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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 dont 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.
Quick Links to Detailed Information on Canine Cancer
Types of Canine Cancer and Tumors
Canine Anal Gland TumorsBladder Cancer for Dog Canine Bone Cancer Chondrosarcoma Osteosarcoma Benign Canine Bone Tumors  Canine Breast Cancer  Canine Intestinal Cancer Canine Kidney Cancer Canine Leukemia Liver Tumor Dog Lumps and Bumps on Skin  Canine Lymphoma Canine Mammary Cancer   Multiple Myeloma Canine Prostate Cancer  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 CancerBasset Hound trichoepitheliomaKerry 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 SymptomsThere are eight early warning signs of cancer in your dog:- Unusual swelling that continues to grow 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 CancerDetermining 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 CancerBiopsy 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.
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