Due to the greater care we give our dogs, the increase in their life expectancy and advances in the field of veterinary medicine, tumors in dogsare, today, a much more common diagnosis than just a few years ago. Genetic factors but also bad lifestyle habits can develop them.
In this article on our site we are going to review the most frequent types of tumors in dogs, the symptoms that we can detect and, in generally, the most used treatments to fight cancer.
Cancer in Dogs
Before talking about tumors in dogs, we should keep in mind some basic aspects to understand what cancer is. We can make a first approximation by distinguishing those tumors that we are going to detect externally, that is, those that we can see as lumps on or under the skin, from that are found inside the body While the former can be noticed by palpation or examination, the latter are usually discovered in advanced stages, when the dog already presents symptoms such as weight loss, vomiting, diarrhoea, etc.
Tumors appear most frequently in middle-aged and older dogs. Many of them, as we have said, are susceptible to detection in veterinary check-ups, which is why at least one annual is recommended, especially after seven years of age.
Types of skin tumors in dogs
In this section we will deal with skin tumors in dogs, which present as their main symptom, as we have already mentioned, more or less large lumps. We highlight the following as the most common:
Papillomas in dogs
They are benign tumors with the appearance of warts caused by the canine oral papilloma virus. More common in older dogs, they can be removed if, due to their location, they are problematic.
Lipomas in dogs
These benign tumors are made up of fat cells and are more common in overweight dogs. Their appearance is rounded and soft, they grow slowly and can reach considerable dimensions. There is a malignant variant called liposarcoma
Histiocytomas in dogs
These tumors are fast growing and can appear in young animals, between 1-3 years old. They are observed as small elevations without hair, with the appearance of buttons. Most disappear in a short time.
Mast cell tumors in dogs
They are mast cell tumors (immune system cells) more frequent in brachycephalic breeds such as the boxer and the bulldog. They appear in older dogs and about half are malignant. They usually present as multinodular, hairless, reddened bumps. They are capable of releasing substances that cause gastroduodenal ulcers.
Squamous cell carcinomas in dogs
They are related to exposure to ultraviolet radiation and occur in areas of the body with less pigmentation such as the abdomen, nose or the lips.
Melanomas in dogs
Appear in melanin-producing cells. They are dark nodules that are located in areas such as the eyelids or the mouth, where they are usually malignant.
Types of soft tissue sarcomas in dogs
These tumors in dogs are malignant and have different origins. There are breeds predisposed to suffer from them, such as the German shepherd, the boxer or the golden retriever. They appear both on the skin and on the organs, and we highlight the following as the most common:
- Hemangiosarcoma: Affects cells in the lining of blood vessels.
- Osteosarcoma: it is a bone tumor that we will see in more detail in the next section.
- Lymphoma or lymphosarcoma: appears in lymph nodes and organs with lymphoid tissue such as the spleen or bone marrow. It affects middle-aged and older dogs. In addition to symptoms such as apathy, anorexia or weight loss, we will find enlarged lymph nodes. Other clinical signs depend on their location.
Types of bone tumors in dogs
They can be both malignant and benign. Among the first, as we have said, the osteosarcoma stands out, which can appear at any age and with a greater predisposition in large dogs. These types of tumors in dogs occur more frequently in the front legs, but can also affect the hind legs, the ribs or the jaw. As symptoms of tumors in dogs of this type, we can see that the dog limps and the paw swells in a painful way. They usually spread to the lungs.
On the other hand, within the benign bone tumors are the osteomas, in the head and face, and theosteochondromas , which affect young dogs in ribs, vertebrae, extremities, etc.
Types of tumors of the reproductive system in dogs
In this section we highlight the following tumors in dogs:
Testicular tumors in dogs
These types of cancer in dogs are more common in older males and occur, above all, in testicles that are retained in the groin or abdomen instead of descending into the scrotum. For these cases, castration is recommended as prevention and treatment.
Transmissible venereal tumors in dogs
This tumor is rare, but it is contagious through contact between dogs, sexual contact, but also through bites, licks or scratches. They have cauliflower-like and, in addition to the sexual organs, can be seen on the face, mouth, nose, etc. Although they are not considered very virulent, they can reproduce by metastasis.
Vaginal tumors in bitches
Appear in old and intact females. They present spotting, they urinate frequently, they lick themselves and you can even see a mass that comes out through the vulva. It is essential to go to the vet to diagnose and treat it.
Ovarian tumors in bitches
They are usually infrequent and are almost always Asymptomatic. There is a malignant variety that can be associated with ascites due to its spread throughout the abdominal cavity.
Breast tumors in bitches
These tumors in bitches are very common, especially from six years of age, so sterilization is recommended It is common for them to affect more than one breast and they are detected by palpation. Metastasis usually occurs in the lungs, seriously worsening the situation, which is why you should see a specialist if you notice lumps in the dog's breasts.
Leukemia in Dogs
This cancer affects blood components in the bone marrow, especially in middle-aged dogs. Produces nonspecific symptoms such as fever, anorexia, weight loss or anemia.
Both in this case and in other tumors in dogs, tests such as blood tests, ultrasound, X-rays or computerized tomography will be carried out for diagnosis. Biopsy can confirm the diagnosis.
Symptoms of tumors in dogs
Throughout the entire article we have mentioned the symptoms of tumors in dogs depending on the type of cancer they suffer from. However, here we will recap the most common as a summary:
- Lumps or bumps on or under the skin. Although they are not always indicative of the formation of a malignant tumor, it is important to analyze them.
- General discomfort.
- Weight loss and appetite loss.
- Decay.
- Fatigue.
- Signs of pain such as whining when palpating an area or, apparently, for no reason.
- Coat in poor condition or hair loss.
- Bleeding wounds such as ulcers.
- Appearance of secondary infections due to weak immune system.
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea, with or without blood.
As you can see, most symptoms are typical of multiple he alth problems, so it's not surprising that it takes us a while to detect cancer. For this reason, we remember, it is essential to go to routine veterinary visits, since it is here that the specialist can promptly detect any anomaly. In the next section we will see the treatment options for tumors in dogs.
Treatment of tumors in dogs
Currently, there are different treatments available to eliminate cancer in dogs, so if you are wondering how to cure tumors in dogsyou should know, first, that it is possible but not in all cases. The best results are achieved by combining several, personalizing the treatment and starting early.
Among all the existing treatments, the following stand out as the most effective:
- Surgery-The tumor and surrounding tissue are removed to prevent recurrence.
- Radiotherapy: it involves irradiating the tumor, which requires specific technical means.
- Chemotherapy: Aimed at controlling metastases, it usually requires combination with another treatment to obtain good results. The drugs used have side effects to be taken into account.
- Immunotherapy: still in development, its function would be to stimulate the immune system.
As we said, it is important to highlight that not all tumors in dogs have a cure, especially those that develop metastases. For this reason it is so crucial to go to the vet for any symptom, since early detection can be the difference between eliminating the cancer or not.
Home remedies to dissolve tumors in dogs
Unfortunately, There are NO home remedies to cure cancer in dogs The best thing to do in these cases is to always follow the instructions of the veterinarian, which we recommend to be specialized in oncology. He will be able to tell us the life expectancy of the dog with cancer, the most indicated treatment for its type of tumor, as well as the chances of cure.
As a complement, a quality food, which helps strengthen the dog's immune system, is always more than recommended. Likewise, offering all our love and support will make the animal feel more animated and, therefore, more eager to fight the disease. Without a doubt, these will be the best remedies that we can apply.
In addition to the above, relaxation exercises that keep the dog calm and calm, massages in the affected areas or foods with antitumor properties and immunostimulants support the immune system and help alleviate symptoms. Of course, although they have antitumor properties, we must remember that they do not dissolve cancer, but what they do is favor treatment, prevent its development and alleviate the signs. Once again, the vet will be the one to tell us the best diet for the animal.
Most common causes of cancer in dogs
Most cells in the body reproduce throughout an individual's lifetime. This duplication creates identical cells that will continue to perform the same function. This process is controlled by genes, and any alteration in them results in cells that replicate at high speed and form masses that end up displacing he althy cells. This is how tumors are generated in dogs.
The alterations responsible for these mutations are multiple, since the genes can be activated or deactivated by factors such as diet, stress or the environmentThus, in human medicine some carcinogens have been identified that will increase the risk of cancer. For example, ultraviolet rays are related to skin cancer, X-rays to thyroid cancer, tobacco to lung cancer, some viruses to sarcoma, etc. In dogs we know that the appearance of mammary tumors is related to the hormones of the sexual cycle, hence early sterilization has a protective effect.
