Pet Cancer

PET CANCERS

 

Pet cancer is primarily a function of age. Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells on or within the body; it may be benign or malignant, localized or invasive and spread throughout the body. Almost half of the deaths of pets over 10 years of age can be attributed to cancer. Dogs contract cancer at approximately the same frequency as humans, and cats are less vulnerable.

Strong circumstantial evidence of cancers can be attained from x-rays, blood tests, ultrasonography, the pet’s physical examination, and medical history. A biopsy is performed for confirmation that pet cancer exists and to grade the level of severity from benign to aggressively malignant.

The causes of most pet cancers are not known and, therefore, prevention is difficult. Early detection and treatment are the best ways to manage pet cancers.

SKIN - Skin tumors are very common in older dogs, but much less common in cats. Most skin tumors however, in cats are malignant, but in dogs, they are often benign. Your veterinarian should examine all skin tumors in a dog or cat to determine if any are malignant.

BREAST - 50% of all breast tumors in dogs and greater than 85% of all breast tumors 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 pet cancer. Follow up treatment may be recommended.

HEAD & 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, early, aggressive treatment is essential. Cancer may also develop inside the nose of both cats and dogs. Bleeding from the nose, breathing difficulty, or facial swelling are symptoms that may indicate cancer and should be checked by your veterinarian.

LYMPHOMA - Lymphoma is a common form of cancer in dogs and cats. It is characterized by enlargement of one or many lymph nodes in the body. A contagious feline leukemia virus can be the cause of lymphoma in some cats. Chemotherapy is frequently effective in controlling this type of pet cancer.

FELINE LEUKEMIA COMPLEX - The feline leukemia virus is contagious among cats and will occasionally cause different types of pet cancer. It is not contagious to humans. While a great deal of research is ongoing, no consistently effective treatment is presently available for virus-positive cats. Once infected, it is highly unlikely that the cat will survive. This viral disease attacks the immune system and leaves the cat vulnerable to a host of secondary infections. Death most often occurs within three years of infection. Because transmission usually occurs through contact with other felines, that’s cats that live in multi-cat households or are allowed to roam outdoors are particularly at risk. There is no known relationship between FeLV and leukemia as it occurs in humans.

The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) causes Feline AIDS in cats. It is not the same virus as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes human AIDS. FIV causes AIDS-like symptoms in felines including immune system suppression and chronic susceptibility to other infections. A cat with FIV may remain relatively healthy for several years before its immune system becomes too weak to fight off other diseases. There is no cure for Feline AIDS and up to one in 12 cats in North American test positive for FIV. As with Feline Leukemia virus, cats from multi-cat households and those that venture outdoors are at greatest risk of FIV infection.

TESTICLES - Testicular tumors are rare in cats and common in dogs, especially those with retained testes. Most of these cancers are preventable with castration (neutering) and curable with surgery if done early in the disease process.

ABDOMINAL TUMORS - Tumors inside the abdomen are common but it is difficult to make an early diagnosis. Weight loss or abdominal enlargement is a sign of these tumors.

BONE - Bone tumors are most often seen in large breed dogs and rarely in cats. The leg bones, near 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 signs are also seen with no cancerous conditions but they still warrant prompt attention by a veterinarian to determine the cause. Cancer is frequently treatable and early diagnosis will aid your veterinarian in delivering the best care possible.

Each type of cancer requires individual care and may include a combination of treatment therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, cryosurgery (freezing), hyperthermia (heating) or immunotherapy. Once you have a diagnosis, your veterinarian will discuss the best treatment option(s) for your pet. In some instances, your veterinarian may refer you to a board-certified oncologist (cancer specialist) depending upon the recommended course of treatment.

The success rate of treatment strongly depends upon the type and extent of the cancer, as well as the aggressiveness of therapy. Some cancers can be cured and almost all patients can be helped to some degree.

Your veterinarian will have a better chance to control or cure your pet’s cancer if it is detected early.