CANCER IN DOGS & CATS
Cancer can occur at any age . . . but becomes more likely as the years go by. It is the leading cause of death in senior dogs and cats, just as it is in older humans. Cancers can occur in almost any organ of the body. The symptoms vary depending on what organs are involved.
Tumors (lumps) may be found by you, or by your pet's doctor during a physical examination. A biopsy, in which tissue from a tumor is sent to a laboratory for analysis by a pathology specialist, is the only way to make an absolute diagnosis of the type and degree of malignancy of a particular tumor. There are no specific blood tests for any cancers in dogs and cats, although changes suggestive of cancer may show up on blood tests.
Removal of the tumor, when possible, is sometimes curative, but chemotherapy and radiation therapy are available either at your pet’s regular clinic or at referral institutions, such as veterinary schools, should they be necessary. Some types of cancer are much more treatable than others. Skin tumors, for example, can often be removed easily, whereas a tumor located on the heart or lung is much more difficult.
Many tumors are benign - non-cancerous. Some examples of these are lipomas (fatty tumors), warts, perianal adenomas and histiocytomas. These types of tumors are usually not dangerous and surgical removal is curative.
A common tumor of older cats is a benign thyroid nodule. These tumors produce thyroid hormones, which tell the cat’s metabolism to speed up. Weight loss, ravenous appetite, restlessness, hyperactivity, increased vocalizations (meowing louder or more often), dry skin and coat and frequent digestive upsets are some of the symptoms seen with this disease. Medication, surgery or radiation treatments can all be used to treat the disease. Radiation treatment is safe, simple and 96% effective.
Other common forms of cancer seen in pets include: osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer usually seen in large breed dogs; hemangiosarcoma, a cancer that arises from blood vessels and frequently affects the liver or spleen; lymphoma, a cancer of white blood cells that responds well to chemotherapy in dogs; squamous cell carcinoma, a common malignancy in the mouth; mammary tumors, or breast cancer, seen almost exclusively in unsprayed female pets; and prostate cancer, seen almost exclusively in unneutered male dogs.
Lumpectomies, or tumor removals, are one of the most common surgeries veterinarians perform. The smaller the lump, the better the prognosis for recovery and the less chance to allow cancer to spread. Notify your veterinarian right away if you notice a lump on your pet.
Here are some other signs to watch for:
1. Change of bowel or bladder habits: Diarrhea or constipation, straining to urinate or defecate, blood or mucous in the stool or urine.
2. A sore that does not heal: Some skin cancers don't appear as lumps, but as raw, bleeding or scabby areas.
3. Unusual bleeding or discharge: Bleeding from the mouth, ears, or nose may signal a tumor inside.
4. Drooling or difficulty swallowing: Very common with tumors in the mouth or throat.
5. Changes in respiration: Nagging cough, hoarseness, tiring easily, rapid breathing or excessive panting, all are signs of heart and lung disease.
6. Abdominal distension or filling: A mass in the abdominal cavity may make your pet appear to be bloated or to have gained weight. This is especially worrisome if your pet looks thin otherwise.
7. Unexplained weight loss.
8. Changes in behavior, temperament, activity level or habits.
All these signs can be symptoms of other diseases as well. Call your veterinary clinic right away if you notice any changes in your pet.
