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Cancer in our dogs is not uncommon,

in fact It has gotten to be pretty common, especially in older dogs. Fifty percent of dogs over the age of 10 develop cancer at some point. We commonly see malignant lymphoma, which is a tumor of the lymph nodes. We see mast cell tumors, which is a form of skin cancer. There are mammary gland tumors, or breast cancer, and soft tissue sarcomas. We also see a fair amount of bone cancer in dogs.

Why are so many dogs getting cancer?  Dogs are living longer and more dogs are living inside where physical or emotional changes may be noticed more often.  There also seems to be a genetic component in some cancers, because we’ve seen where some breeds seem more prone to cancers than others such as Golden Retrievers.

We can be proactive, we know that spaying female dogs decreases the chances of mammory cancer in female dogs. Keeping sunscreen on ears and noses will help to protect our pets from the sun.

Reduce environmental factors such as a dog’s exposure to secondhand smoke, pesticides and phenoxy herbicides, which have been linked to increased risks of some canine cancers.

Exercise your dogs and keep them lean and fit to lower risk for cancer.    

We can only be diligent in helping our dogs to avoid cancer but sometimes it isn’t enough and our dogs find themselves in surgery having tumors removed.   Keeping our pets calm and comfortable during this time is generally a huge concern for most owners. The Surgi Snuggly is an incredible  post surgical product to use , not only does it keep your pet from accessing the surgical site, it also comforts your loved one while decreasing anxiety.

Nearly  half of all cancers are curable if caught early, experts say.  What signs should pet owners look for?

What are some of the symptoms of cancer in dogs?

The warning signs of cancer in dogs are very similar to that in people. A lump or a bump, a wound that doesn’t heal, any kind of swelling, enlarged lymph nodes, a lameness or swelling in the bone, abnormal bleeding. Those are all classic signs. But sometimes there are little or no signs, at least early on. So any time an animal isn’t feeling well, or there’s something abnormal or not quite right, the owner needs to bring it to the attention of their veterinarian.  

The Surgi Snuggly is soft body wrap  providing a calming compression for your pet, its non scary and relaxing making it the number one alternative to the e Collar or other soft collars. 

Some cancers found in dogs today are…

Mammary Carcinoma,     Tumors of the mammary glands are the most common tumor seen in unspayed female dogs.  A female dog spayed before her first heat will have a near zero chance of developing mammary cancer.   Spaying prevents cancer, the puppy is still young and a Surgi Snuggly post spay will keep her extremely comfortable while preventing her from accessing her surgical site!

 Apocrine Gland Carcinoma (Anal Sac)

Apocrine gland carcinomas are also known as carcinomas of the anal sac in the dog. Approximately 50% of these tumors are diagnosed by your veterinarian during a routine rectal exam (part of a complete physical exam) and show no apparent clinical signs. They can also be diagnosed if your dog exhibits increases in blood levels of calcium, as the tumor secretes a hormone-like substance that causes hypercalcemia (elevated calcium).

 Anal Sac Carcinomas are described as locally invasive, meaning they grow and invade tissues around the anal gland.

 Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of several different types of tumors that share similar characteristics. These tumors are made of connective tissue and are located either within the skin, or in tissues just below the skin. Owners often find these tumors when casually petting or grooming their dogs. Tumors that are included in this group are fibrosarcomas, hemangiopericytomas, liposarcomas, leiomyosarcomas, and nerve sheath tumors.

Lymphoma or Lymphosarcoma

Lymphoma is among the most common type of tumor seen in dogs, representing 20 percent of all canine cancers. Currently, dogs are 2-5 times more likely than people to develop lymphoma. This tumor can affect any breed of dog at any age. Some breeds, such as the Golden Retriever, are more likely to be affected, indicating a likely genetic component to the development of lymphoma.

 Nearly  half of all cancers are curable if caught early, experts say.  What signs should pet owners look for?

The warning signs of cancer in dogs are very similar to that in people. A lump or a bump, a wound that doesn’t heal, any kind of swelling, enlarged lymph nodes, a lameness or swelling in the bone, abnormal bleeding. Those are all classic signs. But sometimes there are little or no signs, at least early on. So any time an animal isn’t feeling well, or there’s something abnormal or not quite right, the owner needs to bring it to the attention of their veterinarian. 

 Most Common Canine Tumors 

Most treatment plans for canine tumors involve surgical removal of the tumor. Depending on the tumor type and location, your veterinarian may recommend adding other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. 

Chemotherapy drugs work by damaging rapidly dividing cancer cells while sparing normal cells. Because of this, normal tissues that also rapidly divide (such as those found in the intestine, bone marrow, and hair) can be transiently affected by chemotherapy. Many owners hesitate to pursue chemotherapy in their pets based on their knowledge of side effects in human cancer patients. It is important to remember that chemotherapy protocols are very different for dogs. Veterinary Oncologists have a different goal, which is to provide a good quality of life with minimal side effects. For this reason the doses of chemotherapy are lower in dogs than in people, and side effects are much less common. Should side effects occur, the drug doses are lowered for future treatments.

 Mast Cell Tumor

 Mast cells are immune cells found throughout the body that play an important role in allergic reactions. Most mast cell tumors are found on the skin and may be detected by a sudden swelling or growth. The mast cells contain small granules that make them fairly easy to diagnose with a simple needle aspirate in your veterinary office

Melanoma

Melanoma, or malignant melanoma, is a tumor made of pigmented or dark skin cells that can be found anywhere on the dog’s body.  Melanomas behave differently depending on what part of the body they are found. Your veterinarian will remove the tumor and submit the sample for analysis, called histopathology, that can give information about prognosis and help to guide treatment. Tumors located in the mouth and distally on a limb, such as on the foot or toes or that have spread to lymph nodes, are usually associated with a worse outcome or prognosis.

Historically, treatment recommendations for melanoma included surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. In the past few years, a vaccine has been developed that has shown much promise in providing another strategy for control of the tumor after surgical removal.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinomas can develop on the skin and inside the mouths of dogs. Location of squamous cell carcinomas is strongly associated with survival times in the dog. Growths on the skin are often found early by owners and respond very well to surgery alone with little likelihood--less than 20%—of spread to other locations. Tumors within the mouth that affect structures like the tonsils or tongue are very difficult to remove and can grow quite large prior to being detected. For this reason, oral squamous cell carcinomas are considered very aggressive and less than 10% of dogs with tumors in these locations survive to 1 year after diagnosis.

 Q: How common is cancer in dogs, and what are some of the common cancers found in dogs?

Most Common Canine Tumors

Most treatment plans for canine tumors involve surgical removal of the tumor. Depending on the tumor type and location, your veterinarian may recommend adding other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Chemotherapy drugs work by damaging rapidly dividing cancer cells while sparing normal cells. Because of this, normal tissues that also rapidly divide (such as those found in the intestine, bone marrow, and hair) can be transiently affected by chemotherapy. Many owners hesitate to pursue chemotherapy in their pets based on their knowledge of side effects in human cancer patients. It is important to remember that chemotherapy protocols are very different for dogs. Veterinary Oncologists have a different goal, which is to provide a good quality of life with minimal side effects. For this reason the doses of chemotherapy are lower in dogs than in people, and side effects are much less common. Should side effects occur, the drug doses are lowered for future treatments.

Mast Cell Tumor

Mast cells are immune cells found throughout the body that play an important role in allergic reactions. Most mast cell tumors are found on the skin and may be detected by a sudden swelling or growth. The mast cells contain small granules that make them fairly easy to diagnose with a simple needle aspirate in your veterinary office

Melanoma

Melanoma, or malignant melanoma, is a tumor made of pigmented or dark skin cells that can be found anywhere on the dog’s body.  Melanomas behave differently depending on what part of the body they are found. Your veterinarian will remove the tumor and submit the sample for analysis, called histopathology, that can give information about prognosis and help to guide treatment. Tumors located in the mouth and distally on a limb, such as on the foot or toes or that have spread to lymph nodes, are usually associated with a worse outcome or prognosis.

Historically, treatment recommendations for melanoma included surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. In the past few years, a vaccine has been developed that has shown much promise in providing another strategy for control of the tumor after surgical removal.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

    Squamous cell carcinomas can develop on the skin and inside the mouths of dogs. Location of squamous cell carcinomas is strongly associated with survival times in the dog. Growths on the skin are often found early by owners and respond very well to surgery alone with little likelihood--less than 20%—of spread to other locations. Tumors within the mouth that affect structures like the tonsils or tongue are very difficult to remove and can grow quite large prior to being detected. For this reason, oral squamous cell carcinomas are considered very aggressive and less than 10% of dogs with tumors in these locations survive to 1 year after diagnosis.

They can affect any of the mammary gland and may behave locally and respond well to surgery, or more aggressively with ulceration or open wounds of the mammary gland and rapid tumor growth. Forty to fifty percent of these tumors are malignant, meaning they have spread to other locations—primarily the lungs or lymph nodes—at the time of diagnosis. Treatment usually involves surgery of the affected gland, or removal of the entire chain of mammary glands on the affected side along with the lymph nodes. Chemotherapy is recommended in cases where the tumor has spread to other areas. Factors that have been associated with poorer outcomes include large tumor size, spreading to lymph nodes, and the grade (based on histopathology

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