Due to the care of dogs, the increase in their life expectancy and advances in veterinary medicine, the tumor in dogs is now a much more common diagnosis than a few years ago, genetic factors, but also bad lifestyle habits, can be the causes.Because.
In this Animal Expert article we will talk about the most common types of tumors in dogs, the symptoms they cause and, in general, the most commonly used treatments to fight cancer.Read to learn more about the tumor in dogs: types, symptoms, and treatment.
- Before talking about tumors.
- It is necessary to consider some basic aspects to understand what cancer is in dogs: you can take a first approach by distinguishing which tumors can be detected externally.
- That is.
- That can be seen as lumps on or under the skin.
- From inside the body.
- While the former may be perceived by palpation or observation.
- The second type is usually in advanced stages.
- When the dog already has other symptoms.
- Such as weight loss.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Etc.
Tumors in dogs occur most often in middle-aged or older dogs, many of them, as we have already said, are likely to be detected in veterinary exams, so it is recommended to perform them at least once a year, especially at the age of seven.
The skin tumors of dogs have larger or smaller lumps as the main symptom, as we have already mentioned.We highlight the following types as the most common ones:
These are benign tumors with the appearance of warts, caused by the canine oral papillomavirus, are more common in older dogs and can be eliminated, however, depending on the location, they can be problematic.
These benign tumors are made up of fat cells, which are more common in overweight dogs, their appearance is rounded and smooth, they grow slowly and can reach considerable dimensions, there is a malignant variant called liposarcoma.
These tumors in dogs develop rapidly and can occur in young animals between 1 and 3 years of age, are considered small hairless elevations in the form of buttons, most disappear in a short time.
These are mast cell tumors (immune system cells), most common in brachycephalic breeds, such as Boxer and Bulldog, appear in older dogs and are malignant in about half of cases, usually present in the form of multinodular, hairless and reddish bumps.They are able to release substances that cause peptic ulcers.
They are linked to UV exposure and appear in less pigmented areas of the body, such as the abdomen, nose, or lips.
They appear in melanin-producing cells. These are dark nodules located in areas such as the eyelids or the mouth, where they are usually malignant.
These tumors in dogs are malignant and can have different origins, there are breeds predisposed to have them such as the German Shepherd, the Boxer and the Golden Retriever, can appear both on the skin and in the organs and we highlight the following as the most common:
They can be both malignant and benign. Among the first, as we have already said, stands out osteosarcoma, which can appear at any age, with greater predisposition in large dogs, these types of canine tumors appear most frequently in the front legs, but can also affect the back, ribs or jaws.Like symptoms of this type of tumor in dogs, you may notice that the dog limps and the leg is painfully inflamed, which usually spread to the lungs.
On the other hand, benign bone tumors include osteomas, head and face, and osteochondromes, which affect young dogs in ribs, vertebrae, limbs, etc.
The types of tumors in dogs that affect the reproductive system are
This type of cancer in dogs is most common in older men and occurs mainly when the testicles become trapped in the groin or abdomen, rather than descended into the scrotum.In such cases, castration is recommended as prevention and treatment.
TTV is a rare but contagious type of tumor by contact between dogs, both sexual and by bites, tongue bumps and scratches, has the appearance of cauliflower and, in addition to sexual organs, can appear on the face, mouth, nose, etc.Although they are not considered very virulent, they can metastasize.
They appear in older females, untraceted, cause the appearance of spots and cause the dog to urinate frequently and ings, you can also notice a mass coming out of the vulva, it is essential to go to the veterinarian to diagnose and treat the problem.
They are usually rare and almost always asymptomatic. There is an malignant variety that can be associated with ascites because it spreads through the abdominal cavity.
These tumors in dogs are very common, especially from the age of six, so sterilization is recommended, it is common to affect more than one breast and are detected by palpation, metastases usually appear in the lungs, which seriously aggravates the situation.that’s why you should see a specialist if you notice bumps in the dog’s breasts.
This cancer affects the blood components of the bone marrow, especially in middle-aged dogs, and produces nonspecific symptoms such as fever, anorexia, weight loss or anemia.
In this case, as well as in the rest of the tumors in the dog, blood tests, ultrasound, x-ray or CT scan are performed to reach the diagnosis, and the biopsy can confirm the diagnosis.
Throughout the article, we discuss the symptoms of tumors in dogs depending on the type of cancer they face, however, here we will review the most common symptoms in summary form:
As you can see, most of the symptoms are typical of many health problems, so it is not surprising that cancer detection takes time, so it is advisable to go to routine veterinary visits, since on these occasions the specialist will be able to quickly detect any abnormalities.In the next section, we’ll examine treatment options for tumors in dogs.
Currently there are several treatments to eliminate cancer in dogs, so if you are wondering how to treat tumors in dogs, you should first know that this is possible, but not in all cases, the best results are obtained by combining several methods, customizing the treatment and starting early.
Of all the existing treatments, the following stand out as the most effective:
As we said, it is important to note that not all tumors in dogs are curable, especially those that develop metastasis, so it is so crucial to go to the veterinarian before even noticing the symptoms, because early detection can make the difference between eliminating cancer or not.
Unfortunately, there is NO home remedy to cure cancer in dogs, in these cases it is best to follow the instructions of the veterinarian, who we recommend specialized in oncology, since it can tell you the life expectancy of the dog with cancer and the most appropriate treatment for the type of tumor, as well as the chances of recovery.
In addition, it is always more than recommended quality foods that help strengthen the dog’s immune system, likewise offer the dog all the love and support will make it more excited and, therefore, more willing to fight this disease, they will certainly be the best.remedies you can offer.
In addition to the above, relaxation exercises that keep the dog calm and calm, massages in the affected areas or foods with anticancer and immunostimulant properties help the immune system and help relieve symptoms.However, although they have anticancer activities, it is remembered that they do not dissolve the tumor, what they do is promote treatment, prevent its development and relieve symptoms.Again, the veterinarian will be responsible for indicating the best diet for the animal.
Most cells in the body reproduce throughout the life of the individual, this duplication results in the same cells, which will continue to perform the same function, this process is controlled by genes and any changes in them results in cells replicating at high speed forming masses.that eventually replace healthy cells. That’s how tumors are born in dogs.
The alterations responsible for these mutations are multiple, since genes can be activated or disabled by factors such as diet, stress and the environment, for example, in human medicine some carcinogens have been identified that increase the risk of cancer, for example ultraviolet rays are related to skin cancer, x-rays with the thyroid , tobacco with lung cancer, certain viruses with sarcoma, etc.In dogs we know that the appearance of breast tumors is linked to hormones in the sex cycle, so early sterilization has a protective effect.
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis.We suggest that you take your pet to the vet in case of any ailment or discomfort.
If you would like to read articles similar to Tumor in dogs: types, symptoms and treatment, we recommend that you visit our Other Health Problems section.