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Cancer in Pets

Today, pets have a much better chance of getting treatment for cancer than they did in the past. This is because of big improvements in recognizing, diagnosing, and treating cancer early.

Cancer in Pets

 What Are Neoplasia, Tumors, and Cancer?

- Neoplasia is when cells in a pet’s body grow in an unusual, uncontrolled way.

- This unusual growth is called a neoplasm or tumor. Tumors can be:

  - Benign (Non-cancerous): They grow slowly, don’t spread to other parts of the body, and don’t invade nearby tissue.

  - Malignant (Cancerous): They can grow fast, invade nearby tissue, and spread to other parts of the body.

The words "tumor" or "mass" describe the visible lump or growth, but only malignant tumors are true cancers.

 How Common Is Cancer in Pets?

About 1 in 4 dogs will get some form of tumor in their lives. Almost half of dogs over the age of 10 develop cancer. Dogs get cancer at about the same rate as humans. Cats also get cancer, though less often than dogs, and some types, like lymphoma, are more common in cats.

 How Is Cancer Diagnosed?

- Medical History & Physical Exam: The vet will look at your pet’s health history and perform an exam.

- Tests: Blood tests, X-rays, and ultrasounds help find out if cancer is present.

- Cytology: The vet can take some cells from the mass to look under a microscope.

- Biopsy: Sometimes, the vet will take a small tissue sample from the tumor to see if it’s benign or malignant.

- Advanced Imaging: Special scans, like CT or MRI, can show the exact location and size of the tumor.

Veterinary oncologists are cancer specialists who work with regular vets to provide the best care for pets with cancer.

 Can Cancer Be Prevented?

Most of the time, we don’t know what causes cancer in pets, so preventing it is hard. However, some things might help:

- Avoid secondhand smoke around pets.

- Spaying female pets can lower the risk of mammary (breast) cancer, and neutering males eliminates the risk of testicular cancer.

-Certain dog breeds are more predisposed to specific types of cancer. For instance, Boxers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Beagles are among those breeds that may have a higher risk.

 Signs of Cancer in Pets

Cancer can show up in many parts of a pet’s body. Watch for these signs and contact your vet if you see them:

- Swelling in the belly

- Bleeding from the mouth, nose, or other openings

- Trouble breathing or eating

- Lumps or bumps on the skin

- Wounds that don’t heal

- Constant vomiting or diarrhea

- Weight changes

- Unexplained pain, swelling, or heat in an area

- Visible lump or mass

Some of these signs can also mean something else, but it’s always best to check with a vet.

 How Is Cancer Treated?

The treatment depends on the type and stage of the cancer. Options may include:

- Surgery to remove tumors

- Chemotherapy to kill cancer cells

- Radiation to target specific areas

- Cryosurgery (freezing) or hyperthermia (heating) to treat certain tumors

- Immunotherapy to boost the pet’s immune system

Many pets handle cancer treatments well, especially chemotherapy, which pets tolerate better than humans. Diet and pain management may also be part of the treatment.

 What’s the Success Rate?

The success of cancer treatment depends on the type, size, and location of the tumor, as well as how much it has spread. Benign tumors are usually easier to treat. If cancer is found early, it’s usually easier to manage, and even aggressive cancers can be treated to make pets feel better and live longer.

 In Summary

- Early detection is the best way to manage cancer in pets.

- Each case is different, so the treatment and success rate will vary.

- Some cancers can be cured, while others can be controlled to give pets more comfort and longer life.

For more info, check out these websites:

(https://www.acvim.org)

(https://www.vetcancersociety.org)