It’s a pet parent’s worst nightmare – you find a tumor on your dog and immediately think cancer. While about half of all dogs over 10 years old cancer development, it can be difficult to spot the early signs. Signs and symptoms of early cancer in dogs vary and can resemble many other conditions or diseases, explains Len Boyko, CEO, Pet Cancer Foundation. However, the earlier you detect cancer, the better. In many cases with a specific cancer diagnosis, there are effective treatments that can help your dog live a long life.
The top six signs of cancer in dogs
Depending on the type of cancer your dog has, the overall warning signs to look for may include:
With bladder cancer, the dog may strain to urinate or have blood in the urine, and with stomach cancer, the dog’s vomit may be red or have the appearance of “coffee grounds.” If you see any of these signs, consult your veterinarian as soon as possible. Early detection plays an important part in your pet’s ability to fight cancer.
The most common cancers in dogs
bone cancer is the most common bone cancer in dogs, however there are many different types of sarcoma. “[A] A veterinary oncologist will work to rule out Chondrosarcoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Synovial Cell Sarcoma, and Fungal Bone Infections with similar symptoms. Len says identifying the specific type of cancer that is present is part of providing a more effective treatment for the type of disease your dog has.
The most common type of cancer Dr. Daniela Korecveterinary oncologist at VCA SouthPaws . Veterinary Specialist and Emergency Center in Virginia, seen in the dogs at her clinic is lymphoma. Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system and lymph nodes, and because the lymphatic system exists throughout the body, many different types of lymphoma can occur. She says the most common symptom is enlarged lymph nodes, but when it affects the digestive tract, there can be other signs like diarrhea, vomiting or changes in bowel movements.
How to detect early signs of cancer in dogs
About half of all dogs over the age of 10 will get cancer, according to American Veterinary Medical Association. Although cancers are often classified according to the parts of the body they affect, such as bladder, bone, or lung cancers, within these body parts, there are many different types of cancer and are often difficult to find. detect symptoms early.
Len emphasizes the importance of monitoring your dog’s health at home.
“When petting and massaging them, feel all over their body for lumps, bumps, scrapes, cuts, wounds or sores,” he says. “We should recognize that early detection of cancer is an essential part of giving any pet a better chance to fight the disease. This means that as families with pets, we need to pay attention to their health and well-being on a daily basis and notice even the smallest changes that could be a sign of something. that’s different. That doesn’t mean we should overreact, just being aware of their physical and emotional ‘normality’ is important to keeping them healthy,” says Len.
Advances in cancer diagnosis in dogs
A new multiple cancer detection test called OncoK9developed by PetDx, detected 26 types of canine cancer in high-risk dogs without any early signs of cancer. The liquid biopsy test is non-invasive and can help veterinarians diagnose cancers that are difficult to detect, such as spleen cancer in dogs, liver cancer in dogs, and lung cancer in dogs. The learn was recently published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA).
Besides, Pet Cancer Foundation has a wide range of resources on its website, www.pet Cancerfdn.org in the “Treatment and Support” section to learn more about a cancer diagnosis and what to do for your dog.
