Cancer in Dogs

Arguably the most dreaded word that a loving pet owner can hear is the word ‘cancer’. Knowing that your dog has cancer can certainly cause an uneasy and devastating feeling. Cancer is the name given to a collection of related diseases that can start in any place of the body. Cancer inhibits the body’s ability to discard old cells and create healthy new cells. Instead, when an animal is infected with cancer, old cells remain alive and new cells are created when they’re not needed. These excess cells can lead to tumors that can appear throughout the body. When a cancerous tumor is formed, it is called malignant, which means it can invade nearby tissues and organs. Cancerous cells can even break off and form new tumors in other areas of the body. 

If your dog is diagnosed with cancer, there are treatment options that can reduce the impact of the cancer, including:

• Surgery: Most of the tumor is surgically removed to prevent further spread of the cancer. If the tumor is nearby other major organs, then it may be difficult to remove the entire tumor. 

 

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses very strong and powerful chemicals to kill off the fast growing cancer cells. 

• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is a type of biological therapy that strengthens the immune system to fight back more effectively against the cancer. 

• Combination of the above: Depending on the severity of the cancer and the spread, your veterinarian may suggest a combination of the above three treatments to reduce the cancerous effects.  

Detecting cancer early can be the difference between life and death. Getting your pet a check-up every couple of months and keeping an eye out for abnormal behavior is critical to making sure your pet stays healthy. Although cancer may never completely go away, the treatment options listed above may help your pet live a relatively normal and pain-free life. 

Schedule an Appointment at Monroe Animal Health Center For Specialty Vet Services

Just as humans may develop health disparities like cancer and serious injuries, our pets can, too. Here at Monroe Animal Health, we know how important your furry companions are in your life. We’re here to ensure they can live a long, happy life. Because of that, we offer a variety of specialty services associated with healthcare. Contact us to schedule an appointment.