Cancer in dogs: symptoms and treatment

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Such a disease as cancer can be not only in humans. It is also diagnosed in animals. For example, cancer in dogs is found quite often. There are statistics, based on which, in females, this disease occurs more often than in males. As a rule, this disease occurs in animals over 10 years old.

Description of disease

Cancer in dogs is not much different from cancer in humans. The essence of this disease is that the cells begin to mutate. There is a theory according to which the disease occurs due to a change in one cell in the body. Then it begins to divide, and the infected area spreads. If the disease is not diagnosed in time, then large groups of modified cells are formed. Further, tumors and metastases form.

If an animal has a disease such as breast cancer, then metastases can spread to bone tissue and lungs.

Gradually, there are more and more infected cells, tumors stop the normal functioning of the organs of the animal's body. They also interfere with the proper functioning of neighboring organs. The next stage in the development of the disease is the decomposition of tumors. This process is characterized by bleeding. Fromall of the above, the general condition of the dog is deteriorating.

Dogs can get cancer anywhere. Mostly old animals are susceptible to the disease. But there are cases of cancer in young dogs. It should be said that cancer is a general characteristic of a disease. Cell mutation can affect different organs and have its own variety in each individual case. Therefore, a person will not be able to cure cancer in a dog on his own. Home treatment can relieve certain symptoms of the disease. In order to provide essential assistance to the animal, you must contact a veterinarian.

Early diagnosis increases chances of recovery

It should be said that the earlier cancer is detected in a dog (whose photo does not cause positive emotions in anyone), the greater the chances of its recovery. Also, pet owners need to know that there are highly specialized veterinarians who deal with oncological diseases. Therefore, it would be advisable to treat the cancer of the animal by a veterinary oncologist.

It is impossible to predict how long a dog can live with cancer. Since there are many factors that affect this circumstance. First, the age of the dog plays a role. Secondly, an important factor is the stage at which the disease is diagnosed.

If infected cells spread slowly and cancer is detected at the initial stage of the disease, then timely assistance to the animal will provide it with a longlife. It also matters which organ is affected by malignant cells. In some cases, surgery may be performed to remove the tumor. Possible treatment options and prognosis for recovery can be determined by a veterinarian after a thorough diagnosis of the dog.

How does the disease manifest itself?

The main problem in diagnosing oncological diseases is that they pass without any signs at the initial stage. The only way to detect cancer is through testing. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly visit the veterinarian with the dog for this. The main tests to help detect cancer cells are blood and urine biochemistry tests.

Pet owners should remember that the treatment of the disease is possible only at an early stage of detection. In the event that the spread of cancer cells is running, no veterinarian will help.

More bitches prone to disease

Cancer is common in bitches. This is due to unstable hormonal levels during estrus, childbirth and in the postpartum period. Veterinarians recommend neutering the dog to prevent cancer in the bitch. Especially in cases where the distribution of offspring is not planned.

If a dog gives birth, then after 8 years, when breeding work ends, the animal must also be sterilized. This procedure will protect the dog from this disease.

Cancer in dogs: symptoms and types

Now consider popular types:

1. Oncological disease of the mammary glands in bitches. Breast cancer indogs can be detected at an early stage. To identify it, the owner of the dog needs to monitor the nipples. Signs of cancer may show up as bumps or lumps on the nipples. They can be detected by feeling the mammary glands. It is also recommended to show the dog to the veterinarian. If the disease progresses and no treatment measures have been taken, then the tumors will be visible visually, and the nipples will also change color. If the tumor is damaged, bleeding will occur.

2. Oncological disease of the dog's uterus. Diagnosing this type of cancer is more difficult. Bleeding is a sign of infection. But they can also be the result of other diseases. With uterine cancer, the bitch miscarries or gives birth to dead puppies. The cause of this disease may be drugs, which include hormones. Moreover, cancer cells can appear after one dose of such a remedy.

3. Another risk group for cancer are dogs of large breeds. It is almost impossible to visually determine that an animal has cancer. In large dogs, the disease sometimes affects the bones. A sign that an animal has cancer can be changes in walking and running. When such symptoms appear, the dog should be taken to a specialist.

4. Oncological diseases of the stomach and intestines can be determined by violations of the body. Namely, a change in stool, vomiting, smell from the mouth. It is necessary to pay attention to the dog's feces. See if there is any discharge in it, such as blood. They will be another sign thatthe dog has cancer. The symptoms of stomach cancer are as follows - loss of weight and appetite.

5. Skin cancer can also be diagnosed. Spotting skin cancer in dogs can be difficult. Especially in animals that have abundant hair. Therefore, it is recommended to regularly examine the dog's skin. It is best to do this while bathing or combing. Oncological skin disease is manifested by the formation of dark spots or seals on it. The color of the spots can vary from red to dark brown.

6. Liver cancer in dogs. When the liver is damaged by cancer cells, the mucous membranes of the animal turn yellow. This is due to the fact that bile enters the bloodstream. The consistency of metabolic products also changes. With the spread of cancer cells in the liver, the dog refuses to eat and constantly vomits.

7. Lung cancer in dogs. This disease begins with a cough. With further progression, it intensifies, expectoration begins, in which blood secretions and pus are present in saliva.

8. Also in dogs, the spleen is affected by cancer cells. But this type of disease is rare. There are no obvious signs indicating the occurrence of this disease. Usually, the animal shows a deterioration in the general condition, lethargy, apathy, and so on.

9. Oncological disease of the kidney. It can be difficult to notice kidney cancer, there are practically no external manifestations, especially at an early stage of the disease. At a later stage of the progression of the disease, blood appears in the urine. Also, the dog begins colic, and she whines. dog gaitundergoes changes due to pain.

Diagnosis

What are the ways to detect cancer in a dog? There is a theory that dogs feel the presence of infected cells in the human body. Allegedly, they can determine by smell whether a person has cancer or not. Perhaps they really manage to feel the oncological disease in the human body.

But for ourselves, it's harder to do. There is a possibility that dogs feel that their body is infected with malignant cells. But, unfortunately, they cannot tell their master about this fact.

Diagnostic methods

The main method of detecting the disease at an early stage of dog cancer is a visit to the veterinarian and testing. The doctor orders the animal to donate blood and urine. Based on the results of the tests, namely the presence of any changes in the blood or urine, the veterinarian prescribes repeated laboratory tests for a deeper study.

Then, depending on which organ is suspected of being affected by malignant cells, further examination is carried out. Namely, computer diagnostics of a specific organ is assigned. It can be done through ultrasound, MRI and other methods. When a tumor is found, the veterinarian takes a tissue puncture to determine if it is malignant or not.

Treatment

It should be said that the treatment of cancer in dogs must be entrusted to a specialist. Not worth itself-medicate or listen to any people who do not have special education and proper qualifications in this area.

Self-medication is not recommended due to the fact that the disease is individual in nature, for example, there is squamous cell carcinoma in dogs. Many have not heard of this. Only a veterinarian can identify the features of the disease, based on the results of tests and other studies.

Chemotherapy is used to treat malignant cells in dogs. The next step is to remove the tumor. It is not possible to do this in all cases of the disease. For example, if the brain is affected, then surgery cannot be done. If the operation to remove the tumor has taken place, then a second session of chemotherapy is prescribed.

Next, the animal is prescribed special drugs to maintain immunity and stabilize the body.

Nutrition for Cancer

It is necessary to provide the dog with proper nutrition. The diet should not include spicy and fatty foods. Such a diet should be maintained for a long time. It should be said that fatty foods are not recommended for he althy pets.

It must be remembered that during the rehabilitation period it is necessary to create favorable conditions for the dog. Namely, to ensure regular walking and cleanliness. It is necessary to ensure that the dog does not come into contact with stray animals, since the body is weakened after the course of treatment and it will be better to exclude any sources of infection.

Sleep

There are times whencancer in dogs progresses very quickly and the treatment provided does not give positive results. In this case, the owner of the animal should consider putting him to sleep, as this option will save him from suffering.

If a person sees that the ongoing treatment does not alleviate the suffering of the animal, then he is recommended to talk with the veterinarian about whether it is worth continuing it, is there a chance that the dog will recover. If the attending veterinarian says that the chances of the dog are zero, then the best way out of the situation is to euthanize the pet.

Thus, the owner of the animal will save him from excruciating pain. If death is inevitable due to cancer and the dog is suffering, then euthanasia should be resorted to.

See another specialist

There is a variant that the veterinarian cannot help the animal, and the owner of the dog is sure of her recovery. Then it is recommended to contact another specialist. Perhaps he will select a different treatment regimen, and the dog will get better.

Conclusion

Now you know how cancer manifests in dogs. We have described the symptoms and treatments. Unfortunately, this disease is very serious. Therefore, if you suspect that the animal has cancer, then immediately contact a qualified specialist.