Canine Abdominal Cancer
Canine abdominal cancer can take either one of two forms: intestinal (gastric leiomyosarcoma) or stomach (gastric adenocarcinomas). It's not uncommon for any of our beloved pets to contract cancer. According to the National Canine Cancer Foundation, cancer is responsible for nearly half of the deaths of older pets; that is, dogs and cats beyond the age of 10.
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Significance
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Tumors tend to occur frequently within the abdomen, and early diagnosis can often be difficult. Sudden enlargement of the gut and weight loss are early signs of these tumors. This kind of cancer can attack any of the abdominal organs, including the kidney, liver, spleen and lymph nodes.
Symptoms
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Intestinal and stomach cancer in dogs is characterized by vomiting, diarrhea (with cancer in the small intestine), loss of appetite and sometimes projectile vomiting. More severely, there can be sudden weakness and collapse, reports PetPlace.com. The abdomen can become enlarged gradually over weeks. If there seems to be a reduction of muscle or fat in other areas of the body and a decreased activity level, along with the symptoms described above, see your veterinarian right away.
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Diagnosis
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The diagnostic course of action should include a series of tests to make sure cancer is indeed the culprit and to help assess the proper course of treatment. A medical history and exam are basic to this investigation. The following tests should at least be discussed with your dog's veterinarian: abdominal X-rays, ultrasonography
abdominocentesis (a sampling of fluid from the abdomen), chest X-rays and blood tests that include a biochemistry analysis, complete blood count, packed cell volume and total protein. A biopsy might be appropriate, along with a urinalysis.
Direct Examination
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It's common for the veterinarian to watch for any masses on the ultrasound that show up after examination of the stomach area and entire gastrointestinal region. The lymph nodes located in the vicinity of the stomach are of particular concern. If these show signs of cancer cells, there is a possibility that the cancer has spread to other areas of the body. Masses found in the stomach or intestine as well as on the lymph nodes may be sampled via needle biopsy and tested.
Treatment and Prognosis
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It's likely that your vet will recommend surgery for the removal of any tumor masses. Ridding your dog's gastrointestinal system of obstructions will immediately improve his health. To make sure all the cancer cells are destroyed, chemotherapy is the next step, beginning seven days after surgery. According to The Dog Health Guide, canine intestinal cancer and stomach cancer is customarily advanced when it's finally discovered, making for an unhappy prognosis. Early discovery and prompt treatment can result in remission for up to two years.
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References
- Photo Credit Dog image by Jan Zajc from Fotolia.com
