{"id":23366,"date":"2018-10-10T08:00:34","date_gmt":"2018-10-10T07:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/?p=23366"},"modified":"2021-08-16T13:35:10","modified_gmt":"2021-08-16T12:35:10","slug":"signs-of-cancer-in-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/signs-of-cancer-in-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"Signs of Cancer in Dogs: A Vet\u2019s Guide to the Symptoms of Canine Cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Knowing the signs of cancer in dogs can help you as an owner to catch it early. It can also help you understand the information your veterinarian is giving you and how he or she is making this diagnosis. Unfortunately, sometimes it\u2019s the diagnosis every dog owner dreads: Cancer. Yet the truth is, a “head in sand” approach does the dog no favors.<\/p>\n

Don’t ignore the signs<\/h2>\n

Never ignore any signs of cancer in dogs. Early diagnosis is empowering. It gives the vet the best options for treatment. Undertaken early, cancer therapy is often more successful and less invasive. Delaying a diagnosis can mean a poorer long-term outlook. But what are the signs of cancer in dogs? How do you spot this worrying disease?<\/p>\n

What is \u2018Cancer in Dogs\u2019?<\/h2>\n

Cancer takes many forms. We tend to hear the word cancer and think of solid tumors<\/a>. These are lumps that form as a result of the excessive growth of one cell type. The type of tumor is a reflection of the parent tissue from which it grew. Any part of the body can become cancerous, such as soft tissue, nerves, bone, or even fluids such as blood or the white cells that fight infection. So if cancer can affect any body tissue, what are the signs of cancer in dogs? What do you look for as an early warning?<\/p>\n

The Vague Nature of the Signs of Cancer in Dogs<\/h2>\n

As a responsible owner, your job is to spot when something isn\u2019t right with the dog. Don\u2019t worry about making the diagnosis (more of this at the end of this article) as this is the vet\u2019s job. Know that small clues can be important. But likewise, these signs are just pointers\u2014a dog losing weight doesn\u2019t mean he has cancer. He may simply have a sore tooth that makes it painful to eat.<\/p>\n

Signs of cancer in dogs<\/h2>\n

Lumps and Bumps<\/h3>\n

Check your dog weekly for new lumps or bumps. Get all new lumps checked by your vet. If the lump is big enough, the vet can harvest a small sample of cells with a needle and send this off to the lab to be checked. Perhaps your dog already has lots of lumps that aren’t troublesome. To be on the safe side, take a photo of each one and measure it. Recheck each lump monthly. Be alert for rapid growth, changes of shape, irritation or inflammation. See a vet immediately if anything changes.<\/p>\n

Weight Loss<\/h3>\n

Cancer in dogs is just one cause of weight loss. Other common reasons include bad teeth, a poor diet, kidney problems, liver disease or gut problems. What these problems all have in common is they all need looking into, so visit the vet.<\/p>\n

Vomiting or Diarrhea<\/h3>\n

In a senior that starts vomiting, your first thought might be stomach cancer in dogs. But this is quite rare. Yes, stomach or bowel cancer can cause sickness and diarrhea, but so can:<\/p>\n