Cancer can afflict dogs of all ages, especially older dogs. A diagnosis of cancer on a dog can be devastating; our goal is to make sure you and your dog feel supported and cared for in every step of the process. Just like humans, cancer in dogs can be caught and treated early or cured with the appropriate support. We are here to guide you through the process of diagnosis and treatment. Our trained staff will help you choose the best options to treat your dog's cancer effectively.
There are many types of dog cancer. Therefore, symptoms can vary; please be aware of any lumps or bumps on your dog, a wound that does not heal, any swelling, enlarged lymph nodes, lameness, swelling in the bone, or abnormal bleeding. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Types of Dog Cancer
Dogs are susceptible to the same types of cancer as humans. Cancer is caused by the uncontrolled growth of cells in the body. Cancer can expand and connect with the circulatory or lymph systems; it can also spread and infect other tissues in the body.
Dog cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs ten years of age or older. However, just like human cancer, it is treatable when found and treated in its early stages.
The most common types of canine cancer are:
This dog cancer is a tumor derived from the cells lining blood vessels. Since blood vessels run through the body, hemangiosarcoma can develop anywhere. However, it is more common on the skin, spleen, liver, and heart. Hemangiosarcoma accounts for approximately 5% of cancer cases in dogs, usually affecting middle-aged and older dogs.
Hemangiosarcoma develops slowly and painless, making it hard to detect at first. The most common clinical sign is an enlarged spleen diagnosed by palpation or through radiology or ultrasound. This cancer can affect any breed but is mainly found in German shepherds, golden retrievers, and Labrador retrievers.
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Symptoms and Signs of Cancer in Dogs
Cancer is one of those diseases that are best to treat with an early diagnosis. Therefore, pet owners need to be able to detect a dog's warning signs when developing cancer. All cancers are different, some harder to spot than others, but the most common symptoms of cancer in dogs are:
If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, we strongly recommend contacting your veterinarian and scheduling an appointment immediately.
What do you need to know?
While there is no proven cause for cancer, some controllable environmental influences can help reduce the risk of your dog getting cancer. To reduce the chance of dog cancer, we encourage owners to follow these measures:
Diagnosis and Treatment for Dog Cancer
Only a veterinarian can diagnose canine cancer. Therefore, it is important to schedule periodic checkups where the veterinarian can look for any signs of cancer and do the necessary test to diagnose it. Like in humans, cancer is best treated the sooner it is diagnosed.
Once diagnosed, the dogs' overall health status will determine the best form of treatment. Therefore, it is essential to consider the dogs' age, how fast the tumor grows, tumor type, biological behavior to cancer, and cancer stage.
Sometimes, no treatment could be more beneficial according to the life expectancy of the dog. Other times it is encouraged to choose one or multiple courses of treatment. Dog cancer treatments are like human therapies. There is chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, and holistic or herbal therapy. Before choosing is essential to address all options with your veterinarian and consider your Dogs' limits.
If you suspect that your dog presents any symptoms mentioned above or would like to know more about dog cancer treatments, contact us or call us to schedule a visit today.