What Are The Causes And Treatments Of Cancer Among Dogs In Uganda?

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One in four dogs get cancer during their lifetime.

50% of dogs over 10 years old develop cancer.

Of late, cancer is one of the most diagnosed diseases in dogs, just like in humans.

In the past, cancers were mainly found in senior dogs; however, with an increase in predisposing factors, young dogs have increasingly been diagnosed with different types of cancer.

Diagnosing cancer in your pet doesn’t mean the end of its life; some cancers are not life-threatening, once diagnosed early and treated soon, the prognosis is usually good.

Cancers of the internal organs are usually more deadly than the topical ones (those seen by the eyes). WHY?

Cancers of internal organs are difficult to detect by the owner or vet doctor in their early stages; they are easily detected in the terminal stages when they impair the proper functioning of the attacked organ.

Topical cancers (cancers that cause visible body changes) are easy to detect by the vet and owner. Therefore, intervention is done early.

In this blog post, we exhaustively explore the causes, types, treatment, prevention, and breeds of dogs that are more likely to get cancer.

So keep reading to be informed.

What is cancer?

Is a disease condition characterized by abnormal, uncontrolled division and growth of cells in the body.

Why do cancer cells divide uncontrollably in the body?

Cancer cells are body cells that have undergone genetic mutations (changes) this disrupt the normal body regulatory mechanism to control division, growth, and death.

Types of cancer in dogs:

Benign cancers: these are tumors that stay in their primary invasion site. (They affect only specific sites in the body.) They do not spread to other body parts, and they have distinctive borders. If diagnosed early and treated soon, the prognosis is good.

Malignant cancers are tumors that spread throughout the whole body via the blood and lymphatic system. (Metastasis is a term used to describe the process of cancer spreading to other body parts.) The prognosis for malignant cancer is good.

Breeds of dogs that are more likely to get cancer include:

German shepherd

Great Dane

Boxer

Rottweiler

Golden retriever

Doberman

Beagle

Poodles

Cocker spaniel, etc.

How long do dogs with cancer live?

What is the prognosis for cancer in dogs?

It is difficult to tell the exact time a dog with cancer can live. (Since it is not easy to determine the impact of the diagnosed cancer on a dog’s body.)

The time a dog having cancer can stay alive is estimated based on the type and nature of the cancer.

Dogs diagnosed with malignant and aggressive cancers in the terminal stage have limited time to spend on earth; the prognosis of such cancers is bad or grave.

They spread quickly too many organs in the body, leading to multiple organ failures.

However, dogs with benign, nonaggressive cancers in their early stages live for a longer period of time. Such tumors are localized and do not spread to other organs. The prognosis is good or guarded if medicated early.

How do I tell if my dog’s lump or swelling is cancer?

Characteristics of cancerous lumps or swellings:

Abnormal growths (develop in places where they are not supposed to be)

They are usually unpainful.

They are firm when pressed or palpated.

Distorted the normal shape of the affected body parts.

They increase in size gradually.

They are irregularly shaped.

Usually have distinctive borders

How can I tell if my dog has cancer?

Signs of cancer in dogs

Internal cancers (cancers of the internal organs) are extremely difficult to tell by the owner and even the vet unless when they cause impairment of the affected organ.

Topical or visible cancers (cancers on or outside the dog’s body) are easy to identify by the owner. HOW? They present with abnormal, solid, non-painful swelling. Such swellings have no fluids and exudates.

Other symptoms include:

Change of behavior

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Pale gums

Swollen abdomen

Swollen lymph nodes

Coughing

Lethargy

Anorexia

Abnormal lung sounds

Neurological signs

Lameness

NB: Not every swelling or lump should be considered cancerous; visit a nearby veterinary clinic for a correct diagnosis.

What can I do to increase the life expectancy of my dog with cancer?

What can you do to enable your dog to live longer with cancer?

Give all prescribed drugs correctly, following the instructions from a veterinary doctor.

Eliminate all the sources of stress in your pet’s life.

Ensure proper feeding (ask the vet doctor if you should make dietary adjustments depending on the type of cancer diagnosed).

Eradicate all the factors that predispose your dog to cancer.

Remove all the conditions that can exacerbate the cancer our dog is suffering from.

Spay and neuter your dog for cancer of the reproductive organs.

Routinely report to your veterinarian for a checkup to assess the response of your dog to the medications given and the quality of life she or he is living.

Immediately report any side effects of the drugs given, if any are noticed.

Provide emotional support to your furry baby; keep them occupied and happy.

If no improvement is seen from the given medications, ask your veterinarian for a change in the treatment plan if possible.

What are the most common types of cancer in dogs?

We classified cancers according to the body parts they attack; these include:

Cancers of reproductive organs:

Canine-transmissible venereal tumor is sexually transmitted.

Ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers are common in unspayed dogs.

Prostate and testicular cancers are common in unneutered dogs.

Bone cancer is usually noticed in large dog breeds that are inbred.

Breast cancer is common in unspayed dogs.

Ocular cancer affects the eye(s). Common in dogs with eye irritating conditions and those inbred.

Liver cancers are mostly seen in dogs exposed to toxins and chemicals for long periods of time in small amounts.

Skin cancers are common in dogs with prolonged exposure to the sun, genetic disorders, chronic skin diseases, e.g., mange, and fungal infections.

Intestinal cancers are most common in dogs fed on contaminated foods.

Oral tumors

Brain tumors

Nasal tumors

Kidneys tumors

Spleen tumors

What causes cancer in dogs?

Predisposing factors for cancer in dogs are also included.

Genetic disorders

Hormonal imbalances

Viral infections, e.g., canine papilloma virus

Old age

Overexposure to the sun

Obesity

Exposure to tobacco smoke

Inbreeding

Failure to spay and neuter dogs

Chronic underlying disease condition

Feeding dogs contaminated foods

Immunosuppression

How can I prevent my dog from getting cancer?

Proper feeding (avoid giving a lot of processed foods)

Buying food from only trusted manufacturers

Routine health pet checkups

Regularly exercise your dog.

Maintain a healthy pet weight.

Limit exposure to the sun.

Avoid exposure to tobacco smoke.

For purchased pets, get them from trusted dog breeders with a proper breeding program.

Can my dog’s cancer be treated?

Visit a nearby vet doctor for a detailed treatment plan that is the best for your pet, depending on the diagnosed cancer.

Commonly used treatment protocols include:

Surgery

Chemotherapy

Radiotherapy

Immunotherapy

Commonly prescribed drugs are prednisolone, iron, vitamin K, vinscritine, doxorubicin, antibiotics, etc. The choice of the drugs used depend on the severity and type of cancer.