Understanding Cancer in Your Dog
What are the most common types of cancer in dogs that you see?
We see a lot of skin cancer or soft tissue cancer, which are the lumps you see underneath the skin. We also deal with liver and GI types of cancer. Those are probably the most common.
What causes cancer in dogs?
Just like in people, we don't entirely know for sure. There are obviously many types of cancer, but it seems to be a combination of genetics and probably some environmental causes as well.
What are the signs of cancer in dogs?
It can vary. There are many types of cancers, and cancer can affect almost any organ or body part. With skin and soft tissue cancer, we typically see tumors or lumps under the skin. These are definitely something we always want to address. A lot of them are benign, but anytime you see a new lump on your pet, definitely let us know.
Other symptoms can range from weight loss to vomiting, and any array of symptoms based on where the cancer is.
What will a veterinarian do to diagnose my dog with cancer?
We start with an exam, which is how we find a lot of them. Sometimes we'll get clues based on changes in lab work. For example, if you have liver cancer, we may not see any symptoms or outward changes yet, but we may have increased liver values on your lab work. We can also see tumors and issues like that on X-rays, ultrasound, and other imaging tests.
If my dog has cancer, will they need to see a specialist?
Usually, if it's more advanced, we may refer you to a cancer specialist called an oncologist. We have several in Charlotte. A lot of skin tumors and soft tissue tumors we can deal with here, and often surgery is curative. It depends on the type of cancer and how aggressive it is.
What does a cancer diagnosis mean for my dog?
It depends on the type of cancer. Sometimes it means we have to deal with the tumor, and once that's addressed, they're cured. If it's more aggressive or advanced, it can mean sad news. It's hard to answer definitively because it varies so much depending on the type of cancer they have.
What is the prognosis for dogs with different types of cancer?
If it's a skin cancer or soft tissue cancer, the prognosis can be very good if it's caught early and removed completely. Other types of cancer, like osteosarcoma or bone cancer, often aren't found until they're advanced. Lymphoma and leukemias can do well with treatment for a while, but the prognosis is usually worse for these types.
What should I do if I notice any new bumps or lumps on my dog?
I would always schedule an appointment for that. We typically notate where they are, measure them, and usually start with cytology in the hospital. This means that you'll see us take a needle, poke the mass a few times, and then we'll look at those cells under the microscope.
We can typically tell if it's a cyst, if it's cancerous, or if it's fatty, and then decide what we need to do about it. Can we just watch it and see if it changes, or do we need to schedule surgery to remove it?
How is cancer in dogs treated?
It depends on the type of cancer. If it's operable, we can surgically remove it a lot of the time. If it's more invasive or a blood type cancer, such as lymphoma, we may need to refer you to an oncologist for chemotherapy, which involves using drugs or medications to treat it.
Some tumors are not operable and don't respond to chemotherapy; those may need radiation, and we have several radiation oncology clinics in Charlotte.
Is cancer treatment for dogs painful?
If they have surgery, it's temporarily uncomfortable, but we cover them with pain medications. Some cancers, like bone cancer or osteosarcoma, are painful, and we try hard to control that pain. If they have pancreatic, GI, or liver cancers, they can have visceral pain, but we've come a long way in predicting and treating that kind of pain.
Can cancer treatments affect my dog's long-term health?
Not as much. Most of the time, once they've gone through treatment, they have very few side effects from it. Usually, once they're in remission or cured, they feel fine. There are always exceptions, but for the most part, there aren't many long-term issues to deal with.
How can I manage my dog's pain and discomfort during cancer treatment?
You'll work closely with us or the oncologist to ensure they're comfortable. There are many different types of pain medications, especially for cancer-related pain, to address where the pain's coming from and how often they need it.
What is the success rate of cancer treatment for dogs?
For some cancers, we've come a long way. For example, lymphoma can respond well if treated by an oncologist with chemotherapy. Skin tumors and soft tissue tumors, if operable, can often be cured with surgery. It depends on when it's caught, how aggressively we can treat it, and the type of cancer.
What side effects can be caused by cancer treatments for dogs?
Often, diarrhea or GI side effects can be a problem. There are many medications to help with that, as well as GI upset and appetite changes.
They don't typically experience hair loss like humans do, but appetite changes and GI symptoms are common with chemotherapy, though not necessarily with other treatments.
If my dog has cancer, when should I put them down?
Just like with any illness, when we've reached our limit or their limit on treatment, and their quality of life is no longer good, it's fair to consider letting them go.
Unfortunately, finances may play a role, as cancer treatment can be expensive. It's not wrong to forgo treatment if finances are a concern. If their quality of life is not good and they're suffering, it's okay to make that decision. We have appointments called quality of life appointments, where we discuss with you, look at the pet, and determine the fairest time to make these decisions.
What does it mean for my dog to be in remission?
Some cancers, especially types of lymphoma and leukemia, can be treated with chemotherapy and are essentially gone for the short term. This doesn't mean they won't come back, but the symptoms are not present, and the cancer itself is no longer detectable.
Once treated and no longer detectable, your pet is considered to be in remission. However, these cancers are prone to recurring, and the remission period's length is sometimes unknown.
What should I do if my dog's cancer progresses or recurs?
After treatment, be extra vigilant for any symptoms. We will likely re-check exams, lab work, and X-rays more often, usually every 3 to 6 months. Watch for symptoms such as weight loss, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, or any new symptoms. Pay more attention than you might have before.
Any concerns, let us know. Schedule an exam if you're worried, and any new lump or bump should be brought to us for evaluation.
You’re never alone in caring for your pet’s health. At Central Providence Veterinary Hospital, our team is here to support you every step of the way. Call (704) 318-2228 or email [email protected] to connect with us today.