Be Aware of Dog Cancer Symptoms and Treatment
September 29, 2009
Despite popular misconceptions, car accidents are not the biggest dog killers. It is estimated that each year twenty five percent of all dog deaths can be attributed to cancer. This puts them as much at risk as their owners. Just like their human counterparts, early diagnosis goes a long way to minimizing the outcome. As a dog gets older, the risk will increase, and so it is imperative to know how to look for dog cancer symptoms.
The Main Types
Dogs are susceptible to many different types of cancer but the main types are very similar to those that affect humans. These are Prostate, Lung, Bone, Liver, and Stomach cancers. The problem with these cancers is that they are all internal and usually only show symptoms at an advanced stage. Then they are difficult and expensive to treat. Be sure to have a good health insurance policy to prepare for worst case scenarios like this; the last thing you need in times of stress are financial worries compounding things.
A Natural Indicator
Dogs are all personality, and just like any dog illness or injury, cancer will probably lead to a change in mood, temperament and liveliness in your dog. No one is better suited to notice these changes than you, so always be aware of any behavioral changes and try to determine the cause.
Dog Cancer Treatment
Unfortunately, not all types of cancer can be cured or stopped. For those types that that can be treated, recovery is much more possible if it is diagnosed at an early stage. Where full recovery is not possible, the cancer can still be controlled and the effects alleviated. The best that can be done in these situations is to alleviate the pain.
Treatment can range from drugs to chemotherapy and removal of tumors through surgery. Recovery will be long, hard, and expensive both for you and your dog. The main part of treatment is pain relief. While this doesn’t come as much of a relief, it is important to limit their suffering. You should always consult a vet before administering a painkiller, and keep in mind that many human painkillers are toxic to dogs.
Radiotherapy is also used to treat cancer in dogs. The good news here is that it does not cause the terrible side effects that are often the case in people. If your dog does undergo radiotherapy and begins to vomit then there is usually another reason for this.
When under treatment or recovering from cancer, many dogs, especially older dogs, will lose their appetite. There are drugs available that will increase appetite but in extreme cases a stomach pump may be necessary.
Remember that the most important thing at this stage is lots of love and affection. It really is the best medicine, and when facing life’s harsh realities it is sometimes the only thing left to hold onto.
Just like an elephant never forgets, a dog never ails to love. All they ask is the same in return.
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