Stomach Cancer in Dogs
Stomach cancer in dogs occurs relatively rarely, making up only 1 percent of cancer diagnosed in canines. The most common cancer of the stomach is adenocarcinoma, which often spreads to the dog's lymph nodes, liver and lungs and proves to be fatal.
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Candidates
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The average age of dogs diagnosed with stomach cancer is 8 years, and males seem to be more likely to get the disease than female canines. Chows are 10 to 20 times more likely to get stomach cancer than other breeds. Other breeds at increased risk include the Akita, Belgian sheepdog, Irish setter, Keeshond, Norwegian elkhound and the Scottish terrier.
Symptoms
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Symptoms of stomach cancer often include vomiting with blood, weight loss because of poor digestion, diarrhea, bloat, dark tarry stool, lack of appetite and generalized weakness.
The dog may also exhibit behavioral changes such as whining and growling.
Some dogs do not exhibit all or even any of these symptoms.
Diagnosis
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If your veterinarian suspects your pet has stomach cancer, the doctor will begin by doing a physical examination and taking the pet's history. A complete blood count, a chemistry profile, S-rays and ultrasounds may be used to diagnose the illness. Your vet may perform a gastroscopy, which involves using an endoscope to look at the stomach, and take a biopsy. The doctor may also perform surgery to take a biopsy.
Treatment
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Surgery to remove the tumor is the most often-used treatment in stomach cancer. Radiation and chemotherapy are rarely prescribed in cases of stomach cancer in dogs. Both have shown little success in treating the disease.
Pain Management
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If your dog is diagnosed with stomach cancer, discuss pain management with your veterinarian. Several different options, including prescription medications and holistic treatments, may ease your pet's discomfort and improve his quality of life. You may wish to consult with a homeopathic veterinarian about treatments such as acupuncture, aromatherapy and herbal solutions.
Other Types
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Other types of stomach cancers include gastrointestinal stromal tumors, leiomyosarcoma, lymphoma, mast cell tumor, extramedullary plasmacytoma and fibrosarcoma.
Prognosis
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The prognosis for dogs diagnosed with malignant stomach cancer is usually poor. However, benign tumors can sometimes be removed by surgery.
When surgery is possible with a malignant tumor, the cancer usually recurs and is fatal to the pet within six months. The cancer often returns to the stomach or spreads to another organ.
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References
- Photo Credit Flickr/ehecatzin
