Cancers among dogs in Uganda. (types and treatments)

There are many types of cancer among dogs in Uganda, which are classified based on the organs they affect or their ability to spread to different organs.

Benign cancers are cancers that do not spread to other organs.

Malignant cancers are cancers that spread to other organs.

TVT, oral warts, lipomas, breast cancers, and hemangiosarcomas are the most common cancers among dogs in Uganda.

How do I know if my dog has cancer?

Cancers affecting external body organs, such as the breast, eyes, and skin, are easy to identify. They present with unpainful swellings.

Cancers that affect the internal body organs are difficult to diagnose, mostly in the early stages; they require multiple diagnostics (blood work, x-rays, scans, and histopathology) to conclude.

Which breeds of dogs are more prone to cancer in Uganda?

Golden retrievers, German shepherds, Rottweilers, and Boerboels have the highest chance of getting cancer.

Is cancer painful to dogs?

Most cancers are non-painful to dogs. But they create a lot of discomfort.

Can my dog survive cancer?

The prognosis of cancer depends on the type, location, and stage of cancer your dog has.

The survival rate is high if the cancer is benign, in the early stages, and on non-vital organs.

The survival rate is low if the cancer is malignant, in the terminal stages, and on vital organs.

What are the most common cancers among dogs in Uganda?

There are different types of cancers among dogs in Uganda; the most commonly diagnosed by vets are:

Canine venereal transmissible tumor

TVT is a sexually transmitted cancer among dogs that presents with multiple fragile cauliflower lumps on their genitals that drip red substances.

Read about the treatment, prevention, and control of TVT among dogs in Uganda.

Oral warts

It’s cancer caused by canine papillomavirus type 1, common in young and immune-compromised dogs.

What are the signs of oral warts among dogs?

Multiple cauliflower-like growths in and around the mouth.

They are spread from dog to dog via licking.

Treatment and prevention of oral warts among dogs

Surgical removal of big warts

Administer an auto-vaccine. (An auto-vaccine is made by cutting off and processing the warts.)

Give immune boosters.

Isolate the sick dog up to healing.

Lipomas

These are cancers of the fats, common in old fat dogs.

They are benign and non-life-threatening.

Signs of lipomas in your dog

A freely movable, firm, non-painful lump is felt under the skin.

What is the treatment of lipomas among dogs?

Surgical removal of the lump.

Breast cancer

It’s a cancer that affects the mammary glands. Common in old, unspayed dogs.

What are the signs of breast cancer among dogs?

The mammary gland has irregular, firm, non-painful lumps.

What is the best treatment for breast cancer among dogs?

Surgical removal of the lumps

Spaying

Other cancers in dogs are:

Hemangiosarcoma

Spleen cancer

Bone cancer

Eye cancer

Lung cancer

What cancer kills dogs most in Uganda?

Hemangiosarcoma.

However, all cancers can kill if left untreated.

Conclusion

Diagnosing cancer in your dog doesn’t mean the end of its life; giving all the medications as prescribed by your vet and eliminating the predisposing factors significantly increases the lifespan of your dog.