125 – Marty Greer DVM JD|Cancer Links in Early Spay and Neuter

Dr. Marty Greer, DVM JD on Pure Dog Talk

Recorded at the NAIA Animal Nation Conference in Washington, D.C.

Marty Greer is both a vet and an attorney and speaks with Laura Reeves about cancer links to early spay and neuter, Pink Paw for Cancer, and Canine Companions for Independence.

Marty Greer Helps Canine Companions for Independence

A new addition to Marty’s family is a new puppy to raise and train for Canine Companions for Independence.  While not the intended topic of this interview, new puppies in the household seem to demand top-of-mind attention.

Canine Companions for Independence breeds and train dogs to help with mobility – pick up keys, open or close doors, and fetch items from the refrigerator. Activities that a handicapped or limited individual needs help with to live more independently.

Cancer Links to Early Spay and Neuter

Breast Cancer is one of the top 3 cancers that affect dogs, as well as cats. Per Marty Greer, research now shows that intact dogs or dogs with later spays, 4 years or older, have a significantly lower risk of acquiring breast cancer.

Breast Cancer in dogs is usually surgically treatable when discovered early, while more serious in cats.

Pink Paw – October Breast Cancer Month

Examine for Breast Cancer Monthly

To examine, just feel along mammary chain, down one side from front to rear and then the other side.

Feel for lump around or underneath each teat.

For women, try doing your exam on the same day as your dog!

If not sure, ask your vet to show you.

Pyometra Risk Based Upon Breed

Research from Sweden, where pet insurance enables better research, suggests that certain breeds have higher pyometra risk.  Bernese Mountain Dogs have up to a 48% risk.  Listen as Marty Greer explains the findings.

Spay, Neuter and Cancer Articles

Biography of Dr. Marty Greer, DVM JD

I received my Bachelor of Science in 1978 and my DVM in 1981 from Iowa State University in Ames Iowa. In 1982 I established the Brownsville Small Animal Clinic in Dr. Griffith’s practice building and in 1988, moved the practice to Lomira.

I have a special interest in Pediatrics and Reproduction. In 2002, I opened a Canine Semen Freezing Center, International Canine Semen Bank – Wisconsin (ICSB-WI/IL) and became Penn-Hip Certified.

On my first attempt at using extended semen, I bred the practice’s first litter of pups from frozen semen in 1998. The advent of in-house quantitative progesterone testing has made this process much more successful.

My husband, Dr. Daniel Griffiths, and I have two children, Katy, married to Tim, an entomology Ph.D. student at Purdue, and Karl, married to Kelly. In addition, we raise and show Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Danish Swedish Farmdogs. We also have cats, a llama, and sheep. Our family has raised 5 puppies for Canine Companions for Independence, a service dog organization.

The practice has contributed to pharmaceutical and nutritional research as an investigator for Abbott Laboratory, Deprenyl Animal Health, Pfizer, Virbac, and Hill’s Pet food Corporation. I have also been featured in articles in Veterinary Economics.

In 2005, I was appointed by Governor Jim Doyle to a position on the Veterinary Examining Board of the Department of Safety and Professional Services, where I served for 8 years.

In 2010, I graduated from Marquette Law School. I practice law part-time with my law partner, Attorney Sheila Kessler, at Animal Legal Resources LLC.

I am active in the community as a member of the AVMA, NEWVMA, ASVBP, APDT, AAFP, SVME, ACSMA, The Society for Theriogenology, the Fond du Lac Kennel Club, The Kettle Moraine Kennel Club, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America, Lakeshore Pembroke Welsh Corgi Kennel Club, and the Lomira Area Chamber of Commerce.

I am on the Board of Directors for the Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics, American Veterinary Medical Law Association, and the Society for Theriogenology. I served on the Animal Welfare Committee and Education Committee for the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association. I am also president of the National Animal Interest Alliance.