It is helpful, therefore, to get ourselves familiar with some common symptoms of dog cancer, and at the same time, learn about some other more common disorders that may cause similar signs.

The following signs are often shown by dogs suffering from cancer. However, they may be caused by some other forms of illnesses as well.

Lumps and Bumps

Different forms of cancer (e.g. lymphomas, mast cell tumors, fibrosarcomas) can arise as lumps and bumps on a dog’s skin.

Fortunately not all bumps and lumps are cancerous. Very often, benign growths such as warts, fatty tumors, cysts, etc. can arise in a dog’s skin as well. Usually, any lumps and bumps that appear, then decrease in size or even disappear, and finally reappear in a larger size are more likely to be cancer than benign lumps. However, the only way to tell for sure whether a lump is cancerous or not is by a quick and painless process called fine needle aspiration.

Coughing and Sneezing

While coughing and sneezing are common symptoms of dog cancer, there are also quite a few other dog illnesses that have the same symptoms. Acute coughing is usually caused by some kind of allergies or infection (e.g. kennel cough), while chronic coughing may be caused by heartworm infection, fungal infection of the lung, or heart disease. Sneezing can also be the result of allergies. However, if the sneezing is accompanied by a bloody nasal discharge from only one side of the nasal cavity, and it has been ruled out that there are no foreign bodies (e.g. foxtail) trapped up the dog’s nasal cavity, then cancer should be suspected.

Vomiting and Diarrhea

Chronic disorders of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract such as vomiting and diarrhea can be symptoms of dog cancer of the GI tract, or cancer anywhere else. There are, however, several dog illnesses that can cause the same symptoms. The most common one is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and another possibility is Addison’s disease. It is important to have an early diagnosis of whatever disease the dog is suffering, since chronic inflammation of the GI tract may eventually progress to cancer.

Appetite Loss

Appetite loss is also one of those symptoms of dog cancer that is indistinct, as many other diseases (e.g. dental or gum diseases, IBD, heart disease, kidney disease, to name just a few) can cause appetite loss in dogs as well. Also, older dogs tend to eat less. If you notice that your dog is suddenly losing his appetite, try to look for and convey any other accompanying symptoms to your vet so that a proper diagnosis can be made at the earliest possible time.

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When deciding on the best cancer treatment for dog patients, it is important to understand that each dog is different and should be treated as such. There is no one cancer treatment program that is perfect for all dogs. Even dogs with the same type of cancer may receive different treatment programs. Perhaps the most important questions to consider (together with our veterinarian) are:

• Which treatment provides the highest chance for cure?
• Which treatment ensures the dog’s quality of life?
• Which treatment is the best choice for the dog parents? (factors to consider – costs, emotional stresses, time)

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I had a family member who fought it for many years before losing their battle, a younger family member that died at the age of 15 after having been diagnosed less than 2 weeks before, giving little time for us to come to grips with the realization of the fact that she indeed had cancer.

I have had dogs die from cancer, one with the rare, and very fast growing blood fed cancer Hemangiosarcoma, which took my dog Jazz.  See story here: In Memory Of Jazz

It breaks my heart when I hear someone has cancer, human or animal.

Often the only choice for your dog is surgery, chemotherapy, or to let things progress and dread the day you will have to help your dog pass on to relieve pain and suffering.  Surgery and chemo often fail and you face the same end as if you had done nothing.

If you are worried about the diagnosis and putting off testing don’t.  If you don’t know what you are facing you can’t help your dog.  If you think there is nothing you can do to help your dog, you’re mistaken.  If you aren’t facing this issue currently, then get pet insurance now so money is never an issue if it happens.  Research the different companies and policies that cover cancer as well as breed specific issues your dog may face in the future.

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