Cancer in dogs: symptoms and treatment

Such a disease, like cancer, can not only be in humans. It is also diagnosed in animals. For example, cancer in dogs is found quite often. There are statistics from which, in females, this disease occurs more often than in males. As a rule, this disease occurs in animals older than 10 years.

Description of the disease

Cancer in dogs is not much different from cancer of people. The essence of this disease is that the cells begin to mutate. There is a theory according to which, the disease arises from the change of one cell in the body. Then it starts to share, and the infected area spreads. If the disease is not diagnosed on time, then large groups of mutated cells are formed. Then tumors and metastases are formed.

If the animal has a disease such as breast cancer, the metastases can spread to 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 interfere with the proper functioning of neighboring organs. 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 worsens.

Dogs can have cancer of any organs. Old animals are mainly affected by the disease. But there are cases of cancer in young dogs. It should be said that cancer is a general characteristic of the disease. The mutation of cells can affect different organs and have its own version in each individual case. Therefore, the person can not cure cancer by himself. Treatment at home can relieve certain manifestations of the disease. In order to provide substantial assistance to the animal, it is necessary to contact the veterinarian.

Early diagnosis increases the chances of recovery

It should be said that the earlier cancer is detected in a dog (the photo of which does not cause any positive emotions), the more chances of its recovery. Also, the owners of animals need to know that there are veterinarians of narrow specialization who are engaged in oncological diseases. Therefore, it is advisable to treat the cancer of an animal from a veterinarian-oncologist.

It is impossible to make a prediction how long a dog can survive with an oncological disease. Since there are many factors that influence this circumstance. First, 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 the cancer is detected at the initial stage of the disease, timely assistance to the animal will ensure her further long life. Also important is what organ is affected by malignant cells. In some cases, you can perform an operation to remove the tumor. Possible options for treatment and a prognosis for recovery can be determined by a veterinarian after a thorough diagnosis of the dog.

How does the disease manifest itself?

The main problem of diagnosis of cancer is that they initially pass without any signs. Identify the cancer is possible only through the delivery of tests. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly visit a veterinarian with a dog for this. The main tests that will 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, no veterinarian will help.

Bitches are more susceptible to bitch

Often there is cancer in bitches. This is due to an unstable hormonal background during estrus, childbirth and in the postpartum period. In order to avoid the occurrence of a bitch cancer veterinarians recommend to sterilize the dog. Especially in cases where the spread of offspring 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 dogs: symptoms and types

Now consider the popular types:

1. Oncological disease of mammary glands in bitches. Breast cancer in dogs can be detected at an early stage. To detect it, the owner of the dog needs to follow the nipples. Signs of cancer can be manifested in the appearance of nipples on the nipples or seals. 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, the tumors will be visible visually, and the nipples will change color. If the tumor is damaged, bleeding will appear.

2. Cancer of the dog's uterus. Diagnosing this type of cancer is harder. Blood poisoning is a sign of infection. But they can also be a consequence of other diseases. In case of cancer of the uterus, miscarriages occur in the bitch or dead puppies are born. The cause of this disease can be drugs, which include hormones. And cancer cells can appear after one reception of such a remedy.

3. Another group of risk of cancer is the dogs of large breeds. Visually determine that the animal has cancer, almost impossible. In large dogs, sometimes the disease affects the bone tissue. A sign that the animal has cancer, there may be changes in walking and running. If such symptoms appear, you should show the dog to a specialist. 4. Oncological diseases of the stomach and intestines can be determined by violations of the body. Namely, a change in stool, vomiting, a smell from the mouth. It is necessary to pay attention to the dog's feces. Look, is there any discharge in it, for example blood. They will be another sign that there is cancer in the dog. Symptoms of stomach cancer are as follows - weight loss and appetite.

5. Cancer can also be diagnosed. It is difficult to detect skin cancer in dogs. Especially in animals that have abundant hair. Therefore, it is recommended to inspect the dog's skin regularly. It is better to do this while bathing or combing. Oncological skin disease 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 become yellow in the animal. This is due to the fact that bile enters the bloodstream. The consistency of the exchange products also varies. With the spread of cancer cells in the liver, the dog refuses to eat and constantly tears.

7. Lung cancer in dogs. This disease begins with a cough. With further progression, it intensifies, expectorations begin, in which saliva contains bloody discharge and pus.

8. Also in dogs there is a lesion of the spleen by cancer cells. But this type of disease is infrequent. There are no obvious signs indicating the occurrence of this disease. Usually the animal shows deterioration in general condition, lethargy, apathy, and so on.

9. Oncological kidney disease. Note kidney cancer is difficult, there are almost no external manifestations, especially at an early stage of the disease. At a later stage of the disease progression, blood appears in the urine. Also the dog starts colic, and she whines. The gait of the dog undergoes changes due to pain.

Diagnosis

What are the ways to detect a dog's cancer? There is a theory according to which, dogs feel the presence of infected cells in the human body. Allegedly, they can tell by smell whether a person has cancer or not. Perhaps they really manage to feel an oncological disease in the human body.

But as for themselves, it is more difficult to do. There is a possibility that dogs feel that their body is infected with malignant cells. But, unfortunately, they can not report this fact to their master.

Methods of diagnosis

The main method of detecting the disease at an early stage of dog cancer is to visit a veterinarian and take the tests. The doctor appoints the animal to donate 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 affecting the malignant cells, further examination is carried out. Namely, computer diagnostics of a specific organ is assigned. It can be carried out through ultrasound, MRI and other methods. If a tumor is detected, the vet takes a puncture of the tissue in order to identify whether it is malignant or not.

Treatment

It should be said that cancer treatment in dogs should be entrusted to a specialist. Do not engage in self-medication or listen to any people who do not have a special education and proper qualifications in this field.

It is not recommended to engage in self-medication because the disease is of an individual nature, for example, squamous cell carcinoma exists in dogs. Many of this and did not hear. Identify the features of the disease can only vet, based on the results of analyzes and other studies.

To treat malignant cells in dogs, chemotherapy is used. The next step is to remove the tumor. It is not possible to do this in all cases of the disease. For example, if the brain is injured, surgery can not be performed. If the operation to remove the tumor took place, then a re-session of chemotherapy is prescribed.

Then the animal is prescribed special preparations to maintain immunity and stabilize the body.

Nutrition for cancer

It is necessary to provide the dog with proper nutrition. The diet should not include spicy and fatty foods. Such a diet should be maintained for a long time. It should be said that fatty foods are not recommended for consumption and a healthy pet.

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 should be ensured that the dog does not come into contact with stray animals, since the body after the course of treatment is weakened and it will be better to exclude any sources of infection.

Sleep

There are cases when the cancer in dogs progresses very quickly and the treatment does not give positive results. In this case, the owner of the animal should think about how to put him to sleep, since this option will save him from suffering.

If a person sees that the treatment does not ease the suffering of the animal, then it is recommended that he talk with the veterinarian about whether it is worth continuing, whether there is a chance that the dog will recover. If the treating veterinarian says that the chances of the dog are zero, the best way out of the situation will be to put the pet to sleep.

Thus, the owner of the animal will save him from painful pains. If death is inevitable due to cancer and the dog suffers, then euthanasia should be resorted to.

Contact another specialist

There is an option that the veterinarian can not help the animal, and the owner of the dog is sure of her recovery. Then it is recommended to contact another specialist. Perhaps he will pick up another treatment scheme, and the dog will recover.

Conclusion

Now you know how cancer develops in dogs. We described the symptoms and methods of treatment. Unfortunately, such a disease is very serious. Therefore, if you suspect that the animal has cancer, then immediately consult a qualified specialist.