Your Dog and Dog Cancer
What is Canine Cancer?
Symptoms, Types of Dog Cancer
Healthy Dog Cancer Foods!
What is Canine Cancer?
Symptoms, Types of Dog Cancer
Healthy Dog Cancer Foods!
When we first found out that Patches a (collie / lab mix), was diagnosed with a MAST-CELL TUMOR (CANCER). It was devastating for us, we were not sure of what we should do or even where to start. So we started investigating on-line and after many failed web sites and hours of research on the internet and books we finally found some great information. So I wanted to share with others what we had found out about mass cell tumors and Dog Cancer in general.
Hopefully this information will help someone reading this and their beloved friend.
On May 8, 2012 we had to make a decision that I hope none of you have to make. But our main concern was not that of our happiness, rather that of Patches quality of life. Finally diagnosed with Anal Sac Adenocarcinoma the tumor had metastasized and spread to the lymph glands and was creating (hypercalcaemia) high amounts of calcium. We had to let our friend go before any signs of pain set in and kidney failure occured.
Probably the first best thing we did was find a good HOLISTIC VETERINARIAN. Which I would recommend to anyone whose pet is suffering with Cancer. Our veterinarian is great. You want to find someone who genuinely cares about your pet. Do your research!
We were then advised to go with a natural diet and natural holistic healing.
She gave us some great information, about what to look for in food, and what pets with cancer actually need in their diets. So we started cooking all his meals and what a difference a good diet made. We took him off grain diet (dry manufactured food),And started him on lean meat and vegetables and fruit. Homemade Dog Cancer Food Recipes
There are several natural or holistic herbs and medicals out there for treating Dog Cancer. And some that you need to watch out for. Ask your veterinarian before administering any Herbs.
What I will be telling you in this and other articles, is what we have learned from research and trial and error so that hopefully you won't have to spend wasted time and money on something that will not work. I do not have any degrees in medicine, these are some things we have done and had great results. I would just like to return the favor that other people gave to help us.
In cancer, cells mutate and grow abnormally, often destroying the good cells. Cancer is not just one disease but several.
Some cancers attack the skin, while others may attack the bones, blood, organs and even the connective tissue.
Any organ or system within the body can harbor or host cancer. Some cancers are curable however most are not at this time. Although most cancers are not curable in some cases, there are natural medicines that work very well in the fight against cancer.
We are presently using a blend of medical mushrooms these have been around for decades. The Chinese have used these for years and have had great success using mediclinical mushrooms to fight cancer.
They are however being more widely used in the US over the past few years.
It is helpful to understand some of the types and meanings of these cancers.
Cancer does not have just one cause there are several
here are just a few suspects that may cause cancer in pets.
The warning signs of cancer in dogs can be very similar to that in people. A lump or a bump, a wound that doesn’t heal, any kind of swelling, enlarged lymph nodes, a lameness or swelling in the bone, abnormal bleeding. These are all classic signs. But sometimes there are little or no signs, one of these we found was soreness or a resistant to heavy petting or picking up. at least early on. So any time an animal isn’t feeling well, or there’s something abnormal or not quite right, you should bring it to the attention of your veterinarian.
* Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs and cats over ten years old.
Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers seen in dogs. In fact, we estimate that lymphoma occurs about 2 to 5 times as frequently in dogs than in people. Although there are breeds that appear to be at increased risk for this disease, lymphoma can affect any dog of any breed at any age. It accounts for approximately 20% of all canine tumors, and less than 80% of cancers originating from blood cells.
Most of the time, lymphoma appears as “swollen glands” (lymph nodes) that can be seen or felt under the neck, in front of the shoulders, or behind the knee. Occasionally, lymphoma can affect lymph nodes that are not visible or palpable from outside the body, such as those inside the chest or in the abdomen. In these cases, dogs may accumulate fluid in the chest that makes breathing difficult, or they may have digestive problems (diarrhea, vomiting, or painful abdomen). If left untreated, dogs with lymphoma will generally succumb to the disease within 3 to 4 weeks.
Treatment with prednisone (a corticosteroid) alone generally can induce short-lived remissions (usually less than 8 to 12 weeks), but frequently renders the disease resistant to further treatment. Durable remissions are achievable in lymphoma, so the disease is considered “treatable.”
Multi-agent chemotherapy consisting of L-asparaginase, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone, which is the standard-of-care for this disease, will induce remissions of 12 to 18 months in many cases. However, there are various subtypes of lymphoma that exhibit different behaviors, and some of the more aggressive types are unresponsive to any available treatment.
Female dogs are at high risk for developing malignant mammary tumors. Mammary tumors are the most common types of tumors in non-spayed female dogs. While 40 percent to 50 percent of these tumors are malignant, complete surgical removal is often curative.
Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common cancers found in dogs. Common sites are the mouth and the toes (nailbeds). Early detection and complete surgical removal is the treatment of choice and fewer than 20% develop metastatic disease. SCC of the tonsil and tongue are quite aggressive and fewer than 10% survive 1 year or longer despite treatment measures. More info: Squamous cell
A common malignant tumor in dogs is the mast cell tumor. Mast cells are immune cells that are responsible for allergies. Mast cells can be found in all tissues of the body but typically form tumors on the skin in close to 20 percent in the canine population. MCTs range from relatively benign to extremely aggressive, leading to tumor spread and eventual death. Particular breeds of dog are at risk for the development of this tumor, indicating a role for genetic factors.
Malignant histiocytosis (MH), while rare in people, occurs frequently in certain breeds of dogs including Rottweilers, Golden Retrievers, Flat-Coated Retrievers and Bernese Mountain Dogs. There is no reported effective therapy for this disease and nearly all patients die within two to four months of diagnosis. Recent work suggests Lomustine (CCNU) is helpful in extending pet survival.
Tumors in the brain may occur in dogs and cats as primary or as metastatic tumors. Epileptic-like seizures or other extreme behavioral changes may be the only clinical signs. CAT scanning will allow precise localization of these lesions. Surgical excision followed by radiation therapy is the indicated treatment if the tumor is in an accessible portion of the skull. Radiation therapy alone can control some inoperable tumors.
Bladder cancer occurs in dogs with some breeds, Westhighland Terriers, at higher risk than others. This is a slow developing cancer and pets may not show symptoms for 3 to 6 months. Once symptoms occur, urinary obstruction and bleeding is common. Piroxicam, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, palliates symptoms in most dogs for 3 to 9 months. In combination with various chemotherapy drugs this can be extended for 3 to 18 months. Radiation can be palliative in some.
source:National Canine Cancer Foundation:Web Site
It is helpful to understand some of the types and meanings of different cancers.
This is probably the most common but not all tumors are cancer and not all cancers are tumors. A tumor is defined as a swollen area in which an independent growth arising in tissue that grows independently of surrounding tissue.
This my be malignant or benign.
You may also here your veterinarian use the word neoplasm this is also an abnormal growth or tumor. For more on Neoplasm visit: medical-dictionary
These are two descriptions of how a tumor may act.
A benign or neoplasm means the tumor is in one place and will not spread past the tissue it is in, these can usually be removed with little difficulty, however just because a tumor is benign dose not mean that it can't be dangerous, they can cause problems depending on their location within the body.
Malignant on the other hand means just the opposite they will spread to other parts of the body (Metastasize) if not caught quickly.
The third type is intermediate malignancy it will spread locally but will not metastasize.
Sarcomas: are a type of malignant tumor that comes from connective tissue within the body not the skin, usually found beneath the skin. Def. by Wikipedia.
Adenomas: are tumors that are usually benign and found on the skin. Def.by Wikipedia
Carcinomas: are malignant tumors arising from skin cells and cells that line or cover different organs.
For more info: veterinarypartner.com
