulitis”.  The comments say that mammary duct ectasia is a benign dilation of one or more ductal structures. Lesions can be single or multiple, often forming a mass-like lesion clinically. These lesions can occur in both intact and spayed animals, and are not associated with an increased risk of mammary neoplasia. As these cystic ducts enlarge, they can become secondarily inflamed. Complete excision of individual lesions is curative. In this case there is rupture of some of the smaller ducts, resulting in mild inflammation.”

“To me this sounds like we should just monitor, and if they become inflamed and a problem, then we can remove them at that time.  This is great news!”

Miss Leah during her mammary biopsies surgical procedure. Her lungs were clear in the X-rays!

She has been putting on the weight/muscle mass really well, and her energy level is normal, so we are extremely happy with her medical rehabilitation journey to date.

Her mammaries are smaller than in December, except in one area. That area is bigger.

So, we will now see what the biopsies results say to determine the next steps that shall be in her best interest.

UPDATE: From her foster home:

“Miss Leah is doing great. We’ve been working on leash manners and recall and she is learning quickly. We’ve also been working on politely interacting with other dogs, as she likes to bark loudly at other dogs she sees out in the world. She’s getting better with this when she’s in our yard but still needs work while we’re on walks. 

Leah has been eating and drinking well and is a very happy girl. She is looking much healthier now that she has put on some weight. 

Leah loves attention and cuddles and her toys. She is quite gentle with her toys and likes to gather them on her bed. She is getting along with my dog very well now and they love to play together. They get very excited though, so we’ve also been practicing taking breaks from playing and just sitting/laying down quietly together. 

We’ve been taking the dogs out for walks at a local trail and Leah is in heaven when she’s there!”

Here is a copy of Miss Leah’s abdominal biopsy results.

Miss Leah is scheduled on January 9th for x-rays of her lungs and, from there, biopsies of her mammary chain.

Depending on those results, either she will be referred to oncology if malignant, or remove one mammary chain, then the other in two separate surgeries, or there is not anything to do medically at that time – benign, no medical intervention necessary, or she is palliative.

Should Miss Leah be deemed adoptable, a copy of all diagnostics and results will be shared with the approved adoptive home and the Veterinary Clinic they will use. We believe in full disclosure.

BHRR’s Leah – when she first arrived in our care.