DOGS AND CANCER

DOGS AND CANCER

 

   We love our four legged family and as with any other family member they are prone to illness and disease. We take them to the vet regularly, groom them and care for them as best as we can but, just like people, they also contract life threatening conditions. Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs over the age of 10 but half of all cancers are curable if detected early.

   Older dogs are much more likely to develop cancer than younger ones; fifty percent of dogs over the age of 10 develop cancer at some point. Some common types of cancer are Malignant Lymphoma, Mast Cell tumors, Mammary Gland tumors, Breast cancer, Soft Tissue Sarcomas and Bone Cancer. Everyone knows that the quicker you find and diagnose cancer, the better chance you have at fighting if off and prolonging your dog’s life. Be proactive and look for signs regardless of age, it may save your dog life and/or prevent suffering.

Symptoms of cancer in dogs may include:

·          Lumps (which are not always malignant, but should always be examined by a vet)
·          Swelling
·          Persistent sores
·          Abnormal discharge from any part of the body
·          Bad breath
·          Listlessness/lethargy
·          Rapid, often unexplained weight loss
·          Sudden lameness
·          Black, tarry stools (a symptom of ulcers, which can be caused by mast cell tumors)
·          Decreased or loss of appetite
·          Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating

   Treatment options vary and depend on the type and stage of cancer. Common treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy. A combination of therapies may be used. Success of treatment depends on the form and extent of the cancer and the aggressiveness of the therapy. Of course, early detection is best. Please note that if your dog’s cancer is not curable, there are still many things you can do to make your pet feel better. Don’t hesitate to talk to your vet about your options. And don’t forget that good nutrition and loving care from all the members of your family can greatly enhance your dog’s quality of life.

 

 

 

   Some dogs are more susceptible than others so good research will give you an idea of what you are in for with a specific breed and how to prepare.

1.       Basset Hound: Prone to Trichoepithelioma or benign, Cystic tumors of the hair follicle

2.       Bernese Mountain Dog: Prone to Histiocytic Sarcoma, which start as wart-like growths that begin below the skin.

3.       Boxer: Prone to both Lymphoma or cancer of the Lymph Nodes and Brain cancer.

4.       Chow-Chows: Susceptible to stomach cancer which can be hard to diagnose in its early stages and is typically fatal by the time it is diagnosed.

5.       Cocker Spaniel: Prone to Cutaneous Plasmacytoma, a rare skin cancer.

6.       Collie: Prone to cancers within the nasal cavity.

7.       English Springer Spaniel: More prone to mammary or breast cancer.

8.       Golden Retriever: Goldies are some of the most cancer prone dogs with Lymphoma and Hemangiosarcoma or cancer of the blood vessels and spleen.

9.       Greyhound: Prone to Osteosarcoma or bone cancer.

10.   Labrador Retriever: Lab prone to Lymphoma and Hemangiosarcoma.

11.   Pug: Prone to Mast Cell tumors. Mast Cells are part of the immune system and are present in
the skin, digestive tract and respiratory tract.

12.   Rottweiler: Prone to Osteosarcoma or bone cancer.

13.   Shar-pei: Prone to Mast Cell tumors due to the prominence of skin folds.

14.   Shetland Sheepdog: Prone to Liposarcoma which is a malignant tumor arising in fat cells deep in soft tissue like the inside of the thigh.