I remember a year or two ago you referenced a study that concluded that every heat cycle experienced by an intact female increases the chances of that animal contracting mammary cancer later in life. At least that's what I *think* I remember. If available (and if my memory hasn't completely distorted this), would you please provide a link to that study or provide the source of the study? It's something I'd like to have handy to pass along to folks who are waivering on the "should I, shouldn't I have my animal spayed" debate.

Thanks,

Laurie

Spay before first heat cycle gets you less than 0.1% of breast cancer later in life.
Spay after first heat cycle, risk goes to 12%.
Spay after second heat cycle, risk goes to 25%.

This has only been figured in dogs as far as I know. But the short story is spaying after 2nd heat cycle increases risk of breast cancer over 250 times vs spaying before first heat cycle.