Unfortunately, cancer is as common in dogs as it is in people. It can affect all dog breeds and ages, particularly older ones. Every veterinarian knows getting a cancer diagnosis in your animal companion can be heartbreaking and devastating. But like humans, dog cancers caught early can be treated or sometimes successfully cured.
As we get going, we’ll discuss the different types of cancer in dogs and the treatment options commonly used to treat them.
Dog Cancer Types You Should Know About
Finding a lump on your four-legged companion can be upsetting. Although not all lumps are cancerous, there are a few cancer types usually found in dogs.
Here are five to name a few:
1. Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer)
Osteosarcoma is a painful form of bone cancer typically found in longer or larger bones of dogs, such as the pelvis or leg bones. Although any dog breeds are susceptible to osteosarcoma, veterinarians often see this condition in larger dog breeds like Golden Retrievers, German shepherds, rottweilers, weimaraners, dobermans, Irish Wolfhounds, and boxers.
2. Mast Cell Tumors
A mast cell tumor is a type of skin cancer in the connective tissues, especially the vessels and nerves close to the dog’s external surface (mouth, nose, skin, and lungs ). Mast cell tumors are graded and evaluated according to their presence of inflammation and location in the skin. Just as mast cell tumors are common in canines, so are brain tumors. However, brain tumors usually happen in older dogs and are treated by veterinary neurologists.
You may check websites like https://www.vetreferralcenter.com/site/veterinary-specialties-springfield/neurology-neurosurgery to learn more about the conditions vet neurologists treat.
3. Melanoma
Melanoma tumors can be found anywhere on a dog’s body and are usually 1/4 inch to 2 inches in diameter. Swollen lymph nodes are among the primary signs you should look out for. Generally, melanoma can be treated by removing the tumor and addressed through early detection. Pet parents can discover unusual masses by regularly inspecting their pet’s toes, eyes, and other body areas.
When you see suspicious round masses that quickly develop, this could be an alarming symptom of melanoma. Take your pet to a reliable veterinarian in Springfield, VA, to be examined and treated.
4. Lymphoma
This type of pet cancer can cause cancer bumps on the lymph nodes and targets the dog’s immune system. While lymphoma is among the most common dog cancer types, the causes of its high occurrence rate remain unknown. Lymphomas in pets have no known cause, although certain factors like genes and environment are believed to be contributors.
Some of the common symptoms of lymphoma in dogs include:
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Increased urination and thirst
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling or enlarged lymph nodes
If you see these signs altogether, don’t try any home remedies and make your pet feel better. It’s best to have them checked by a specialist in pet oncology in Springfield, VA, so diagnosis and treatment can begin right away.
5. Soft-tissue Sarcoma
Soft-tissue sarcoma can develop outside or inside a dog’s body. These cancer bumps can be easily spotted outside, especially in their early stages. However, sarcomas that develop inside a canine’s body are difficult to identify until they grow big enough to be seen.
Pet Cancer Treatment Options
As veterinary medicine continues to advance, treatments for pet cancer are being made more available and effective than ever. In some cases, it’s even possibly curable. However, this doesn’t mean every cat or dog cancer can be cured. Factors like tumor type, size, location, specific treatment options, and early detection will dictate the outcome for individual patients.
Depending on the type of cancer your animal companion has, treatment may include the following:
- Surgery
- Conventional Radiation Therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Holistic or herbal therapy
- Palliative Care
Final Thoughts
Cancer can be a distressing medical diagnosis for dogs and their fur parents. While the road ahead might be full of uncertainties and mixed emotions, you can still improve your pet’s quality of life by connecting them with professional pet oncologists who can provide tailored treatment plans to guide you through this challenging process.
