A disease like cancer may not only be in humans. It is also diagnosed in animals. For example, cancer in dogs is detected quite often. There are statistics based on which, in bitches, this disease is more common than in males. As a rule, this disease occurs in animals whose age is more than 10 years.
Description of the disease
Cancer in dogs is not much different from human cancer. The essence of this disease is that the cells begin to mutate. There is a theory according to which, the disease occurs due to changes 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 mutated cells are formed. Then tumors and metastases form.
If the animal has a disease such as breast cancer, then metastases can spread to the bone tissue and lungs.
Gradually, infected cells become more and more, tumors stop the normal functioning of the organs of the animal’s body. They also impede the proper functioning of neighboring bodies. The next stage in the development of the disease is the decomposition of tumors. This process is characterized by bleeding. From all of the above, the general condition of the dog is deteriorating.
Dogs can have cancer of any organs. Mostly diseases affect old animals. But there are cases of cancer in young dogs. It should be said that cancer is a common characteristic of the disease. A cell mutation can affect different organs and in each case have its own variety. Therefore, a person will not be able to cure cancer in a dog on his own. Home treatment can relieve certain manifestations of the disease. In order to provide significant assistance to the animal, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian.
Early diagnosis increases your chances of recovery
It should be said that the sooner the cancer is detected in a dog (whose photo does not cause any positive emotions in anyone), the more chances there are for its recovery. Also, animal owners need to know that there are veterinarians of a narrow specialization that deal with cancer. Therefore, it will be advisable to treat the cancer of the animal at the oncologist veterinarian.
It is impossible to predict how long a dog can live with cancer. Since there are many factors that affect this circumstance. Firstly, the age of the dog plays a role. Secondly, an important factor is at what stage the disease is diagnosed.
If infected cells spread slowly and cancer is detected at the initial stage of the disease, timely assistance to the animal will ensure its further long life. It also matters which organ is affected by the malignant cells. In some cases, a tumor can be removed. Possible treatment options and a prognosis for recovery can be determined by the veterinarian after a thorough diagnosis of the dog.
How is the disease manifested?
The main problem in the diagnosis of cancer is that they initially pass without any signs. Cancer can only be detected by testing. Therefore, you must regularly visit a veterinarian with a dog for this. The main tests that can help detect cancer cells are blood and urine tests for biochemistry.
Owners of animals should remember that treatment of the disease is possible only at an early stage of detection. In the event that the spread of cancer cells is started, not a single veterinarian will help.
More susceptible to bitches disease
Cancer is often found in bitches. This is due to an unstable hormonal background during estrus, childbirth and the postpartum period. In order to avoid the occurrence of cancer in a bitch, veterinarians recommend sterilizing the dog. Especially in cases where proliferation is not planned.
If the dog gives birth, then after 8 years, when the breeding work ends, the animal also needs to be sterilized. This procedure will protect the dog from this disease.
Cancer in a dog: symptoms and types
Now consider the popular types:
1. Oncological disease of the mammary glands in bitches. Breast cancer in dogs can be detected at an early stage. To identify it, the owner of the dog must monitor the nipples. Signs of cancer can appear in the appearance of lumps 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 treatment measures have not been taken, then the tumors will be visible visually, and the nipples will change color. If the tumor is damaged, bleeding will appear.
2. Cancer of the uterus of the dog. Diagnosing this type of cancer is harder. A sign of infection is spotting. But they can also be the result of other diseases. With uterine cancer, the bitch has miscarriages or dead puppies are born. The cause of this disease can be drugs that include hormones. Moreover, cancer cells may appear after one dose of such a tool.
3. Another risk group for cancer are large breed dogs. Visually determining that an animal has cancer is almost impossible. In large dogs, the disease sometimes affects bone tissue. A sign that the animal has cancer may be changes in walking and running. If these symptoms appear, show the dog to a specialist.
4. Cancer 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 feces of the dog. See if it contains any discharge, such as blood. They will be another sign that the dog has cancer.
Symptoms of stomach
cancer are the following - weight loss and appetite.
5. Cancer of the skin can also be diagnosed. It can be difficult to spot skin cancer in dogs. Especially in animals that have abundant hair. Therefore, it is recommended to regularly examine the skin of the dog. It is better to do this while bathing or combing. An oncological disease of the skin is manifested by the formation of dark spots or seals on it. The color of the spots can be different, from red to dark brown.
6. Liver cancer in dogs. When the liver is damaged by cancer cells, the mucous membranes turn yellow in the animal. This is due to the fact that bile enters the bloodstream. The consistency of exchange products is also changing. With the spread of cancer cells in the liver, the dog refuses food and constantly tears it.
7. Cancer of the lungs. This disease begins with a cough. With further progression, it intensifies, expectoration begins, in which there is blood discharge and pus in the saliva.
8. Also in dogs there is a lesion of the spleen by cancer cells. But this type of disease is not common. There are no obvious signs indicating the occurrence of this disease. Usually, the animal shows a deterioration in general condition, lethargy, apathy, and so on.
9. Cancer of the kidney. It is difficult to detect kidney cancer, there are practically no external manifestations, especially in the early stages of the disease. At a later stage in the progression of the disease, blood appears in the urine. Also, the dog begins colic, and it whines. The gait of the dog undergoes changes due to pain.
Diagnosis
What are the ways to detect cancer in a dog? There is a theory according to which, dogs feel the presence of infected cells in the human body. Allegedly, they can smell to determine whether a person has cancer or not. Perhaps they really manage to feel the cancer in the human body.
But as for themselves, making it harder. Dogs are likely to feel that their bodies are infected with malignant cells. But, unfortunately, they cannot report this fact to their owner.
Diagnostic Methods
The main method for detecting the disease in the early stages of dog cancer is to visit a veterinarian and be tested. The doctor prescribes the animal to give blood and urine. According to the results of the tests, namely the presence of any changes in the blood or urine, the veterinarian appoints 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 prescribed. It can be performed using ultrasound, MRI and other methods. If a tumor is detected, the veterinarian takes a puncture of the tissue in order to detect whether it is malignant or not.
Treatment
It should be said that the treatment of cancer in dogs must be entrusted to a specialist. Do not self-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 characteristics of the disease, based on the results of tests and other studies.
Chemotherapy is used to treat cancer cells in dogs. The next step is to remove the tumor. It does not seem 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 chemotherapy session is prescribed.
Next, special preparations are prescribed for the animal to maintain immunity and stabilize the body.
Cancer Nutrition
It is necessary to provide the dog with proper nutrition. Spicy and fatty foods should not be included in the diet. Such a diet should be maintained for a long time. It should be said that fatty foods are not recommended for consumption by a healthy pet either.
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, as the body is weakened after a course of treatment and it will be better to exclude any sources of infection.
Euthanasia
There are cases that cancer in dogs progresses very quickly and the treatment provided does not give positive results. In this case, the owner of the animal should think about putting him to sleep, since this option will save him from torment.
If a person sees that the treatment does not alleviate the suffering of the animal, then he is advised to talk with the veterinarian about whether to continue it, whether there is a chance that the dog will recover. If the attending veterinarian says that the dog’s chances are zero, then the best way out of the situation is to euthanize the pet.
Thus, the owner of the animal will relieve him of excruciating pains. If death is inevitable due to cancer and the dog suffers, then you should resort to euthanasia.
Contact another specialist
There is an option that the veterinarian cannot help the animal, and the owner of the dog is confident in its recovery. Then it is recommended to contact another specialist. Perhaps he will choose another treatment regimen and the dog will recover.
Conclusion
Now you know how cancers manifest in dogs. We 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.