Incidence of Cancer in Dogs

Pfizer reports that about 1.2 million new dog cancer cases are diagnosed in the U.S. every year.

Like people, dogs can be affected by cancer in their skin, bones and internal organs. While there are new types of cancers still being discovered, there are a number of ways to treat the ones science has already studied, so a diagnosis of cancer in your dog does not mean a death sentence. About 1,100 dogs in every 100,000 will develop a kind of cancer; if cancer strikes your pet, a veterinary oncologist will have answers for you.

Symptoms

Warning signs for canine cancer include unusual swellings or lumps that continue to grow; sores that aren't healing; weight loss; bleeding or discharge from body openings; reluctance to move; energy loss; difficulty when breathing, urinating or defecating; and an increase in time spent sleeping. In particular, lumps that are located around the mouth, have an irregular shape, grow quickly and/or bleed or aren't confined to one area should be checked out right away. In male dogs, enlarged or lumpy testicles, bloody urine, squatting to urinate and swollen breasts can indicate testicular cancer.

Diagnosis

Because individual cells need to be analyzed, diagnosis of canine cancer is a more in-depth process than a simple visual examination. A biopsy is the removal of a portion of a potentially cancerous growth; once taken, it will be sent to a lab and tested for malignancy. Other procedures that can lead to diagnosis include fine-needle aspiration (like a biopsy, but using a needle to extract the sample), blood tests, X-rays, endoscopy, surgery, ultrasounds, CT scans and MRIs, urinalyses, immunological studies or other aspirations (like bone marrow or lymph node).

Treatment

If a dog's tumor has spread, it probably isn't curable. In this case, the dog's quality of life is the priority. Prevention of pain, nausea, vomiting and hunger become the focus of the dog's treatment. If the tumor hasn't spread yet, it might be cured, and immune system therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or a combination of these will be prescribed. In 2009, Pfizer Animal Health announced that Palladia, the first drug produced in the U.S. specifically for canine cancer, would be available early the next year. In trials, 60 percent of dogs experienced the shrinkage, elimination or halted growth of their tumors.

Alternative Therapies

Trained veterinary acupuncturists can't prevent cancer, but they can lessen the pain dogs experience while coping with it. Over several treatments, acupuncture can provide analgesia without the side effects prescription drugs can cause. Static magnetic therapy can also reduce the size of tumors and stop growth with little or no side effects. Nutritionally, supplementing the dog's diet with vitamins and antioxidants (vitamins E and C, selenium, beta-carotene, ginkgo bilboa, green tea and grape seed extract), membrane stabilizers (omega-3-fatty acids, gammalinolenic acid, coenzyme Q-10), immunostimulants (echinacea and astragalus), anti-cancer herbs (cat's claw, reishi and maitake mushrooms and Pau D'Arco) and other dietary supplements (essiac tea, wheatgrass extract, soybean concentrate or chlorella).

Whether to Treat

Cancer treatment can be an expensive and time-consuming undertaking. In most cases, the treatment can make your dog even more uncomfortable. If your dog is very far along or very old, you may not want to treat him and instead keep the dog comfortable for the time he has left. A supportive approach, rather than pursuing a cure, is a perfectly acceptable path to take.

References

• Pet Education: Cancer Care: Pain Management, Nutritional Support, Control of Vomiting and Nausea
• VetInfo: 5 Subtle Canine Cancer Symptoms Worth a Trip to the Vet
• Dog Health Guide: Canine Cancer
• PetMD: First Cancer Drug for Dogs Approved by FDA
• University of Florida: Integrative Treatment of Cancer in Dogs