Canine Stomach Cancer
No matter how well you take care of your dog, canine cancer can develop. Although stomach cancer is not common in dogs, it does occur. Knowing as much as you can about canine stomach cancer can help you protect your pet with early diagnosis and help you and vet choose the proper treatment.
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Susceptibility
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According to Pet Cancer Center, stomach cancer is one of the less common forms of cancer, accounting for less than one percent of canine cancers. Those dogs impacted by stomach cancer are more likely to be eight or older. More male dogs develop it than female. Although any dog can develop stomach cancer, certain types of dogs are more susceptible than others. Chow chows, for example, are much more likely to have stomach cancer than other breeds. Certain other breeds, including Akitas, Irish setters, Scottish terriers and keeshonds, are also diagnosed with stomach cancer more than other breeds.
Symptoms
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There are certain symptoms to be aware of that may indicate stomach cancer. Some dogs may develop vomiting or diarrhea. You may also notice your dog's bowel movements appear dark and tar-like. Bloating is also common, as is loss of appetite. According to Pet Cancer Center, because of the inability of the stomach to properly digest and the proteins that are lost due to this lack of digestion, your dog may become weak and lose weight. Although these are all common symptoms, not every dog will develop all of these symptoms or to the same severity.
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Diagnosis
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Once you suspect stomach cancer, schedule an appointment with a veterinarian to properly diagnose your dog. Your vet will perform some tests if he agrees that your concerns are warranted. Your vet will order an ultrasound or a double-contrast x-ray to examine your dog's stomach. If masses are seen via these tests, a biopsy will probably be performed under sedation, during a gastroscopy. The biopsied mass will be studied to determine a diagnosis, according to Pet Cancer Center.
Treatment
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The most common treatment for canine stomach cancer is surgery to remove the tumor which could be blocking food movement in the stomach. According to Dog Health Guide, treatment is most effective if the cancer has not metastasized, or spread, to other areas of the body. Although chemotherapy or radiation can be effective for other types of cancer, they are not recommended for stomach cancer. Because of the location of the stomach, radiation can cause problems with the liver and intestines, and studies on chemotherapy have not shown it is significantly beneficial.
Prognosis
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Because stomach cancer tends to spread quickly, malignant tumors usually have a poor prognosis. Dogs with malignant tumors often die within six months of treatment, even if the tumor is successfully removed, because the cancer either returns or spreads, according to Pet Cancer Center. Because of the poor prognosis with malignant tumors, you may not opt for surgery. If this is the case, the best thing you can do for your dog is make him comfortable for his remaining days.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit black/blue tongued chow chow image by Scrivener from Fotolia.com
