Cancer in animals
What is Cancer? Cancer is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells on or inside the body. Cancer may be benign or malignant. It may be localized or may invade surrounding tissue or spread throughout the body. How Common is Cancer? Cancer is common in pet animals and the incidence increases with age. It causes about half of the deaths of animals that have more than 10 years of age. Dogs acquire cancer about the same rate as humans, while cats have a lower incidence of cancer. How is it diagnosed? strong circumstantial evidence of cancer can be achieved by means of x-rays, blood tests, ultrasound, the physical examination and medical history.
However, in most cases require a biopsy (removal of a piece of tissue) for confirmation of the presence of cancer and to diagnose the degree of severity from benign to aggressive malignant. Can we prevent Cancer? Unfortunately, the cause of most cancers is not known and therefore prevention is difficult. Early detection and treatment are the best ways to treat cancer in animals. Common Types of Cancer in Animals: Skin – Skin tumors are very common in older dogs, but much less common in cats. Most skin tumors in cats are malignant, but in dogs they are often benign. Your veterinarian should examine all skin tumors in the dog or cat to determine if they are malignant. Mama – 50% of all breast tumors in dogs and a greater than 85% in cats are malignant.
Spaying your female pet between 6 and 12 months of age will greatly reduce the risk of breast cancer. Surgery is the treatment of choice for this type of cancer. It is advisable to continue with post-operative treatment. Head and Neck – Cancer of the mouth is common in dogs and less common in cats. Signs to watch for are a mass on the gums, bleeding, odor, or difficulty eating. Since many swellings are malignant, aggressive early treatment is essential. Cancer can also develop inside the nose in cats and dogs. Bleeding from the nose, difficulty breathing, or facial swelling are symptoms that may indicate cancer and should be verified by your veterinarian.
Lymphoma – Lymphoma is a common form of cancer in dogs and cats. It is characterized by enlargement of one or more lymph nodes in the body. The contagious feline leukemia virus may be the cause of lymphoma in some cats. Chemotherapy is often effective in controlling this cancer. Feline Leukemia Complex – The feline leukemia virus is contagious among cats and will be the causal factor of various cancers. It is not contagious to humans. While a great deal of research is carried out at present there is no fully effective treatment available for cats positive for virus. Testicles – Testicular tumors are rare in cats but common in dogs, especially those with retained testicular . Most of these cancers are preventable with castration and is curable with surgery if done early in the disease process. The Abdominal Tumors – Tumors inside the abdomen are common but difficult to diagnose early.
Weight loss or growth of the abdomen are the signs of these tumors. The Bone – Bone tumors are most often seen in large breed dogs and rarely in cats. The bones of the legs near the joints, are the most common sites. Persistent pain, lameness and swelling in the affected area are common symptoms of the disease. Many of the above symptoms are also seen with noncancerous conditions but still they require immediate attention by your veterinarian to determine the cause. Cancer is frequently treatable if early diagnosis will aid your veterinarian in delivering the best care possible. How is Cancer? Each type of cancer requires individual care and may need a combination of treatment therapies such as, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, cryosurgery (freezing), hyperthermia (heating) or immunotherapy.
Once you have a diagnosis, your veterinarian will recommend the best treatment for your pet. In some cases, your veterinarian can refer you to the attention of a veterinarian who specializes in oncology (cancer specialist) depending on the procedure recommended for treatment. What is the success rate? This largely depends on the type and extent cancer, as well as the aggressiveness of therapy. Some cancers can be cured almost all patients can be helped in one way or another.