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Canine Cancer

















Hearing that your dog has canine cancer does not mean the end of its life. Like cancer treatment in people, there are now many options for treating your pet. In general, treatments tend to be more effective and have fewer side effects. Cancer is seen in about 1,100 of every 100,000 dogs.

Tumors are any sort of lump of bump. Tumors that grow are called neoplasms. There are two types of tumors:

Benign – Tumors that grow slowly and don’t spread to other parts of the body. A benign tumor is treated with surgery.

Malignant – These tumors are the same as cancer and are also called carcinomas, sarcomas and lymphomas depending on where the cancer is on the body. As the cancer spreads from one part of the body to another, it can enter the lymph nodes or circulatory system. The spread is called metastasizing.

Canine Cancer Information on This Page
What is Canine Cancer?
High Risk Breeds
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Tests

Quick Links to Detailed Information on Canine Cancer

Canine Cancer Diet, Nutrition and Supplements

Quality of Life After Canine Cancer

Alternative Treatment Options - Leukemia and Other Cancers

Types of Canine Cancer and Tumors

Canine Anal Gland Tumors
Bladder Cancer for Dog
Canine Bone Cancer
Chondrosarcoma
Osteosarcoma
Benign Canine Bone Tumors
Canine Brain Tumor
Canine Breast Cancer
Eye Tumors
Canine Intestinal Cancer
Canine Kidney Cancer
Canine Leukemia
Liver Tumor Dog
Lumps and Bumps on Skin
Lung Cancer
Canine Lymphoma
Canine Lyphosarcoma
Canine Mammary Cancer
Canine Mouth Tumors
Nasal or Nose Tumors
Multiple Myeloma
Canine Prostate Cancer
Spinal Cord Tumors
Canine Skin Cancer
Canine Spleen Cancer
Canine Stomach Cancer
Thyroid Cancer in Dog

What is Canine Cancer?

In a normal dog cells are constantly dieing and being replaced. In a dog with cancer, something is wrong with the replacement cells (called mutant cells). These mutant cells reproduce quickly and form into large groupings. Since these cells are mutant, they cannot provide the same function as the healthy cells they replaced. If these cells or cancer grows, it eventually replaces healthy tissue and causes the dog to die.

High Risk Breeds for Cancer

Basset Hound – trichoepithelioma
Kerry Blue Terrier – Pilomaticoma
Cocker Spaniel – Ceruminous Adenoma
English Cocker Spaniel – Anal sac gland carcinoma
Giant Schnauzer and Gordon Settler – Subungual squamous cell carcinoma
Scottish Terrier – Subungual malignant melanoma
Vizsla and Miniature Schnauzer – melanocytoma
Shetland Sheepdog – liposarcoma
Boxer and Pug – Mast Cell Tumor
Cocker Spaniel – Cutaneous Plasmacytoma

Canine Cancer Symptoms

There are eight early warning signs or dog cancer symptoms:

- Unusual swelling that continues to grow
- Sores that do not heal
- Weight Loss
- Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
- Reluctance to move
- Loss of energy
- Difficulty breathing, urinating or making a bowel movement
- Sleeping more than usual

Cancer Symptoms Requiring Emergency Treatment

- Your dog has collapsed
- Bleeding after receiving chemotherapy
- Loss of appetite while undergoing treatment

If your dog is experiencing any of the following seek emergency care for your dog:

Canine Cancer Symptoms Requiring a Call or visit to your Veterinarian

Skin – Sores, bumps, lumps

Leg – Large breed with swelling or a limp

Seizure - In older dog that has a seizure (uncontrolled shaking) for the first time

Nose – blood coming from the nose

Mouth – Lump, bump or growth

Breast – lump or swelling

Diagnosis of Cancer

Determining if your dog has cancer usually requires more than blood tests or x-rays. Your Veterinarian will need to take a sample of the area in question (a biopsy) and send it to a laboratory to test for the presence of cancer. Cancer cannot be diagnosed visually since an examination of individual cells is necessary. If cancer cells are found (called malignant), your entire dog will need to be examined since many types of cancer can spread.

Tests for Canine Cancer

Biopsy – The removal of a small sample or an attempt to completely remove a cancerous mass. The biopsy is sent to a lab for analysis. A veterinarian may remove an entire lymph node to see if cancer has spread or if cancer of the lymph nodes exists.

Fine-needle Aspiration (FNA) – Like a biopsy, but instead of surgery, a needle is used to extract cancerous cells for testing.

Blood Tests – There is no blood test for cancer. Changes in the composition of blood could indicate problems such as low red blood cells, high white blood cells or changes in kidney and liver function.

X-Ray – An x-ray will detect tumors in the lungs, chest or bones.


Ultrasound – The best technique for detecting tumors in the abdomen. A biopsy would be needed to confirm any findings.

Endoscopy – A video camera on a thin tube that is inserted into the mouth or nose to look for tumors.

Surgery – To examine any area in question.

CT/MRI Scans – Best technique for detecting tumors that are near bone are unable to be seen by X-rays.



Click Here for Information on Canine Cancer Treatments
Dog Health Guide Home

Sources


Nutrition and Cancer: New Keys for Cure and Control 2003!
Gregory K. Ogilvie, DVM, DACVIM (Internal Medicine & Oncology)
Colorado State University
Ft. Collins, CO, USA

Prostatic Disease in the Dog
Peter E. Holt, BVMS, PhD, ILTM, DECVS, CBiol, FIBiol, FRCVS
Professor of Veterinary Surgery, University of Bristol,
Department of Clinical Veterinary Science
Langford, Bristol, UK

Lymphoma
Antony Moore, BVSC
Diplomate ACVIM
Director, Veterinary Oncology Consultants
379 Lake Innes Drive
Wauchope NSW 2446
Australia

Canine Brain Tumors: Improvements in Diagnosis and Treatment
R Chun
School of Veterinary Medicine
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Neoplasia of the Nervous System (spinal tumors)
S. Long
School of Veterinary Medicine
University of Pennsylvania

Current Therapy for Canine Oral Tumors
M. Kessler
Tierklinik Hofheim, Germany

Dog Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook
James M. Giffin
Liisa D. Carlson DVM

Hound Health Handbook
Betsy Brev itz, DVM

Pets Best Pet Insurance
For a free quote on Dog Health Insurance


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