Cancer in Dogs

There are several diseases that a dog can suffer from and one of those is cancer. Cancer is one of those problems that we really don’t understand the cause. There are also several types of cancer in dogs, which makes it hard for an owner to prevent the disease from occurring. If you are worried about your dogs health and wish to try and prevent some cancers from forming or becoming worse you may want to continue reading. Below is a list of the types of cancer that are most prevalent in dogs.

Connective tissue cancer- this type of cancer is usually found in the joints or in tissue that connects organs inside the body.
Testis- this is cancer of the testicles, and can be removed or prevented by neutering your dog.
Skin Cancer- is often most prevalent in Golden Retrievers or dogs that have a lot of skin irritations.
Lymphoma- attacks the immune system of the dog and forms lumps under the skin.
Bone Cancer- this type of cancer is often found in the legs, specifically the hind legs of the dog.
Stomach and Intestinal Cancer- cancerous cells will form inside the stomach or intestines and can cause bloating, vomiting, and coughing up of blood.
Breast Cancer- this cancer can be prevented with the removal of the breasts in dogs, and will usually show up as a larger lump.
Oral Cancer- usually this cancer is found in the nose or mouth of the dog. Bleeding gums, lumps on the gums, or bleeding in the nose usually signifies this type of cancer.
Liver Cancer- cells will form on the liver or in the liver causing several systems to malfunction in the dog, especially the immune system.

Each of the above cancers can be found in dogs and while we don’t always understand the cause of the cancer you can be assured that there are things you can do to try and prevent the disease as well as treatment options for your dog. I mentioned a few of the prevention methods along with a description of the diseases, however keep in mind that a healthy diet and exercise may be the best method of prevention. Most often we have found that food, pesticides, and other harmful materials on the earth are what lead to cancer in any patient. If you provide a healthy home for your dog, with the proper nutrition you can help to prevent abnormal cells from forming. In some cases cancer is linked to a genetic issue, and in this case it cannot be prevented.

Treatment will vary depending on the severity of the cancer and the type of cancer. The best option is usually surgery to make sure all the cancer cells have been removed, but sometimes this can be a risky procedure or you may want something that is not invasive. Surgery will usually cut away the tumor or if it is bone cancer the leg may have to be amputated. For other treatment you have radiation, medication, and chemotherapy. Again it depends on the type of cancer as to which method the doctor will prescribe for treatment. Radiation is usually the first treatment the vet will seek as it is supposed to reduce the cancerous cells in a few treatments. The medication can help block inflammation as well as the re- growth of new cells. It is best to discuss all aspects of treatment before you make a decision as you want your dog as comfortable as possible.

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Gerry Ronson is a writer for the website Dog supplies and dog collars.

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