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