Hearing the word cancer is synonymous with bad news. Just hearing it, the images that come to mind are a long process of medications and intensive care, radiotherapy, chemotherapy. Not only humans suffer from this disease, but also animals, such as dogs.
When a pet is diagnosed with this disease, many questions arise. Among them, how long a dog with cancer lasts, how it affects him, what care he needs, among others. If you are interested in all this, be sure to read the following article.
How does cancer affect dogs?
Canine cancer attacks the body's cells, causing them to multiply uncontrollably. After this, they divide and form more cells successively, affecting the internal organs and damaging the tissue. All this, gradually, is turning into a tumor.
There are various types of cancer that are common in all dog breeds, such as the following:
- Lymphoma: attacks the lymphatic system. It is characterized by an increase in the size of the nodes found in the jaw. It is one of the most common and all races can present it.
- Breast cancer: is a neoplasm that affects the mammary glands. It is very common in all female dogs, especially those that have not been spayed.
- Osteosarcoma: is a very aggressive type of cancer that attacks the bone system. It mainly affects large dogs, but it also occurs in medium and small dogs.
General care of a dog with cancer
Once the presence of a cancerous tumor in your dog is confirmed, it is necessary to maintain periodic reviews with the veterinarian. Prevents the dog from exposing itself to any type of stress or situations that generate anxiety. He should be in an environment where he always feels comfortable and calm
It is essential that you play with him frequently, keep him company and make him feel loved. This way he will stay happy and in a good mood. Similarly, it is extremely important to follow the treatment prescribed by the veterinarian handling our case, since the future of the animal will depend on it.
Cancer in dogs and its treatment
When it comes to cancer, each treatment is different, because each manifestation of this disease requires different methods. In addition, there is also the factor of your dog's age, physical condition and general he alth, as well as the progress of the disease.
In this sense, the veterinarian will detect the type of tumor your pet has, which may have benign or malignant characteristics For the benign tumors are usually used medications without the need for surgery; the drugs reduce or completely eliminate the tumor without major complications.
On the other hand, malignant tumors often require surgical intervention, depending on their size and location. It is also common to apply chemotherapy and radiotherapy to the patient, with the aim of reducing the malignant cells in the dog's body.
Proper nutrition
Regarding diet, it is an important pillar in the recovery of a dog with cancer. Due to the treatments, it is usual that you lose your appetite, and therefore you lose weight little by little and feel very weak. For this reason, one of your tasks will be to take more care than ever of your diet.
First of all, you have to make it attractive and appetizing, with the intention of attracting its attention and encouraging it to eat. It is important that foods contain high protein content from red meat, the presence of green vegetables is also recommended, since these contain properties that help strengthen the system dog's immune system. Among them we recommend:
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Spicanaca
These vegetables should not be offered in abundance, but as a complement. Some vegetables, rich in sugar, should be avoided, such as:
- Carrot
- Potatoes or potatoes
- Green peas
Why are these foods not recommended? Cancer feeds on sugars, so a diet that includes these vegetables only makes it easier for it to spread. On the other hand, it is important to note that the dog's diet cannot include grains, since the dog's digestive system does not process them correctly. Of course, there should always be a bowl of fresh, clean water always available.
How long does a dog with cancer last?
After reading all these recommendations, surely you are wondering, how long does a dog with cancer last? How long can a dog live with cancer? The truth is that it is not possible to give a concrete answer, because each case is different. It can be from a few months to a couple of years.
In reality, recovery and success depends on the type of cancer your dog has, as well as his breed, general he alth, history of other diseases, lifestyle, diet he has had up to that time (and during treatment), age, the reaction of the tumor to the treatment, the progress of the disease when it is discovered, among many other factors.
Despite them, it is well known that adequate treatment prolongs the life of these furry companions, and there are many cases of a complete recovery. The important thing is that you strictly follow the recommendations of the veterinarian, apply the suggested treatment and care at home, and give your pet all the love, understanding and support that he has given you during his life with you.
