| We all have questions and concerns about our | | | | abdomen are common. It is difficult to make |
| pets. This article is about cancer in dogs | | | | an early diagnosis. Weight loss and abdominal |
| and hopefully answers any pet health | | | | enlargement are common signs of these tumors. |
| questions you may have. | | | | |
| | | | 8. Bone - Bone tumors are most commonly seen |
| 1. Skin - Skin tumors are very common in | | | | in large breed dogs and rarely in cats. The |
| older dogs, but much less common in cats. | | | | leg bones, near joints, are the most common |
| Most skin tumors in cats are malignant, but | | | | sites. Persistent lameness and swelling of |
| in dogs they are often benign. All skin | | | | the leg is an early sign of disease. |
| tumors should be examined by your | | | | |
| veterinarian. | | | | Common Signs of Cancer in Pets |
| | | | |
| 2. Breast - Fifty percent of all breast | | | | * Abnormal swellings that persist or continue |
| tumors in dogs and 85% of all breast tumors | | | | to grow |
| in cats are malignant. Spaying your pet | | | | |
| between 6 and 12 months of age will greatly | | | | * Sores that do not heal |
| reduce the risk of breast cancer. Surgery is | | | | |
| the treatment of choice for this type of | | | | * Weight loss |
| cancer. | | | | |
| | | | * Loss of appetite |
| 3. Head & Neck - Cancer of the mouth is | | | | |
| common in dogs and less common in cats. A | | | | * Bleeding or discharge from any body opening |
| mass on the gums, bleeding, odor, or | | | | |
| difficult eating are signs to watch for. Many | | | | * Offensive odor |
| swellings are malignant, so early aggressive | | | | |
| treatment is essential. Cancer may develop | | | | * Difficulty eating or swallowing |
| inside the nose of both cats and dogs. | | | | |
| Bleeding from the nose, difficulty breathing, | | | | * Hesitance to exercise or loss of stamina |
| or facial swelling may occur. | | | | |
| | | | * Persistent lameness or stiffness |
| 4. Lymphoma - Lymphoma is a common form of | | | | |
| cancer in dogs and cats. It is characterized | | | | * Difficulty breathing, urinating, or |
| by enlargement of one or many lymph nodes in | | | | defecating |
| the body. A virus causes most of these | | | | |
| cancers in cats. Chemotherapy is frequently | | | | Many of the above signs are also seen with |
| effective in controlling this type of cancer. | | | | noncancerous conditions but still warrant |
| | | | prompt attention by your veterinarian to |
| 5. Feline Leukemia Complex - The feline | | | | determine the cause. Cancer is frequently |
| leukemia virus is contagious among cats and | | | | treatable, and early diagnosis will aid your |
| will occasionally cause true cancer. There is | | | | veterinarian in delivering the best care |
| no proof that it is contagious to humans. | | | | possible. |
| While a great deal of research is ongoing, no | | | | |
| consistently effective treatment is presently | | | | Each cancer requires individual care. Your |
| available for virus-positive cats. | | | | veterinarian may use surgery, chemotherapy, |
| | | | radiation, cryosurgery (freezing), |
| 6. Testicles - Testicular tumors are rare in | | | | hyperthermia (heating) or immunotherapy to |
| cats and common in dogs, especially those | | | | effectively treat cancers. Combination |
| with retained testes. Most of these cancers | | | | therapy is commonly employed. |
| are curable with surgery. | | | | |
| | | | What is the Success Rate? |
| 7. Abdominal Tumors - Tumors inside the | | | | |