The Most Important Things to Know About Cancer In Dogs

At Zigly, we know that your dog is more than your pet - they are treasured family members. And why not, dogs love us wholeheartedly for their entire lives. No one ever wants their dog to fall prey to any disease, let alone cancer. But that does not take away the fact that cancer in dogs is a reality and early diagnosis helps in cure rather than losing your beloved companion. Here in this blog, we aim to help you detect any problematic signs and symptoms of cancer and make you aware of cancer in dogs.

Types of Cancer in Dogs

The uncontrolled growth of cells in the body leads to cancer, which if not detected on time can spread like wildfire to the rest of the body through the lymph systems. Many dogs, especially at an advanced age, die due to this disease. But the good news is, most of these tumors or cancer-causing cells can be treated and cured if diagnosed at the early stages. Before we go into the details of dog cancer, we shall first have a look at the types of cancer that dogs are susceptible to.

• Lymphoma: It is one of the common forms of cancer that contributes up to 15-20% of the total number of newly diagnosed cancers in dogs. Lymphoma is a cancer of the Lymph Nodes and the Lymphatic system and can be localized in one particular region or circulate throughout the body. Symptoms of lymphoma will include swelling of lymph nodes, especially in the neck region, the shoulder region, and behind the knees, sudden weight loss, loss of appetite, fever, etc. The most common technique used for its diagnosis is FNAC. The prognosis of this type of cancer depends a lot upon its stage at the time of diagnosis and the choice of the treatment itself. Unfortunately, the attempts are not always fruitful as the chances of remission are also common.

• Hemangiosarcoma: Hemangiosarcoma is a cancer of endothelial cells lining blood vessels. It can be dermal, subcutaneous, and visceral in nature. Hemangiosarcoma generally affects middle-aged to old-aged dogs with breeds such as Golden Retrievers, German shepherds, and labradors being predisposed. Symptoms can be non-specific such as lethargy, lack of appetite, anemia, and enlarged spleen. It can be difficult to detect this cancer at the early stages since it progresses slowly and is often painless. Diagnosis can be made on the basis of blood work, or XRay/Usg which might show an enlarged spleen or fluid-filled abdominal cavity. Hemangiosarcoma is usually malignant in nature but timely treatment can definitely prolong the lifespan.

• Osteosarcoma: Bone cancer is also known as Osteosarcoma and is malignant in nature. Usually, long bones of forelimbs and hindlimbs are involved, though bones such as jaws, pelvis, and tail might also get affected. One of the most common symptoms includes limping in the leg affected and swelling in the area. The dog may feel pain in the area affected. The diagnosis can be made on the basis of X-Ray, FNAC and sometimes bone biopsy might be required for a more definitive diagnosis. Treatment in Osteosarcomas usually starts after staging and involves both Surgery and Chemotherapy.

• Lipoma: These are the most common form of tumors that involves fat and are often seen in middle-aged to old dogs. Usually, it’s benign in nature and can grow anywhere under the skin, between muscle layers, or even inside the abdomen. The growth rate of Lipomas can vary to a great extent(may grow rapidly or stay stagnant for years). They can be really uncomfortable for the pets depending upon the site of origin(armpits, between legs, or on the neck). Lipoma can be diagnosed with Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology technique. The most effective treatment for Lipomas is surgical excision of the mass. Surgically removing the masses when they are small in size is generally recommended as surgery is less invasive and the incision is smaller for the pets.
• Transitional Cell Carcinomas: TCC is most commonly found in the Urinary System of dogs. Symptoms of TCC include Hematuria(blood in urine), Straining while urinating, and complete urinary obstruction in some cases. Diagnostic workup might include blood work, urine examination, imaging, and biopsy. Treatment options will depend upon the diagnostic results and may include Surgery, Chemotherapy, and or Radiology.

• Melanoma: Melanocytes or pigment-producing cells are the starting point of melanomas in dogs. These cells are responsible for dark skin in dogs. Melanoma will mostly occur in hairy places as a wrinkled mass that is large and flat. They can also be in black or brown colored lumps. Malignant melanoma is incurable and often comes to notice after it has spread throughout the body. Surgical removal in these is impossible at a later stage.

• Testicular Cancer: Dogs that are not neutered and have retained testes are more likely to develop this cancer. Although it can be removed surgically, it is better to prevent it. One of the most tested ways to prevent testicular cancer is by neutering your dog.

Symptoms to Watch Out For

While none of us want our dogs to ever get cancer, the disease can be prevented by looking out for cancer in dogs' symptoms. If you identify the most common signs and symptoms of dog cancer, you may be able to save your dog. Here are the important signs:

• Wounds and sores that do not heal
• Extreme evident pain
• Loss or change in appetite
• Bumps and lumps under the skin of the dog
• Bad and abnormal odors coming from the mouth, eyes, ears, and rectum
• Depression
• Lethargy
• Sudden weight loss
• Coughing
• Difficulty in breathing
• Swelling in the abdomen

If you notice or see your dog exhibiting any of these symptoms you must contact your vet and take your dog for a physical check-up.

Treatment

The treatment of cancer in dogs is influenced by various factors. They are mentioned below:

• The health of your dog
• Age of your dog
• Kind of tumor
• The stage at which cancer is detected
• The biological behavior of the tumor

The general and overall health of the dog plays an important role in the treatment of cancer in dogs because if the dog is healthy, he/ she can tolerate the treatment that is used. The treatment and medication for cancer in dogs are similar to that of humans. It includes:

• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation
• Herbal therapy

Many times, a combination of these processes is inculcated in the treatment to cure the dog and for treatment. If you suspect that your dog has cancer or observe any symptoms or behavioural changes mentioned above, you must speak to your vet and schedule an appointment, the earlier it is detected, the more the likelihood of good treatment and cure. This was all about cancer in dogs. Feel free to get in touch with our experts at Zigly for more information.