6 Coyote-Looking Dogs

There are so many questions about treatment, survival, and quality of life. Many of these concerns will depend on your dog’s specific diagnosis. However, as cancer is so common in dogs, it’s important to understand the basics of the disease, what signs to look for, and potential treatment options.

There are a ton of unanswered concerns regarding quality of life, survival, and therapy. A lot of these worries will be based on the particular illness that your dog has. However because canine cancer is so prevalent, it's critical to comprehend the fundamentals of the illness, recognize the warning symptoms, and explore available treatment choices.

How Common is Cancer in Dogs?

One in three dogs, or around 30% of them, are expected to get cancer in their lifetime, according to Dr. Skylar Sylvester, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology), Assistant Clinical Professor of Medical Oncology at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine. And as canines become older, the rate rises. It's closer to one in two, or 50%, in dogs older than ten. In senior dogs, cancer is thought to be the main cause of mortality.

It appears that the incidence of cancer in dogs is increasing. However, are dogs getting cancer more often, or is the illness just simpler to identify? It's hard to determine. According to Dr. Sylvester, "We don't know if the rates of cancer are really rising or if it just feels like we are diagnosing cancer more often because we don't have historical cancer registries for dogs." Thankfully, veterinary care has advanced significantly, enabling dogs to enjoy longer, healthier lives and enhancing our capacity for illness diagnosis and treatment. Given that cancer is an advanced condition, many dogs believe that living longer equates to having a higher chance of developing the disease.

Are Certain Dogs More Likely to Get Cancer?

If older dogs are more likely to have cancer, then age is a risk factor. Are there, however, any other factors? Regretfully, the answer is indeed. Some dogs have a higher risk of developing cancer or developing it earlier in life. The median age of dogs diagnosed with cancer was 8.8 years, according to a recent study on the subject. The study also looked at age at diagnosis by breed, weight, sex, and kind of cancer. Nonetheless, intact dogs received their diagnoses earlier than neutered dogs, and male dogs received their diagnoses earlier than female dogs. Furthermore, compared to mixed-breed or smaller dogs, purebred and big-breed canines received diagnoses at earlier ages.

Apart from age, purebred dogs had a relative cancer risk that is 1.9 times greater than mixed-breed dogs, according to Nationwide Insurance research that examined cancer claims for 1.6 million dogs. The survey also examined the top 25 dog breeds and found that Boxers, Beagles, and Golden Retrievers were the breeds most frequently associated with cancer claims. French Bulldogs, Pomeranians, and Chihuahuas had the fewest claims submitted.

Do Different Cancers Affect Different Breeds?

Numerous studies have shown that particular dog breeds are more likely to develop certain cancers, which may indicate a hereditary susceptibility. For instance, the Nationwide Insurance research mentioned above indicated that among other things, Boxers had a high relative risk of skin cancers, whereas Beagles had a higher risk of bladder cancer. Large breeds such as Rottweilers, Great Danes, and Greyhounds are almost entirely affected with osteosarcoma, a kind of bone cancer of the long bones, according to a review of the literature on breed predispositions to cancer.

According to Dr. Sylvester, "Veterinarians, scientists, breed clubs, and breeders are working hard to understand those genetic predispositions and hopefully, over time, reduce their cancer risk." Different breeds are prone to different particular cancer forms. Common breeds that seem to be overrepresented in the US are Golden Retrievers, Boxers, Rottweilers, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs, and Beagles. Furthermore, research conducted mostly in Europe suggests that rarer and larger breeds, such as the Vizsla, Irish Wolfhound, Leonberger, Saint Bernard, Irish Water Spaniel, Bernese Mountain Dog, Flat-Coated Retriever, Irish Water Spaniel, Spinone Italiano, Welsh Terrier, and Vizsla, had greater cancer-related deaths.

What Are the Most Common Types of Cancer in Dogs?

Dr. Sylvester notes that while many cancer forms are classified according to the cells they affect, some of the most prevalent malignancies in dogs are as follows:

• Cancer of the lymphatic system, or lymphoma

• tumors derived from mast cells, a kind of white blood cell present in numerous bodily tissues and involved in allergic reactions.

• Osteosarcoma, or bone tumor

• Malignant melanoma of the mouth (tumor arising in the melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells within the mouth)

• Hemangiosarcoma is a kind of cancer that arises from the cells lining blood arteries.

• Soft tissue sarcoma: This type of cancer can develop anywhere in the body since it originates in the muscular, connective, or nerve tissues.

What Are the Signs of Cancer in Dogs?

Depending on the type and location of the cancer, dogs might exhibit a wide range of symptoms. That being said, there are a few universal indicators of canine cancer that you should be aware of. Dr. Sylvester warns that while some cancer-stricken dogs may not exhibit any symptoms, the following warning indicators call for a trip to the veterinarian:

Weakness, lethargic behavior, or low energy

• Appetite changes, difficulty eating, or inadvertent weight loss

• alterations in toilet habits, such as trouble urinating or defecating 

• symptoms of discomfort, such as limping

• breathing difficulties or coughing

• unusual smells, bleeding, or discharge coming from any orifices in the body, such as the mouth or nose 

Additionally, keep in mind any unusual growths, bumps, lumps, or swellings. However, what does a dog's tumor look like? Malignant (cancerous) and benign (not cancerous) tumors might have similar appearances; thus, the only reliable method to differentiate between them is to take a sample of the tumors. "Any new mass, especially one that changes in size or appearance, seems to be growing, irritates the pet, or turns red or ulcerated, should be evaluated in terms of lumps and bumps as those tend to be more concerning features," the expert advises.

How Is Cancer in Dogs Diagnosed?

According to Dr. Sylvester, the diagnostic process for many cancers includes obtaining a sample of the tumor by cytology, which involves looking at a single cell or a small cluster of cells under a microscope, or fine-needle aspiration, which involves collecting a tiny sample of cells with a thin needle. Tumor biopsy, which involves removing a representative sample of tissue, and histopathology, which involves analyzing a solid sample of tissue and yields more information than cytology, are other options. "Under a microscope, we can see more details about the type and grade of the tumor and frequently get insights into the prognosis and behavior of a specific cancer."

To determine the appropriate course of therapy, staging—which involves figuring out how much cancer is present in the dog's body and potential areas of spread—is a crucial first step, says Dr. Sylvester. More testing may be necessary for that. "Staging entails determining how far cancer has progressed throughout the body, usually via CT, ultrasonography, or chest x-rays. It might be challenging to determine what course of action is advised for a particular pet at that particular moment without this knowledge, the speaker adds.

What Are Typical Treatments for Cancer in Dogs?

The kind and stage of the cancer in your dog will determine the course of therapy. Nonetheless, the majority of dogs often receive chemotherapy to kill cancer cells with medications, radiation therapy to kill cancer cells with radiation, immunotherapy to strengthen the dog's immune system to combat the disease, or surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible. To treat both the local main tumor and any possible spread, your veterinarian may also employ a mix of medications. Depending on which therapies are utilized, how long your dog receives treatment, and where you live, the cost of the treatment will vary significantly. Fortunately, part or all of the expenses can be covered by pet insurance.

On the horizon are novel approaches to treating cancer, such as tailored medication therapies and cancer vaccinations. Three medications and one with provisional approval are now approved by the FDA to treat cancer in dogs. There are two for lymphoma and two for mast cell malignancies.

Dr. Sylvester emphasizes that the mission of veterinary oncologists such as herself is to provide the greatest quality of life possible for their dog while assisting families in comprehending their pet's cancer diagnosis and exploring available treatment choices. She says, "There are palliative treatment options available to help dogs with cancer feel better and maintain good quality of life for as long as possible, even if definitive cancer treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy, are not pursued."

Is It Possible to Prevent Your Dog From Getting Cancer?

Given the elevated risk, you may be asking how to keep your dog from developing cancer. However, what causes canine cancer? Unfortunately, a variety of variables, including immunologic, environmental, and genetic risk factors, have a role in the development of cancer. Breed predispositions to certain cancer types provide evidence for a hereditary origin of cancer, but most genetic alterations that ultimately result in cancer are the result of spontaneous mutations, according to Dr. Sylvester. "Several environmental factors, including pesticides, UV light, pollution, hormones, and nutrition, may also contribute to an individual's risk of developing cancer."

Because of the interaction of all those variables, the majority of malignancies are now incurable, and it is even impossible to forecast which dogs will get cancer or when. However, this does not imply that the illness has complete control over you. The best course of action, according to Dr. Sylvester, is to make sure your pet is generally healthy by taking regular trips to the vet, exercising, feeding them a balanced diet, and making sure they are loved. This will put them in the best possible position to fight cancer if it does develop.