Cancer in dogs: symptoms and treatment. Oncological diseases of dogs How long do dogs with carcinoma live

Deadly diseases spare neither us nor our pets. Cancer, one of the most dangerous diseases, has recently become increasingly common in dogs. This is due to poor ecology, malnutrition and poor heredity in our four-legged friends.

However, no matter what causes the disease, the owner has a chance to prolong the life of the animal if the disease is noticed in time. Unfortunately, cancer is a very insidious disease. Often it proceeds hidden and does not declare itself in any way until it is too late to treat. However, there are some signs that can let the owner know that something is wrong with the dog. Individually, they may not mean anything serious, but if you notice several symptoms in your pet at once, show it to the veterinarian without delay.

What is cancer

In fact, the disease that our four-legged pets suffer from is no different from human pathology. First of all, it is worth knowing that cancer is a non-contagious disease that occurs at the DNA level. Mutations occur in one or more cells, as a result of which the cells "forget" their duties and begin to divide uncontrollably. Gradually, they fill the entire organ with themselves, forming a tumor, and penetrate further, forming metastases throughout the body.

"Wrong" cells not only prevent the organ from working properly, but also squeeze neighboring tissues, inhibiting their functioning. As cancer cells die, they decompose, causing necrosis, internal bleeding, fistulas, and other non-healing areas.

Most often, cancer cells are formed in older dogs, but in recent years, oncology has been increasingly diagnosed in very young animals.

Signs of cancer

Despite the fact that the pathology is quite serious, most types of cancer can be cured or put into remission - a period when the tumor stops growing and does not bother the animal. The chances of this are high if the cancer is detected at an early stage. Of course, a professional should make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment - it is better if it is a veterinary oncologist, and not an ordinary general practitioner. But the owner should still be able to recognize the first signs of cancer and immediately consult a doctor. You, like no one else, know your four-legged friend and are better than any analysis able to notice that something is wrong with him.

What are the first symptoms to look out for?

• Laziness, drowsiness. Have you noticed that your restless pet spends more and more time half asleep? Refusal from normal physical activity and laziness are among the most common causes of canine malaise. It is quite possible that everything is not so scary, and your pet will have a banal beriberi or low, but it will not hurt to take tests, noticing the drowsiness of the animal.
• Subcutaneous neoplasms. Check your dog regularly for any bumps or bumps under the skin. Such examinations are especially relevant for long-haired dogs. Most often, neoplasms appear on the muzzle or behind the ears, as well as on the back, shoulder blades or in the mammary glands in bitches.
• Bad breath. Experienced veterinarians say that each disease has its own specific aroma. Cancers smell like rot. Moreover, the stench is often heard not only from the mouth, but also from the nose of the animal.
• Lack of appetite. It is necessary to distinguish between the dog's unwillingness to eat not very attractive food and the complete refusal of food. In order to find out what is more, stubbornness or problems, in your pet's unwillingness to eat, simply offer him his favorite treat. A healthy non-hungry dog ​​will gladly eat the offered treat, a sick dog will accept the food with reluctance or even turn his face away.
• Rapid weight loss. The dog's body is designed in such a way that until the last moment it does not allow the symptoms of the disease to manifest itself. Your pet's appetite and activity may have remained the same, but you should be wary that on a normal diet, your dog is fast and looks haggard.
• Heavy breathing and cough. Constant shortness of breath and debilitating can be signs of lung cancer in dogs. Often, such a cough is accompanied by expectoration of mucous or bloody discharge that has an unpleasant odor.
• Pale mucous membranes. Bright pink gums are one of the main signs of your dog's health. The reason that the mucous membranes turn pale is considered to be blood loss and a general decrease in immunity in a sick animal. White gums can also be accompanied by bleeding and the formation of small non-healing wounds.
• Regular nausea and vomiting. Vomiting for no reason is another common symptom of cancer. This symptom is explained by the general intoxication of the body, poisoned by the vital activity of cancer cells.
• Sudden lameness. When you notice that your pet is protecting its leg while walking, be sure to feel the limb. If you have not found any signs of dislocation or, provide your pet with a gentle exercise routine and watch him for a week. The usual sprain will go away in a few days. An attentive owner should be alerted for a long time not passing or returning.
• Slow healing wounds. The appearance of small rotting sores on the body or scratches that take longer to heal than usual are also possible signs of cancer.

Diagnosis of the disease

In order to notice and defeat the disease in time, it is not enough just to observe the pet. Any change in behavior or physical performance should be cause for immediate veterinary attention. How can a doctor help? He carefully examines the animal and, perhaps, notices signs that have eluded even the owner's attentive gaze.

The second - will prescribe the necessary tests. First, standard - general and biochemical, and then, if you notice changes in certain indicators, special - to identify onco-markers that confirm the presence of cancer cells.

Diagnosing cancer is a rather complicated process, therefore, in addition to tests, the doctor will conduct many different examinations - from ultrasound and fluorography to gastroscopy and MRI. If breast cancer is suspected, your doctor will suggest that you undergo a mammogram, a special X-ray of the breast that shows the presence of a cancerous tumor at an early stage.

When a tumor is found, the doctor will take a small piece of tissue (puncture) and send it for cell analysis. This will help determine the benign or malignant neoplasm, as well as the stage of development of the disease.

Treatment and prevention

The traditional methods of treating malignant tumors are chemo and radiation therapy. This allows you to destroy cancer cells, preventing them from spreading further. After that, if possible, the neoplasm is removed, and the animal's body is supported in every possible way with the help of immunostimulants and hepaprotectors.

In each case, the scheme of such treatment is selected individually, which is why you should not treat a dog using the Internet or the advice of neighbors who claim that such treatment has helped another animal.

Many owners are interested in whether it is possible to treat a pet with folk methods? Veterinary professionals do not prohibit the use if it is used along with official treatments. The most popular herbal preparations used to stop tumor growth are the ASD fraction and a special onco-collection, consisting of plants that suppress the growth of the neoplasm. Often, homeopathic medicines are also used, which include toxic components. Most often it is tarantula poison or an extract of poisonous mushrooms. Despite the good reviews about these drugs, we recommend that you do not decide to take them yourself without first consulting a specialist about the effectiveness and doses.

In order to prevent the occurrence of cancer of the uterus and ovaries, as well as the appearance, veterinarians advise spaying a dog that is not of breeding value. Carrying out such an operation before the first estrus reduces the risk of tumors by more than 90%.

A disease such as cancer can be not only in humans. It is also diagnosed in animals. For example, cancer in dogs is found quite often. There are statistics, based on which, in females, this disease occurs more often than in males. As a rule, this disease occurs in animals whose age is more than 10 years.

Description of the disease

Cancer in dogs is not much different from cancer in humans. The essence of this disease is that the cells begin to mutate. There is a theory that disease occurs as a result of a change in one cell in the body. Then it begins to divide, and the infected area spreads. If the disease is not diagnosed in time, then large groups of modified cells are formed. Further, tumors and metastases form.

If an animal has a disease such as breast cancer, then metastases can spread to bone tissue and lungs.

Gradually, there are more and more infected cells, tumors stop the normal functioning of the organs of the animal's body. They also interfere with the proper functioning of neighboring organs. The next stage in the development of the disease is the decomposition of tumors. This process is characterized by bleeding. From all of the above, the general condition of the dog worsens.

Dogs can have cancer in any part of the body. Mostly old animals are susceptible to the disease. But there are cases of cancer in young dogs. It should be said that cancer is a general characteristic of a disease. Mutation of cells can affect different organs and have its own variety in each individual case. Therefore, a person will not be able to cure cancer in a dog on his own. Home treatment can relieve certain symptoms of the disease. In order to provide significant assistance to the animal, you must contact a veterinarian.

Early diagnosis increases chances of recovery

It should be said that the earlier cancer is detected in a dog (whose photo does not cause positive emotions in anyone), the greater the chances of her recovery. Also, pet owners need to know that there are highly specialized veterinarians who deal with oncological diseases. Therefore, it would be advisable to treat the cancer of the animal by a veterinary oncologist.

It is impossible to predict how long a dog can live with cancer. Since there are many factors that affect this circumstance. First, the age of the dog plays a role. Secondly, an important factor is the stage at which the disease is diagnosed.

If infected cells spread slowly and cancer is detected at the initial stage of the disease, then timely assistance to the animal will ensure its further long life. It also matters which organ is affected by malignant cells. In some cases, surgery may be performed to remove the tumor. Possible treatment options and prognosis for recovery can be determined by a veterinarian after a thorough diagnosis of the dog.

How does the disease manifest itself?

The main problem of diagnosing oncological diseases is that at the initial stage they pass without any signs. The only way to detect cancer is through testing. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly visit the veterinarian with the dog for this. The main tests that will help detect cancer cells are blood and urine tests for biochemistry.

Pet owners should remember that the treatment of the disease is possible only at an early stage of detection. In the event that the distribution is running, not a single veterinarian will help.

More prone to disease bitches

Cancer is common in bitches. This is due to unstable hormonal levels during estrus, childbirth and in the postpartum period. Veterinarians recommend neutering the dog to prevent cancer in the bitch. Especially in cases where the distribution of offspring is not planned.

If the dog gives birth, then after 8 years, when breeding work ends, the animal must also be sterilized. This procedure will protect the dog from this disease.

Cancer in a dog: symptoms and types

Now consider the popular types:

1. Oncological disease of the mammary glands in bitches. can be detected at an early stage. To identify it, the owner of the dog needs to monitor the nipples. Signs of cancer may show up as bumps or lumps on the nipples. They can be detected by feeling the mammary glands. It is also recommended to show the dog to the veterinarian. If the disease progresses and no treatment measures have been taken, then the tumors will be visible visually, and the nipples will also change color. If the tumor is damaged, bleeding will occur.

2. Oncological disease of the dog's uterus. This one is harder to diagnose. Bleeding is a sign of infection. But they can also be the result of other diseases. With uterine cancer, the bitch miscarries or gives birth to dead puppies. The cause of this disease may be drugs, which include hormones. Moreover, cancer cells can appear after one dose of such a remedy.

3. Another cancer risk group are dogs of large breeds. It is almost impossible to visually determine that an animal has cancer. In large dogs, the disease sometimes affects the bones. A sign that an animal has cancer can be changes in walking and running. When these symptoms appear, you should show the dog to a specialist.

4. Oncological diseases of the stomach and intestines can be determined by violations of the body. Namely, a change in stool, vomiting, smell from the mouth. It is necessary to pay attention to the dog's feces. See if there is any discharge in it, such as blood. They will be another sign that the dog has cancer. stomach following - weight loss and appetite.

5. Skin cancer can also be diagnosed. Spotting skin cancer in dogs can be difficult. Especially in animals that have abundant hair. Therefore, it is recommended to regularly examine the dog's skin. It is best to do this while bathing or combing. Oncological skin disease is manifested by the formation of dark spots or seals on it. The color of the spots can vary from red to dark brown.

6. Cancer of the liver in dogs. When the liver is damaged by cancer cells, the mucous membranes of the animal turn yellow. This is due to the fact that bile enters the bloodstream. The consistency of metabolic products also changes. With the spread of cancer cells in the liver and it constantly vomits.

7. Cancer This disease begins with a cough. With further progression, it intensifies, expectoration begins, in which blood secretions and pus are present in saliva.

8. Cancer cells also affect the spleen in dogs. But this type of disease is rare. There are no obvious signs indicating the occurrence of this disease. Usually, the animal shows a deterioration in the general condition, lethargy, apathy, and so on.

9. Cancer of the kidney. It can be difficult to notice kidney cancer, there are practically no external manifestations, especially at an early stage of the disease. At a later stage of the progression of the disease, blood appears in the urine. Also, the dog begins colic, and she whines. The dog's gait undergoes changes due to pain.

Diagnosis

What are the ways to detect cancer in a dog? There is a theory that dogs feel the presence of infected cells in the human body. Allegedly, they can determine by smell whether a person has cancer or not. Perhaps they really manage to feel the oncological disease in the human body.

But for ourselves, it's harder to do that. There is a possibility that dogs feel that their body is infected with malignant cells. But, unfortunately, they cannot inform their owner about this fact.

Diagnostic methods

The main method of detecting the disease at an early stage of dog cancer is a visit to the veterinarian and testing. The doctor orders the animal to donate blood and urine. Based on the results of the tests, namely the presence of any changes in the blood or urine, the veterinarian prescribes repeated laboratory tests for a deeper study.

Then, depending on which organ is suspected of being affected by malignant cells, a further examination is carried out. Namely, computer diagnostics of a specific organ is assigned. It can be done through ultrasound, MRI and other methods. When a tumor is found, the veterinarian takes a puncture of the tissue in order to determine whether it is malignant or not.

Treatment

It should be said that the treatment of cancer in dogs must be entrusted to a specialist. You should not self-medicate or listen to any people who do not have special education and proper qualifications in this area.

Self-medication is not recommended due to the fact that the disease is individual in nature, for example, there is squamous cell carcinoma in dogs. Many have not heard of this. Only a veterinarian can identify the features of the disease, based on the results of tests and other studies.

Chemotherapy is used to treat malignant cells in dogs. The next step is to remove the tumor. It is not possible to do this in all cases of the disease. For example, if the brain is affected, then surgery cannot be done. If the operation to remove the tumor has taken place, then a second session of chemotherapy is prescribed.

Nutrition for Cancer

It is necessary to provide the dog with proper nutrition. The diet should not include spicy and fatty foods. Such a diet should be maintained for a long time. It should be said that fatty foods are not recommended for consumption by a healthy pet.

It must be remembered that during the rehabilitation period it is necessary to create favorable conditions for the dog. Namely, to ensure regular walking and cleanliness. It is necessary to ensure that the dog does not come into contact with stray animals, since the body is weakened after the course of treatment and it will be better to exclude any sources of infection.

put to sleep

There are times when cancer in dogs progresses very quickly and the treatment provided does not give positive results. In this case, the owner of the animal should consider putting him to sleep, as this option will save him from suffering.

If a person sees that the ongoing treatment does not alleviate the suffering of the animal, then he is recommended to talk with the veterinarian about whether it is worth continuing, whether there is a chance that the dog will recover. If the attending veterinarian says that the chances of the dog are zero, then the best way out of the situation is to euthanize the pet.

Thus, the owner of the animal will save him from excruciating pain. If death is inevitable due to cancer and the dog is suffering, then euthanasia should be resorted to.

Seek another specialist

There is an option that the veterinarian cannot help the animal, and the owner of the dog is confident in her recovery. Then it is recommended to contact another specialist. Perhaps he will select a different treatment regimen, and the dog will get better.

Conclusion

Now you know how cancer in dogs manifests itself. We have described the symptoms and treatments. Unfortunately, this disease is very serious. Therefore, if you suspect that the animal has cancer, then immediately contact a qualified specialist.

Oncological diseases are quite deservedly considered the scourge of mankind in the last few decades. But cancer is not only a "privilege" of people. They also hurt our pets. Veterinarians estimate that cancer in dogs today can be detected in almost 60% of older dogs. This is largely due to both unsatisfactory environmental conditions and poor-quality feeding, and a general increase in the life expectancy of animals. Previously, they lived much less often to such a “venerable” age, and therefore much fewer cases of cancer were recorded. Because of this, veterinary oncology has experienced a real “boom” in recent years; many innovative methods of treatment have been tested and created.

Alas, there are still no 100% guarantees of recovery from cancer. This applies to both humans and animals. Too much depends on the characteristics of a particular type of oncology, the state of the dog's body, and simply on the luck of the latter. Not all owners notice in time that something is wrong with their pet, and therefore they turn to the veterinarian too late. Please note that Cancer is a malignant type of tumor, most of which metastasize. If the neoplasm is too large, even surgery may be useless: a long course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy will be required, and there is no guarantee that the doctor will be able to destroy all the "processes" of the decayed tumor.

Oddly enough, but many owners know about oncology, but they don’t even approximately understand what lies behind this term. So. Cancer is uncontrolled, “meaningless” and inadequate cell division (which often turn into ugly and non-viable formations). Since cancerous tissues grow at an inadequate rate, they require a lot of nutrients and oxygen. They “steal” all this from normal cells and organs, as a result of which the body has a very difficult time: exhaustion and hypoxia develop. In addition, the "manic" layers of cells sooner or later begin to break down. The tumor, in fact, resembles a rotten potato: the upper layers look and function normally (as far as the word “norm” is generally applicable to this situation), while in its depth the tissues die and rot en masse.

Remember that "treatment" with folk remedies only delays time and worsens the course of the disease. Don't practice it!

Especially "remarkable" is the fact that in the thickness of the neoplasm there are many vessels and nerves. The processes of its destruction lead to the development of a strong pain reaction and generalized intoxication of the body. It is even worse when detached pieces of the tumor are spread throughout the body along with the blood stream (this is called metastasis). When such a piece settles somewhere in tissues or organs, a new tumor soon grows out of it.

Clinical picture

Signs of cancer in a dog largely depend on where exactly the tumor originated. For example, a tumor in the brain almost inevitably leads to serious changes in the behavior of the animal, bone lesions lead to severe lameness, and so on. In general, even a veterinarian with experience “by eye” is unlikely to be able to determine the first stages of cancer, since initially there are either no signs of something wrong, or the clinical picture is very blurred.

But still, the general symptoms can be distinguished:

• First, the animal begins to weaken. This happens gradually and not too clearly, but in the end the owners notice that their dog gets tired quickly and does not run so happily for a walk. More precisely, after a while the pet stops running altogether, limiting itself to “lazy” walking around the site.
• If the tumor is located somewhere outside, in some cases it can still be seen with the naked eye. So, with the development of melanocarcinomas, unusual-looking birthmarks on the skin are noticeable, and the appearance of various warts and strange-looking growths is also possible. But still, this rarely happens.
• The dog begins to sleep worse, as the developing tumor hurts. Appetite worsens, but even in cases where the dog eats normally, he develops progressive exhaustion.

As it is easy to guess it is impossible to determine cancer in a dog, guided by external signs alone. It may well be that your pet has some kind of infectious disease. So veterinarians do not just advise bringing pets for examination at least once a quarter. This measure may well save your pet's life.

Diagnostic methods

Diagnosing cancer is not an easy process. First, the veterinarian needs to make sure that the animal really has a malignant tumor. If a suspicious neoplasm lies superficially, then everything is relatively simple - a tissue sample is taken and sent for histological examination. In cases where a presumably malignant neoplasm lies somewhere in the internal organs, everything becomes much more complicated. First, it is necessary to determine the localization of the tumor as accurately as possible. For this purpose, they resort to the help of X-ray examination and ultrasound.

Subsequently, it is necessary to resolve the issue of how exactly to take a tissue sample (and without this it is impossible to make a diagnosis of cancer in any case). As a rule, the tumor can be reached with a long aspiration needle (sometimes even local anesthesia can be dispensed with), but in difficult cases to do diagnostic abdominal operations. And this is for the sake of a small piece of the tumor! In general, in veterinary oncology (if possible) they try to carry out treatment without surgery (through radio or chemotherapy), so this surgical intervention may be the only one.

Overview of Chemotherapy

Apart from surgical methods of cancer treatment, the most common method can be deservedly considered chemotherapy. Its meaning lies in the fact that in the body of an animal (usually intravenously) substances are introduced that inhibit the development of rapidly dividing cells (including cancer cells).

How are chemotherapy drugs administered to an animal? In most cases - exclusively intravenously. And this should be done very carefully, since when these drugs enter the subcutaneous tissue, severe inflammation may develop, and it can subsequently cause either an impressive abscess, or even “mutate” into something like phlegmon. Some types of drugs are available in oral versions.

There is just one problem - it so happened that veterinary oncology in dogs is, of course, not in its infancy, but very close to it. How your dog will react to the introduction of a particular drug is a lottery, comparable in intensity to Russian roulette. Therefore, drugs should be tested, starting with extremely small doses. Finally, the drugs used for chemotherapy by themselves are also not very useful for human health, and therefore you should treat your pet by carefully observing at least the simplest personal hygiene measures.

In addition, there are extremely rare situations when it is possible to cure cancer in dogs by prescribing only one drug. Much more effective is the use of their combinations. With proper formulation of mixtures, you can not only significantly improve the quality of treatment, but also stop some side effects. But still, this is a difficult question. Only an experienced veterinary oncologist should make a decision on the appointment of a particular drug.

Radiotherapy: general information

In veterinary medicine, radiation therapy was first tested in the early twentieth century. In just 50 years, major advances have been made in this area of ​​treatment. This is largely due to the emergence of new diagnostic techniques that allow you to accurately identify the location of the tumor. In addition, the new equipment makes it possible to direct the flow of radio emission precisely to the neoplasm, minimizing the consequences for normal organs and tissues. Radiation therapy is believed to help treat almost all types of cancer in dogs, including tumors that are physically impossible to reach with surgery.

The essence and types of radiotherapy

As the name implies, the essence of radiotherapy is to irradiate the tumor with gamma radiation. It is known that the latter destroys the DNA of cells and blocks their ability to divide. If the therapy is carried out qualitatively and on time, the tumor begins to gradually shrink until it completely disappears. Of course, it is impossible to completely exclude the effects of radiation on normal cells, but still, modern methods of treatment in this regard are much more “humane” than those used just a few years ago, it is no longer necessary to euthanize animals due to severe side effects.

To put it simply, the essence of radiotherapy is the radiation exposure of the tumor. The modern medical industry greatly facilitates the work of physicians and veterinarians. Today, many programmable units are being produced that can smoothly change the intensity of radiation, as a result of which the effectiveness of treatment increases markedly.

Let's immediately dispel a common misconception: at the end of treatment, your dog will not begin to glow in the dark and will not become radioactive. Radiotherapy involves the use of only gamma radiation, particles of which do not linger in the body.

What types of radiation therapy are used in veterinary medicine today? A lot of. As a rule, their classification depends on the type of radioactive materials used and their tendency to settle in specific organs and tissues. In particular, the iodine isotope is always deposited in the thyroid gland, and therefore it is used in oncological lesions of the latter. In addition, in recent years, a technique involving the introduction of radioactive implants into the thickness of the tumor has become more and more common. For this purpose, the isotope of iridium 192 is usually used. Sometimes (including for the sake of saving an expensive isotope), a small amount of radioactive suspension is injected into the tumor. In dogs, by the way, the latter technique has proven itself in the elimination of tumors in the nasal cavity.

What types of tumors are treated with radiotherapy? Neoplasms in the oral and nasal cavities lend themselves especially well to it. There are many cases when only with the help of radiotherapy it was possible to eliminate brain tumors (or significantly increase the life expectancy of a sick pet). In addition, radiotherapy is indispensable in curing a dog from skin cancer. Lymphomas also lend themselves well to this method of treatment, but only in cases where chemotherapy is additionally prescribed. The same applies to sarcomas, especially osteogenic ones. Finally, before starting a course of radiotherapy, several factors must be taken into account:

• The financial resources of the owner of the animal, since the technique itself does not belong to the category of “budget pleasures”.
• The presence of some contraindications, which include the extreme degree of exhaustion, which often develops in animals with severe exhaustion.
• The type of tumor, the possibility of its removal by surgery, the likelihood of metastases.
• Whether chemotherapy has already been carried out, and how the animal's body reacted to it.
• It is also necessary to calculate in advance what dose of radiation will be relatively safe for the animal, taking into account the breed, weight, and physiological state of it.

Irradiation technique

During the procedure, the animal must be carefully immobilized to completely exclude anything other than the tumor tissue from being exposed to the radiation beam. As we already wrote, it is first necessary to accurately determine the location of the latter. In the ideal case, it is desirable to use MRI rather than X-ray and ultrasound for this (but this technique is practically not used in domestic veterinary medicine due to its high cost). After the pet is fixed, the equipment is aimed at the tumor. For the convenience of subsequent procedures, tattoos are sometimes even applied to the skin of an animal, simplifying “orientation”. The exposure time is on average 30-60 minutes (during the first treatment). All subsequent procedures are much faster - it takes no more than 10-15 minutes.

What is the processing frequency? If they are used to treat acute cancer, the average duration of therapy varies from two to five weeks (daily). This depends on the location of the tumor, the general health of the pet, and the type of cancer. In cases where it is necessary to maintain an acceptable quality of life of the pet in hopeless cases, treatment of the tumor is indicated for three weeks, daily, with the duration of each exposure of about 20 minutes.

Side effects and risks

Radiotherapy, unlike traditional "chemical" treatments, is much safer. Severe side effects are observed in less than 5% of animals. “Side effects” are related to the fact that during the procedure some part of the normal cells and tissues of the body suffers. This is inevitable, but the reaction to such troubles depends entirely on the characteristics of a particular canine organism.

But the most typical are cases of wounds and ulcers. In addition, sometimes in a "treated" dog, hyperpigmentation appears on the skin that has undergone irradiation (as if the animal had been in a solarium). These places are often irritated and itchy, which is why the pet begins to itch constantly. Treatment involves the appointment of drugs that relieve itching (even a simple diphenhydramine helps well). In addition, in areas that have been exposed to radiation, the hair falls out completely. Over time, it grows back, but the "fresh" hairs differ from the old wool in a darker color and increased stiffness.

Types of oncology and clinical picture

And now let's look at the most common types of oncology, more or less regularly detected in dogs in everyday veterinary practice.

Oncology of the mammary glands

Breast cancer is relatively common in bitches aged eight to ten years who have given birth multiple times. It is not for nothing that veterinarians advise owners of animals that are not of particular breeding value to immediately remove the ovaries to the pet before the first sexual hunt. In this case, the likelihood of breast cancer is reduced to almost zero. As a rule, in dogs, the mammary glands are affected by adenocarcinomas. And this is very bad, since these tumors are characterized by aggressive behavior and quickly spread throughout the body.

The clinical picture is relatively characteristic:

• Specific “peas” appear in the thickness of the mammary glands (which is well felt on palpation). Their consistency varies from pasty (rarely) to "stony".
• Neoplasms can be painful, the animal reacts sharply to attempts to probe them.
• With breast cancer, it often turns out that the tumor has opened, pus oozes out of it with pieces of dead tissue.

Oncology of the CNS

The least explored category. The main type of tumor is gliosarcoma. As a rule, brain cancer leads to severe behavioral changes, seizures, disorientation in space, paresis and paralysis. It usually appears posthumously.

blood oncology

The most famous blood cancer is leukemia. With this disease, a huge number of immature forms of leukocytes appear in the general bloodstream. The disease is characterized by gradual depletion and extinction of the animal. Fortunately, it is easily detected through a simple blood test.

Oncology of the uterus

Immediately after the previous one, uterine cancer should be described, since it develops in the same cases and in the same dogs (older and already giving birth). It should be noted that this pathology is a frequent scourge of breeding bitches, which were injected with hormonal preparations to stimulate estrus. The main types of tumors in this case are leukosarcomas.

Symptoms are as follows:

Purulent exudate flows from the external genital organs, in which it is easy to notice pieces of decayed tissues. Sometimes the nature of exudative outflows is necrotic, ichorous, and a suffocating putrid odor emanates from them.
Since uterine tumors often grow to phenomenally large sizes, the dog's abdomen also becomes enlarged and may sag.
In advanced cases, a huge tumor can be easily detected by palpation of the abdominal cavity.

Cancers of the digestive system

Consider gastric cancer first, as it is relatively common in dogs. Characteristic varieties of neoplasms are: mastocytomas, adenocarcinomas and lymphomas. Often they are the result of improper and poor-quality feeding.

This type of oncology manifests itself as follows:

• First, the animal develops chronic digestive problems. Diarrhea alternates with constipation and vice versa, vomiting is also possible.
• Due to disturbances in the functioning of the stomach, exhaustion quickly develops.
• In the feces, you can often see melena - a black, tar-like mass, which is a semi-digested blood.

Intestinal cancer manifests itself in a similar way, but in this case, melena in the feces is rare. It is “replaced” by pure blood, which has not had time to be digested. Be that as it may, but oncological diseases of both the stomach and intestines are fraught with sudden perforation of the walls of the organ, which can cause the animal to die either from diffuse fecal peritonitis, or from massive internal bleeding.

Cancers of the jaws

Jaw cancer is relatively common in dogs. A characteristic type of neoplasm is chondrosarcoma and osteosarcoma. The appearance of the disease can be judged by the presence of the following clinical signs in your pet:

• Tuberculous outgrowths appear on the surface of the bone tissue (which is easily detected by palpation).
• The dog does not eat well, because the process of chewing causes him severe pain. Because of this, the animal quickly loses weight.
• In the most severe cases, the bone tissue is completely destroyed and easily pressed through with a finger.

liver cancer

As a rule, liver cancer is almost always secondary (that is, it develops from brought metastases), and therefore the main type of tumors are adenocarcinomas (more precisely, hepatocarcinomas). It is difficult to identify this type of oncology, since the symptoms are also characteristic of dozens of other liver diseases:

• Jaundice of all visible mucous membranes and skin.
• Pain on palpation of the right hypochondrium.
• Feces are sticky and greasy, which is associated with poor digestion of lipids.

Skin cancers

Since the skin of the animal is constantly in control with the external environment, the likelihood of getting carcinogenic substances on it is quite high. If this happens, skin cancer may develop. The main types of tumors in dogs are melanomas and carcinomas.

Symptoms are as follows:

• On the surface of the skin, strange, unusual formations may appear in the form of large birthmarks of a “torn” shape. Their surface can be either smooth or bumpy, uneven.
• In these places, the appearance of cracks, ulcers, and other disturbing violations of the integrity of the skin is also possible. They itch, itch, bleed (usually this is how squamous cell carcinoma manifests itself). Because of the “scabies”, the dog constantly rubs and rubs the areas of the skin that disturb him, which causes the seeding of these places with pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microflora, the ulcers begin to fester.
• Sites of tumor development can be very painful on palpation.

Cancers of the lungs

Lung cancer is a common disease of dogs living in modern megacities, since the air there is far from perfect. The main type of tumor is adenocarcinoma.

Symptoms appear like this:

• Persistent bronchitis, cough, other signs of respiratory diseases.
• As the tumor grows and develops, it becomes increasingly difficult for the dog to breathe, and the animal often wheezes and chokes.

Oncology of the bladder

In general, bladder cancer is more common in cats, but can also occur in dogs. Adenocarcinomas and simple carcinomas rule the ball. Both types of tumors are aggressive, prone to rapid spread through metastasis.

The disease does not manifest itself in the most characteristic way:

• If the neoplasm has arisen near the urethral canal, the dog begins to experience serious difficulties with urination.
• There is blood in the urine.
• When probing the abdominal pelvic cavity, a large, swollen bladder is revealed.

Cancers of the reproductive system in males

Prostate cancer is common in older males. The usual type of tumors developing in this case is adenocarcinoma, which is why the disease is very difficult, and the percentage of deaths is high.

Symptoms are characterized by the following:

• Prostate cancer causes infertility and deterioration of sexual function.
• The genital area becomes painful.

Testicular cancer is more evident. The testicles noticeably increase in size, become very dense and extremely painful.

Oncology of the spleen

Spleen cancer in dogs is poorly understood. The main types of tumors are fibrosarcomas and lymphosarcomas. The symptoms are extremely blurred: lack of appetite, poor condition of the animal, increased overall body temperature. Often the disease is detected already by the results of the autopsy.

Oncological diseases are one of the most complex and mysterious diseases of “civilization”. These are malignant tumors, which are popularly called.

Causes and localization of oncological diseases

The occurrence of these diseases is influenced by different factors: the region of residence, the breed and age of the dog. The connection of environmental factors with the incidence of tumors has long been noticed. What was traced on the examples of the cities of Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Chernobyl.

Modern oncologists adhere to the multicausal hypothesis of the occurrence of tumors. The main reasons are: genetic predisposition, reduced body immunity, prolonged tissue irritation by chemical, physical and biological agents, chronic ulcers, inflammation, cracks. Also dangerous are some viruses, various sources of radiation and food contamination with mycotoxins.

With regard to breed predisposition, it has been noticed that shepherd dogs and boxers are more likely to suffer from lymphosarcomatosis and leukemia than dogs of other breeds. In northern Europe and the United States, leukemia is more common in cocker spaniels, fox terriers, and poodles.

In general, in dogs of any breed, skin and mammary gland cancer most often occurs (especially in 5-6-year-old females who have not given birth). Dogs of large breeds are especially susceptible to them: Caucasian and St. Bernards. Extremely rare cancer of the digestive tract.

Cancer symptoms in dogs

Symptoms of cancer largely depend on the affected organ. Neoplasms can be palpated in these places. However, not every tumor can be seen. However, there are also general signs that something is wrong with the dog's body.

In the presence of skin cancer, non-healing ulcers appear on the body of the animal. With problems in the digestive and excretory system, she may experience an unpleasant smell from the mouth, chronic diarrhea or vomiting. There may be problems with urination and defecation, swallowing.

If the respiratory organs are affected, the dog may cough and have difficulty breathing, bleeding will appear from the mouth. With problems with the joints, she begins to limp, there is a strong stiffness in her movements.

Also a common symptom is a lack of appetite and a sharp weight loss.

• The main methods of cancer treatment are surgical removal, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, as well as immunotherapy.
• The operation removes the tumor itself. The patient is carefully prepared for the operation, strengthening the body, weakened by the disease.
• Therapy is needed as an auxiliary method to fight metastasized cells. The fewer metastases in the body and the closer they are to the tumor, the greater the chance of a cure, or at least prolongation of a normal life for the dog. If metastases have spread far from the tumor, then the disease becomes incurable.

In addition, it should be borne in mind that up to 60% of malignant tumors reappear in the same place.

Oncological diseases have always existed, but in recent decades they have literally become the scourge of our time. Unfortunately, cancer does not spare our smaller brothers either - it affects both pets and wild animals. But if in nature a sick creature is doomed, pets have a chance to recover or at least prolong life.

Cancer treatment is complex and expensive for both humans and animals. The problem is further complicated by the fact that not all veterinary clinics have the necessary equipment, medicines, and specialists who can diagnose, operate, and treat cancer in dogs.

In saving the life of an animal, the attentiveness and observation of the owners plays a huge role. If they can recognize signs of trouble early, the dog has a chance of recovery.

But oncological diseases are insidious in that in most cases their signs appear already at the later stages, when the treatment becomes ineffective and it is no longer about recovery, but at least about prolonging existence or stopping suffering.

Causes of the disease

Reliable reasons for the occurrence of oncological neoplasms are not yet known to anyone. It is believed that the factors that “trigger” the process of formation and development of pathological cells are the following reasons:

1. Stress.
2. Excessive insolation.
3. Wrong nutrition.
4. Bad environmental situation.
5. Toxins that enter the body with water, food, medicines.
6. Bad habits.
7. Radiation.
8. Exposure to heavy metals and more.

Older and weaker animals are more susceptible to diseases, although cancer does not suffer from selectivity and affects both older dogs and young and strong dogs, and even puppies.

The most common forms and types of malignant neoplasms in dogs are:

1. Lymphoma.
2. Malignant histiocytoma.
3. Angiosarcoma.
4. Mammary cancer.
5. Mast cell tumor.
6. Melanoma.
7. Osteosarcoma.
8. Prostate cancer.
9. Transitional cell carcinoma.

Each of the types of this disease has its own specifics and requires a special method of treatment, the use of specific medications.

Which breeds are susceptible

Cancer can occur in any pedigreed dog and in a mongrel too, but the following breeds are believed to be most susceptible to neoplasms:

1. Boxers.
2. Dogs.
3. St. Bernards.
4. Golden Retrievers.
5. Boston Terriers.

Belonging to a certain breed does not mean that a dog will definitely get cancer, but it is at risk and requires more attention to its health.

Symptoms

Oncological neoplasms are dangerous because in the first stages of the disease they occur without pronounced symptoms. But an experienced and attentive owner may note the following deviations in the behavior or appearance of the animal:

1. Digestive disorders - vomiting after eating, unexplained loss of appetite, strange behavior after eating, suggesting that the dog is in pain. Constipation, diarrhea may be an indication of the presence of oncological neoplasms in the gastrointestinal tract.
2. Problems with urination and bowel movements can be caused by a tumor in the prostate or rectum.
3. Coughing, bleeding from the mouth, feeling that the dog is choking on food and water most often occurs with damage to the lungs and other respiratory organs, cancer of the larynx, swelling of the jaw, tongue, lips, nose.
4. A change in gait, shaky uncertain movements, lameness indicate damage to the skeletal system.
5. Neoplasms under the skin and on the skin, pigmentation changes can be symptoms of various types of cancer, including skin cancer.
6. Pain - the dog can suffer greatly from pain in the affected parts of the body, as well as from general intoxication, which is expressed by severe weakness, exhaustion and apathy.
7. An unpleasant odor emanating from an animal or from individual areas affected by a tumor. Usually indicates the decay of the neoplasm, often accompanies breast cancer, lesions of the mouth, skin.

Depending on the stage of the oncological process, manifestations can be pronounced or subtle, with inflammation of the lymph nodes in the general process and metastases in the terminal stages of the disease.

Diagnostics in a veterinary clinic

In order to detect oncological diseases, an experienced specialist and a laboratory of the appropriate level are required. After a visual examination, the veterinarian will send the dog for examination and prescribe laboratory tests.

You will need to analyze blood, feces and urine, depending on the type of disease, in order to exclude other problems, ultrasound diagnostics, x-rays if there is a suspicion of a process in the bones or metastases in them.

If it is difficult to identify the cause of the disease, the dog is sent for computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Not all clinics can do this, so the diagnosis of cancer in dogs has its own difficulties, especially in small settlements “outback”.

Method of treatment and prognosis

The treatment of cancer patients is almost the same for both humans and animals. It is always complex and consists of the following steps:

1. Surgical removal of the tumor. The neoplasm is necessarily removed with a part of healthy tissue in order to protect against the possible penetration of cancer cells into the surrounding tissues and the spread of the process.
2. Irradiation with a special device. This is not possible in all veterinary clinics. The method is not used for all types of cancerous tumors and is not applicable for some types of tumor localization.
3. Chemotherapy. It is the use of toxic drugs that can kill cancer cells, destroy or shrink tumors and metastases, and prevent their formation and further spread.

Do not give a dog drugs intended for humans, because, despite the general principles of the effect on tumors, the type of drug, dosage and intensity of treatment is selected only by a veterinarian. This is due to the fact that the dose is calculated only for a specific dog, taking into account its weight, age, general health and the presence of additional problems.

If the doctor prescribes painkillers, then there is also a danger of overdose. Owners should get full advice from a specialist on how they should act in certain situations.

The treatment of any form of cancer is extremely complex, lengthy and expensive. However, there are some types of this terrible disease that are easier to treat than others and can be cured completely or give a long-term remission. These include skin cancer in its early stages.

If the neoplasm was small, the area of ​​the lesion was insignificant, the stage was early, without the formation of metastases, then the dog has a good chance of recovery.

What to do at home

The care of a sick animal must be especially meticulous, especially if it is undergoing chemotherapy or radiation. During this period, drafts and dampness are of particular danger, since pneumonia can kill the dog very quickly. This is due to the fact that its defenses, immunity are practically killed by the disease and specific drugs.

The dog needs to be provided with a warm and quiet, shaded place, constant access to clean drinking water. Since her hair can fall out, you need to clean her corner often. If the doctor has prescribed any medicines, then they must be given strictly according to his prescription.

In the event that the animal is after surgery, care for it is exactly the same as after any other surgical intervention. The seams must be carefully treated with special disinfectant compounds, if redness, blood, pus appears, or if the animal is worried, you should immediately call the veterinarian.

After surgery, to speed up recovery and strengthen weakened immunity, the dog needs to eat well. The doctor will give the necessary recommendations on feeding, depending on which organs were affected by cancer. There are some subtleties and restrictions in feeding if the dog had an oncological disease of the digestive or excretory organs.

Cancer is terrible because it causes incredible suffering to patients. If it becomes obvious that there is no hope for recovery, and the dog is suffering a lot, it will be much more humane to stop her suffering.

Possible Complications

With cancer, the most dangerous complication is metastases, leading to the spread of oncological neoplasms throughout the body of the dog. This leads to a generalization of the process, which is expressed by an increase in intoxication. If organs such as the brain, lungs, liver, and less often the heart are affected, the fate of the dog is predetermined. The term of her remaining life is calculated in months, and sometimes weeks.

Bone lesions lead to pathological fractures that do not heal. Problems with the digestive system are extremely exhausting for both the dog and its owners. She literally melts before our eyes, actually dying from exhaustion.

Since cancer can only be affected in the first two stages, there is no talk of recovery in the presence of terminal stages. You can only provide your pet with calm, painless last days of life, surrounded by loving and caring owners.

Prevention measures

As such, there are no preventive measures against cancer. However, you can monitor the health of your pet. It is important to provide him with good, high-quality and balanced nutrition, a healthy lifestyle, timely treatment and excellent care.

To prevent cancer, avoid risk factors such as keeping your dog out of direct sunlight. It has been proven that malignant melanoma is much more likely to occur with regular increased exposure, especially when receiving sunburn.

Hairless and short-haired dogs are more susceptible to this than others, especially those with light skin and coat. White dogs and cats often have pink noses, which suffer greatly from the sun's rays. With repeated burns, the risk of oncological neoplasms increases several times.

Although exposure to the sun is good for the health of the animal, keeping it in direct sunlight is very dangerous. In hot countries, light dogs should wear hats if they go to the beach or take long walks. By the way, the local population has been practicing such methods for a long time, supplying horses and donkeys with straw hats.

There are a number of studies stating that fortification of food with vitamins and antioxidants reduces the risk of developing malignant tumors. In any case, before taking any steps, it is imperative to consult with your veterinarian.