Cancer is one of the most painful illnesses our furry friends can suffer from. Dogs can acquire various types of cancer, and detecting the warning signs in their early stages can be challenging.
You should always be equipped with the proper knowledge of symptoms that might indicate your dog is developing cancer. By doing so, you can take prompt action and provide our companions with the necessary care and treatment they need.
Let’s discuss some signs that might show you that your canine friend is not in good health.
What Is Dog Cancer?
The immune system that fights diseases weakens as a dog ages, leading to illness susceptibility. Hence, it is crucial to identify the initial indicators of cancer and identify the variants of canine cancer to ensure the longevity of your pet’s health. Similar to humans, there is no sole symptom related to cancer.
Knowledge of potential symptoms is crucial in achieving an early diagnosis which can be challenging. And although dogs aged ten and above are more prone to cancer, being vigilant can aid the early detection of about 50% of these cancer cases, which can be successfully treated.
Common Types Of Dog Cancer Are:
- Hemangiosarcoma
- Mammary cancer
- Lymphoma
- Mast cell tumors
- Lung cancer
- Osteosarcoma
- Melanoma
Signs Of Dog Cancer
Lumps And Bumps Underneath The Skin
It’s impractical to determine whether a bump is cancerous based on touch alone; thus, seeking a vet’s opinion is advisable. Lumps and toes can crop up anywhere on your dog’s physique. It’s valuable if you can teach your dog to examine its paws. You can feel using your hands if your dog has a lamp under its skin by gently running your hands across it.
However, It’s impractical to determine whether a bump is cancerous based on touch alone; thus, it’s advisable to seek a vet’s opinion. Lumps and toes can crop up anywhere on your dog’s physique. It’s valuable if you can teach your dog to examine its paws.
Discharge Or Bleeding From Any Body Part
If your dog is bleeding or has any unusual discharge from their ears, nose, mouth, bottom, or any opening in their body (except for female pets during their period), it’s an emergency. These symptoms could mean many things, even cancer, so you should immediately take your pet to a vet. Such symptoms could indicate several factors and even cancer, so immediate professional attention from a vet is necessary.
Difficulty Breathing
Pressure on any part of your dog’s respiratory system can cause breathing problems. Furthermore, many cancers spread to the lungs in their later stages. The respiratory distress signals of coughing, wheezing, and choking must be attended to immediately.
Wounds That Won’t Heal
Sometimes, a persistent wound or sore can indicate cancer in dogs. While minor wounds typically heal over time with visible signs of scabs and hair regrowth, a wound that persists or won’t heal should be examined by a veterinarian to check for cancer or other serious health issues. Red and painful wounds may indicate a mast cell tumor, one of the dogs’ most prevalent types of skin tumors that can spread to different body areas.
Rapid, Unexplained Weight Loss Or Gain
Rapid weight loss is an often-seen symptom of cancer in dogs, which may imply an internal gastrointestinal tumor that cannot be detected externally. It is essential to visit a veterinarian immediately if your dog experiences sudden weight loss, regardless of how its appetite changes. Furthermore, sudden
Reduced Appetite
If your dog is more interested in food than usual, it could be typical for getting older. Nevertheless, if your furry friend’s appetite significantly drops or they start refusing treats they usually enjoy, it is best to consult a veterinarian.
Eating Or Swallowing Difficulties
If your dog struggles to eat or swallow, it could be a sign of mouth or throat cancer or dental problems. A thorough examination by a vet is necessary to determine the underlying issue.
Signs Of Pain
Some cancers, like bone cancer, can cause pain and discomfort leading to limping or lameness. If your dog seems reluctant to do their usual physical activities, it’s time for a check-up, as arthritis and other conditions common in older dogs can also cause pain. Booking a comprehensive examination with a vet is the only way to diagnose the root cause of the problem accurately.
Reduced Energy
If your dog appears lethargic and lacks energy towards their usual favorite activities, it is essential to be attentive and take your pet to the vet for a check-up. This behavior change can indicate ailments common in older pets, including heart disease and cancer. However, most of these conditions are manageable if you have the correct diagnosis and treatment early enough for your dog.
Unusual Poop
As a pet owner, you are familiar with your dog’s habits and encounter their feces frequently. You may know the differences between regular stool, stool that occurs after raiding the cat food, and stool that may indicate a problem. Consistent diarrhea, excessive hardness, and difficulty during bowel movements can be early signs of cancer in dogs.
These signs are always an alarm that something is wrong with your dog, so always contact a vet when you encounter them. It’s essential to monitor your dog’s stool for black, sticky stools, which can indicate ulcers, a symptom of mast cell tumors.
Foul Odor
In case your furry friend has an unpleasant odor that persists even after frequent bathing, it’s possible that they could have tumors in their nose, mouth, or anus. The growth that occurs due to cancer in your dog consistently exhibits a horrible smell. However, the best way to be sure what is wrong is to contact a vet to conduct a thorough inspection first.
Exercise Intolerance
Dogs generally become less active as they get older, which is normal. But if your younger dog shows exercise intolerance and lethargy, it could be an early sign of illness. Even if your older dog shows sudden changes in energy levels and loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed, it’s important to take them to the vet for a check-up. It’s essential to take your pet to the vet if you notice sudden changes in energy levels or they become disinterested in activities they usually enjoy, even if they are older.
Conclusion
Cancer is as harmful to dogs as it is to humans, and therefore, if you detect any possible signs of this disease, you should not ignore it even for one bit. This doesn’t mean that one sign above guarantees that your dog is suffering from the disease, but it doesn’t mean it is safe. Visiting a vet whenever you feel your dog is not well is very important since every time wasted may cost your dog its life.
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