Diagnose Cancer Early and Make the Most of Every Day with Your Pet
No responsible pet owner ever wants to think about their pet developing cancer. Yet, during their lifetimes, one in three canines will develop canine cancer. If caught early enough, almost half of canine cancers are treatable. This is why familiarity with the most typical signs of canine cancer is so important.
Cancer affects dogs in the same way that it affects humans. Some are more serious and invasive than others. Each type of cancer affects the body differently, even though many of the symptoms of cancer may appear identical at first. When identified, the higher the odds of successful therapy for any of these cancer types. This is why it’s critical to take your dog to the doctor for routine wellness examinations, especially at the first sign of illness. Keep in mind that cancer isn’t the only disease that can cause certain symptoms in canines.
Some cancers can be treated simply by removing the malignant tumor by surgery. Others require chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Treatment options are determined by the type of cancer, its location in the body, and the stage of cancer (how far it has spread, or metastasized, throughout the body). Recognizing these cancers is the first step in assessment.
If you suspect that your pet has cancer or is exhibiting cancer-related symptoms and are seeking additional information to gain a complete understanding of the situation, you have found the right article. Veterinarians affiliated with Sirwiss discuss all aspects of canine cancer, including its classifications and treatments in this article.
Cancer in Dogs: What to Know
The incidence of cancer in dogs is almost the same as that in people. Cancer is not age-specific and can affect dogs of any age. Again, it’s the same as in human beings. Physical changes, such as persistent lumps, injuries that fail to heal, swellings, enlarged lymph nodes, bleeding, weight increase, or loss, are common canine cancer warning signs. You should take your dog to the vet if you notice any such developments also changes in how often and how much your dog eats, drinks, exercises, urinates, defecates, and sleeps.
What Causes Cancer in Dogs?
Canine cancer is a multifactorial condition. Common causes of dog cancer are:
- Hormones. Hormones released during heat cycles in intact female dogs are predisposing factors for mammary gland tumors. The hormonal effect on cancer is less pronounced in male dogs.
- Exposure to chemicals. Long-term or continuous exposure to certain chemicals (tobacco smoke, asbestos, waste incinerators, pesticides) increase the risk of developing specific types of cancer.
- Ultraviolet sun radiation. Dogs with lighter, shorter coats who lounge in the sun for extended periods of time are more susceptible to hemangiosarcoma and melanoma or skin cancer.
- Genetics. Some dog breeds are genetically prone to cancer types. For example, the incidence of bone cancer is higher in breed dogs like German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers.
Common Types of Cancer in Dogs
Just as in humans, dogs can develop many types of cancer. The most common ones reported in dogs include:
- Mast Cell Tumors
- Melanoma
- Lymphoma
- Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer)
- Hemangiosarcoma
- Mammary Gland Carcinomas
- Transitional Cell Carcinoma
The problem with monitoring cancer in dogs, unlike in humans, is that there is no single tracking method or system. If they have a system at all, every veterinary office utilizes its own. There is documented evidence of certain cancers in specific dog breeds (such as histiocytic sarcoma, an aggressive and relatively uncommon cancer that affects Bernese Mountain Dogs and other dogs). However, many factors, such as environment, age, and when a dog was spayed or neutered, can influence whether or not a dog develops cancer, including the date of spaying or neutering.
1. Mast Cell Tumors
Mast cell tumors are among the most common types of skin tumors in dogs. Though they can occur elsewhere in the body. A mast cell tumor usually appears as a skin lump. These tumors can appear harmless to the naked eye despite their malignancy. It’s important for a vet to examine any skin growth on your dog to determine if it is harmful.
To harvest cells from the growth, a fine needle aspirate may be performed. A pathologist can examine the cells to see if they include cancerous mast cells. The pathologist will evaluate the tumor based on microscopic findings after the mass has been removed or biopsyed. The severity of cancer cells in the tumor is described by this grade. Grading the tumor, together with additional information, establishes the stage of cancer, which dictates the need for chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment.
Surgery is necessary to remove mast cell tumors. The veterinarian will attempt to remove the tumor completely to prevent metastasis. Follow up with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy may be necessary depending on the grade of the mast cell tumor, whether or not it could be completely removed, and whether or not it has spread. Prognosis depends on how advanced the tumor is and whether or not the cancer has metastasized.
Mast cell tumors are seen in all dogs breeds and mixed-breed dogs, but Boxers, Shar-peis, and “bully-type” breeds (like American Staffordshire Terriers, Bull Terriers, and Bulldogs) are more likely to be affected.
2. Melanoma
Melanoma is a type of cancer associated with pigment cells called melanocytes. This cancer can affect any part of the body, but it often occurs in the oral cavity of dogs. In fact, oral melanoma is the most common type of oral cancer seen in dogs.
Melanomas are typically darkly pigmented growths; however they can also be pink. A veterinarian should examine any new growth. If you find an oral growth, you should get it checked out soon away.
Melanoma spreads quickly to different regions of the body. Melanoma treatment typically begins with surgery to remove or debulk the tumor. Chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy may also be advised. Some melanoma-affected dogs may be eligible for melanoma vaccination shots, which may prevent recurrence.
Although any dog breed can get melanoma, dogs with black spots in the mouth and on the tongue, like Chow Chows, seem to be predisposed. Miniature Schnauzers, Standard Schnauzers, and Scottish Terriers are also more commonly affected than other breeds.7\
3. Malignant Lymphoma
Malignant lymphoma is one of the most common types of cancer that affects dogs. Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. There are several types of lymphoma, some of which are more aggressive than others. Many dogs will experience enlargement of the lymph nodes in one or more parts of the body. Lymphoma may also cause changes to the eyes and internal organs.
Lymphoma can affect any breed of dog, but particular breeds, such as the Bernese Mountain Dog, Boxers, Bulldogs, Bullmastiffs, Gordon Setters, and Scottish Terriers, appear to have a genetic propensity.
Some types of lymphoma react favorably to chemotherapy treatments that are specifically designed for them. Typically, treatment entails weekly chemo delivery at first, followed by every other week visits for roughly six months. Many dogs with lymphoma will go into remission following chemotherapy, allowing them to live a longer and happier life.
4. Osteosarcoma
Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer that occurs in dogs. It begins as a tumor that often affects the long bones of the limbs, but it can affect any bones in the body. Osteosarcoma is an aggressive type of cancer that tends to spread rapidly, especially to the lungs, lymph nodes, and other bones.
Osteosarcoma is often treated with amputation of the afflicted limb followed by chemotherapy. In some circumstances, radiation therapy may be recommended. Cancer might reoccur even after treatment. Even with the greatest care, most dogs will not live more than two years after being diagnosed. Although osteosarcoma can affect any breed, it is more common in large dogs such as Rottweilers and Irish Wolfhounds.
5. Hemangiosarcoma
Hemangiosarcoma is a type of cancer that affects the lining of blood vessels in the body. It commonly occurs in the spleen, heart, or liver. It can also appear on the skin. This aggressive cancer may not be detected until the dog experiences complications from tumor rupture or growth.
Ruptured splenic tumors cause severe bleeding that necessitates immediate surgery to halt. Unfortunately, many dogs are already at a late stage when they are diagnosed. Surgery to remove or debulk the tumor, if possible, is usually followed by chemotherapy. Survival times differ according to severity and stage. Even with treatment, most dogs with hemangiosarcoma will not live long. Any dog can develop hemangiosarcoma, although some breeds, such as Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers, may be prone.
6. Mammary Gland Carcinomas
Breast cancer is relatively common in dogs. Most of these tumors are carcinomas. Mammary tumors begin as a lump on the abdomen near the dog’s nipples. Multiple tumors may cause a kind of “chain” along the mammary glands. It may also cause enlargement of nearby lymph nodes.
Mammary cancer is diagnosed by aspirating tissue from the tumor with a tiny needle. The first step in treatment is almost always surgery to remove the tumor and damaged mammary gland. Your veterinarian may advise you to have numerous mammary glands and nearby lymph nodes removed. Female dogs who have not been spayed are the most prone to breast cancer. If your dog is spayed, the risk is much reduced.
7. Transitional Cell Carcinoma
Transitional cell carcinoma is a type of cancer that most commonly affects a dog’s bladder and urethra. These tumors can cause difficulty or inability to urinate and blood in the urine.
If your dog is suffering urinary problems, you must take him to the vet for an examination. A urinalysis may put your veterinarian in the direction of urinary tract malignancy. Bladder tumors can be detected using radiography or ultrasonography. A tissue sample is required to obtain a transitional cell carcinoma diagnosis.
Transitional cell carcinoma is frequently untreatable with surgery alone because it occurs in a portion of the bladder that cannot be removed. Tumors may be able to be surgically debulked in some circumstances. Following treatment usually include the use of drugs such as piroxicam or chemotherapy. Scottish Terriers, Shetland Sheepdogs, and West Highland White Terriers are more typically affected than other breeds.
Treatment Options for Cancer in Dogs
Following a positive diagnosis, your veterinarian may recommend you to a veterinary oncologist to determine the next steps. They will walk you through the many alternatives available to you based on the sort of cancer your dog has. Surgical treatment, a combination of surgery and chemotherapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy alone, and immunotherapy are all options. Cancer vaccinations are part of immunotherapy, and a melanoma vaccine for dogs is now available. There is also research being done on a variety of additional immunotherapy approaches in which the dog’s own immune cells are used to fight its own cancer cells. The dog may be given a tablet, injection, or IV depending on the type of chemotherapy. Many of these consultations are comparable to routine veterinary visits.
How Long Will a Dog Live After Being Diagnosed with Cancer?
The longevity of a cancer-affected dog might vary based on the type of cancer and cancer therapy. While some dogs can be treated and live a normal life, the prognosis for others is bleak, and death is the only compassionate alternative. The most important thing you can do for your dog as a pet owner is to give proper and continuous veterinarian care. So, if you’re wondering how to avoid cancer in dogs, make sure your pet’s needs (food, activity) are satisfied, and go to the vet on a regular basis.
As the area of cancer research for humans has evolved, so has the field of animal cancer research, allowing for more accurate diagnosis and better therapies for canines. As a result, much more science now goes into making accurate diagnosis. Making the correct diagnosis from the start will lead to a more accurate prognosis and will assist you in deciding which treatment option to take. All of this new research is also useful and vital in determining the sort of cancer you have.