Food for thought

THE EDITOR: Our ten-year-old female dog Keisha was euthenised recently because she had breast cancer. Now all I can think of are her beautiful trusting eyes and feel guilty, for her suffering and death was the result of our ignorance. So I would like to pass on what is not generally known to dog owners. Nine times out of ten, breast cancer occurs in females who have not been speyed. First of all a test swells imperceptibly, and eventually at a tremendously rapid rate.

At this stage and age surgery is not recommended because of the danger of it happening again after about a year, and there are still seven options. Now I am wondering if male dogs who have never mated but have been excited by females in season are in any danger. Come to that, can even human females be guaranteed that abortions do not lead to similar dangers. Everything in nature is interdependent, and one cannot alter the tiniest piece without a reaction. Perfection cannot be perfected.

MA KERR
Woodbrook