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Dog Cancer Symptoms

Dog Cancer SymptomsDog cancer symptoms can sometimes be right in front of you but if you aren’t looking for them, or don’t know what to look for, you can easily miss the early warning signs.  When it comes to cancer treatments, catching the early dog cancer symptoms can be critical to a successful recovery.

Widely Unknown Facts:

  • Cancer is the leading cause of death of dogs over the age of 10
  • Half of all dog cancers are curable if detected early
Dog cancer symptoms are similar to those in humans, the major difference is that your dog won’t tell you so you’ll have to check regularly for anything abnormal.

Dog Cancer Symptoms

  • Loss of appetite (usually for an extended time, not just one or two meals)
  • Progressive weight loss
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Lethargy
  • Increased thirst and urination
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Declining coat condition
  • Pale mucous membrane
  • Anemia
  • A bump or lump that won’t heal
  • Abnormal bleeding

Questions

Q: Are some breeds more prone to cancers?
A:  Yes.  Statistics have shown some breeds are more prone to getting various types of cancers.  Pure breeds such as Golden Retrievers, Boxers, and Bernese Mountain dogs all have a strong incidence of specific cancers.  Still with these breeds, recognizing dog cancer symptoms can help to prevent illness due to genetics if caught early.

Q: Is there anything that can be done to help prevent my dog from getting cancer?
A: Yes.  The biggest cancer prevention is to get your dog spayed or neutered.  This helps to prevent various types of cancers.  Also good oral care is critical.  Many dogs are prone to oral cancers because of genetics and outside elements (remember, they don’t have hands so most things they come in contact with go in their mouths).  Overall though, it is difficult to prevent every form of cancer.  The important thing is to research what your breed is prone to and take steps to prevent those types of cancers.  Early detection by watching for dog cancer symptoms is always critical.

Q: My dog has cancer, is he going to die?
A:  No.  Most dog cancers can be treated by various surgeries and/or treatments such as DCA (Sodium Dichloroacetate).  The chances of survival significantly increase when early dog cancer symptoms have been identified.

Q: Are there any statistics regarding dog cancer survival rates?
A: There are a number of statistics available.  Some indicate that approximately 60% or higher of all malignancies are treatable/curable.  Other statistics show that untreated dog cancers have close to a 0% survival rate and survival times are measured in months, not years.  This is why early detection of dog cancer symptoms is so important.

Dog Cancer Symptoms Conclusion

It’s critical to identify dog cancer symptoms early if you wish to have a happy and healthy dog that will be with you for years to come.  If you identify some of these symptoms, call your veterinarian and make an appointment.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to Contact Us.

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