subject: Living with a Dog with Dog Cancer [print this page] Living with a Dog with Dog Cancer Living with a Dog with Dog Cancer
Here's a shocking statistic for you: almost half of all dogs over the age of ten will die due to a health problem that is cancer-related. Dog cancer is becoming a bigger and bigger problem by the year which is leaving owners with questions on how to intervene at a time where it is early enough to possibly cure it, and how to put a stop to it.
What is Dog Cancer?
Dog cancer, the most prominent of all dog diseases, is a disease in which the cells in your dog's body will grow and grow at an abnormal rate, so much so that lumps called "tumors" are often created. There are two types of tumors that may form:
Benign: These grow slowly and are removable
Malignant: Referred to as "aggressive", these tumors are not localized and spread throughout the body.
What actually causes the cells to suddenly kick into high gear and grow at such a fast rate is unknown, which is why it is all the more important for dog owners to be acutely aware of the signs of cancer.
Some Breeds are Worse Off than Others
Larger breeds tend to be affected by dog cancer a whole lot more often than the smaller breeds. Some of the breeds that are known to suffer from dog cancer more than others include:
Boxers
Bernese Mountain dogs
Golden Retrievers
Greyhounds
These breeds tend to suffer from a more fatal type of cancer too, bone cancer, which is almost always fatal. Though there is no concrete proof, it is thought there thee must be some sort of genetic susceptibility to having cancer.
How to Spot Dog Cancer
There are some signs that will definitely make both dog owners and veterinarian's suspect of dog cancer, apart from obviously noticing that the dogs health seems to be compromised. Some of these signs are:
Lumps and bumps appearing on the body (though a lump or bump alone does not mean "cancer")
If the lump or bump have changed in size or consistency
If your dog has issues urinating
Vomiting combined with diarrhea
If your dog has begun limping, if their gait has changed, or if they cry out when they bend to urinate (a sign of bone cancer)
Bad breath
Lethargy
An increase in water intake and, as a result, an increase in urination
