• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Dog Care 101
    • Choosing A Dog
    • Dog Breed Selector
    • First Days At Home
    • Good Dog Names
    • Potty Training Dogs
    • Puppyproofing & Dog Safety 101
    • Invisible Fence Reviews
    • Dog Ages/Growth Stages
    • Senior Dog Tips
    • Raising Two Dogs
  • Food & Treats
    • Dog Food Kibble
    • Human Foods For Dogs
    • Changing Food & Feeding Tips
    • Homemade Dog Treats
    • Kong Recipes
  • Dog Health
    • Diarrhea Remedy
    • Human Meds For Dogs
    • Dog Skin Issues
    • Flea & Tick Control
    • Vet Tips For Sick Dogs
    • Emergencies & Vet Bills
    • Dog Surgery & Recovery
    • Dog Died …Or Is Dying
  • Tricks & Training
    • Cool Dog Tricks
    • Dog Communication 101
    • DIY Dog Training Tips
    • Behavior Problems
    • Puppy Biting & Chewing
    • Stop Dog Barking
    • Crate Training & Sleeping Advice
  • Dog Cleaning & Grooming
    • Dog Odors & Stains
    • Dog Shedding & Fur
    • Clean & Treat Dog Ears
    • Dog Baths & Deodorizing
    • Dog Nails & Paw Care
    • Teeth & Mouth Issues
    • How To Care For Dog Eyes
  • Toys & Activities
    • Dog Toys, Games & Enrichment
    • DIY Dog Items
    • Places To Go With Dogs
    • Dog Walking Tips & Accessories
    • Car Rides With Your Dog
    • Free And Fun Stuff For Dog Lovers
  • More
    • Electronics & Gadgets
    • Health & Beauty
    • Hobbies & Crafts
    • Home & Garden
    • Jobs & Money
    • Outdoor Fun
    • Travel

First Time Dog Owner Guide

Real People. Real Experiences. Real Helpful.

a Fun Times Guide site

search

  • New? START HERE!
  • DIY Grooming Tutorials
  • Dog Home Remedies
  • DIY Training Tips
  • Dog Food/Treats
  • Out & About w/Dogs
Home » Home & Garden » Dog Health & Wellness » Vet Tips For Sick Dogs » Coping With Dog Cancer: Treatment Options + Helpful Advice From Others Who’ve Been There

Coping With Dog Cancer: Treatment Options + Helpful Advice From Others Who’ve Been There

40 Shares
Pin20
Share20
Tweet

We write about products and services that we use. This page may contain affiliate links for which we receive a commission.


dog-with-cancer-by-perfectoinsecto.jpgYes, dogs get cancer, too. (My dog had a cancerous tumor removed recently.)

The National Canine Cancer Foundation estimates that 1 in 3 dogs will develop cancer. Of those, over half of them will die of cancer. It’s the #1 disease-related killer of dogs.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 50% of dogs over the age of 10 will die of cancer.

If you just recently found out that your dog has cancer, then you probably have a lot of questions.

First, take the time to educate yourself about the particular type of cancer that your dog has.

Start by asking your veterinarian to explain things to you — in detail. That’s what they’re there for!

My personal tip: Take a voice recorder with you. (There are FREE voice recording apps for all smartphones.) That’s what I did when my husband was diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer. Having the doctor’s exact words recorded made it easy for us to go back and replay at any time to refresh our memory on things.

 

Causes Of Dog Cancer: Signs & Symptoms

There are several different things that can lead to cancer in dogs.

For example, a dog sunburns can eventually lead to cancer — just as with humans.

Here are some very specific tips for preventing a dog sunburn, plus helpful information about dog skin cancer.

In reality, there are more than 40 different types of canine cancer. Each has its own unique cause and course of treatment.

Regardless of the type of cancer, there are some common symptoms that typically appear.

10 Early Warning Signs of Dog Cancer:

  1. Lumps and bumps – abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow
  2. Sores that don’t heal – or they heal, but keep recurring
  3. Weight loss – especially sudden weight loss at a time when your dog is not on a diet
  4. Loss of appetite – if your dog isn’t really interested in food, something’s wrong
  5. Bleeding or discharge – from any body opening
  6. Offensive odor – coming from your dog’s mouth or other parts of the body
  7. Difficulty eating or swallowing – dog acts differently around the food and water bowls than usual
  8. Lethargy – an obvious hesitation to exercise, or loss of stamina
  9. Evidence of pain – persistent lameness or stiffness
  10. Difficulty breathing – the same is true if you notice your dog having difficulty urinating or defecating

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association

If your dog is displaying one or more of the above signs, keep in mind that it could be due to many different things — not necessarily cancer.

But that’s one of the reasons that you should take your dog to the vet annually for regular checkups. It’s the absolute best way to avoid lengthy and costly cancer treatment should your dog be one of the 6 million dogs that are diagnosed with cancer each year.

Not all tumors or growths are cancerous. Sometimes they can be as simple as a mass of fatty tissue (also known as a lipoma). To be safe, see your veterinarian if you notice any lumps on your pet’s body … However, cancer can also affect parts of the body that you can’t see, like the blood or internal organs. That’s why it’s important to make sure your pet receives regular exams, so that problems can be detected and treated early. Source

 

Dog Cancer Treatment

The treatment chosen to help your dog will ultimately be determined by his age, his health and the type of cancer your dog has.

The 3 most common ways to treat cancer in dogs are:

  1. Surgery – Veterinarians will perform surgery on a tumor when it can be removed from a pet’s body without damaging other tissue.
  2. Chemotherapy – Dogs with cancer will be given toxic chemicals — usually intravenously — that are intended to kill the out-of-control, rapidly reproducing cancer cells, without damaging the slower-dividing healthy cells.
  3. Radiation Therapy – High doses of radiation are aimed directly at the tumor to shrink it or arrest its growth.

In addition, there are also Holistic Cancer Treatment options which involve supporting the immune and digestive system, allowing the body to fight the cancer on its own. Your dog’s diet plays an important role in this form of canine cancer treatment.

Be sure to explore those options ahead of time, as well as the common side effects associated with each.

In many cases pet cancer is treatable, but early detection & treatment is crucial to your pet’s outcome. With the help of ongoing cancer research, advances in veterinarian medicine, and organizations on the front line working to find a cure, there is hope. There are so many treatment options available, which not only help to treat the disease but improve your pet’s quality of life. Speak with your vet about these treatment options and do your research beforehand so you can ask any and all questions before making a decision. Source

Here’s how to reduce the cost of dog cancer treatment.

 

How To Cope When Your Dog Has Cancer

These are some of the best tips I’ve found for dealing with the emotional stress when your dog has cancer:

  • What To Do When Your Dog Is Diagnosed With Cancer
  • 15 Ways Dogs And Cats Tell Us They Are In Pain
  • What To Do When Your Pet Has A Terminal Illness
  • How To Get Financial Help For Emergency Vet Bills

Pet insurance is a fairly new and rapidly developing and changing business. There are many plans available, and almost all of them base their pricing on the age of the pet (when you purchase the plan) and pre-existing conditions. Many plans will cover the cost of chemotherapy and radiation treatments for exiting policy holders, but if your animal has already been diagnosed with cancer, likely those treatments would be excluded (for a period of time as determined by the company). The key with pet insurance is to read the policy carefully, ask questions when receiving the quote about what is excluded and be on top of claims that you do make to the company. The cost of veterinary oncology treatments can be high, so planning ahead by purchasing pet insurance when your pet is young can be beneficial, cost effective and can help ease the stress of decision making should you animal be diagnosed with cancer. Source

If you’re a friend or relative of someone whose dog has cancer, here are the Dos & Don’ts Of Helping A Friend Whose Dog Has Cancer.

 

How Dogs Cope When They Have Cancer

your-best-friends-journey-with-cancerI’ve learned some interesting things from reading these 10 inspirational stories of dogs living (and dying) with cancer…

  1. Newman’s Story: Living  With Canine Cancer
  2. Canine Cancer Stories
  3. Beanny’s Story: The Dog That Beat Bone Cancer
  4. 7 Dog Cancer Survivor Stories
  5. Pet Cancer Survivor: Vinnie’s Story
  6. Dog Nasal Cancer Stories On Facebook
  7. The Princess Diaries: One Dog With Cancer
  8. Dog Cancer Forum
  9. Oral Mast Cell Tumor Dog’s Insurance Story
  10. Jasper’s Story: A Vizsla Dog With Cancer

 

More About Dog Cancer

In addition to the links provided in the article above, these are the best resources if you want more information about canine cancer:

  • A Holistic Approach To Managing Lumps In Dogs
  • Helpful Facts About Dog Cancer
  • Understanding Malignant Tumors In Dogs
  • Managing Pain In Dogs
  • Animal Cancer Foundation FAQ
  • Dog Lumps And Bumps Explained
  • Canine Cancer: The Road From Despair To Hope
  • Pain Control For Dogs And Cats
Lynnette
Lynnette

I like to help Dog Parents find unique ways to do things that will save time & money — so I write about “outside the box” Dog Tips and Dog Hacks that most wouldn’t think of. I’m a lifelong dog owner — currently have 2 mixed breed Golden Aussies that we found abandoned on the side of the road as puppies. I’ve always trained my own dogs and help friends train theirs, as well. Professionally, I worked at a vet and have several friends who are veterinarians — whom I consult with regularly. (And just because I love animals so much, I also worked at a Zoo for awhile!) I’ve been sharing my best ideas with others by blogging full-time since 1998 (the same year that Google started… and before the days of Facebook and YouTube). My daily motivation is to help first-time dog owners be better prepared from the first day your new puppy enters your home. I like to help dog owners understand what’s ‘normal’ and what you can expect in terms of living with and training your dog — how to get through the ups & downs of potty training, chewing, teaching commands, getting your dog to listen, and everything else that takes place during that hectic first year! When I’m not training, walking, grooming, or making homemade treats for my dogs, you will find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites). To date, I’ve written over 600 articles for dog owners on this site! Many of them have upwards of 200K shares.

franklin.thefuntimesguide.com/the_face_behind_the_blog/

40 Shares
Pin20
Share20
Tweet

Filed Under: Dog Health & Wellness, Home & Garden, Vet Tips For Sick Dogs Tagged With: Canine Cancer Tips, Dog Injuries & Emergencies, Dog Surgery And Recovery, Pet Insurance, Veterinarian And Expert Dog Tips

Primary Sidebar

About Me

LynnetteI like to help Dog Parents find unique ways to do things that will save time & money -- so I write about "outside the box" Dog Tips and Dog Hacks that most wouldn't think of. I’m a lifelong dog owner -- currently have 2 mixed breed Golden Aussies that we found abandoned on the side of the road as puppies. I've always trained my own dogs and help friends train theirs, as well. Professionally, I worked at a vet and have several friends who are veterinarians -- whom I consult with regularly. (And just because I love animals so much, I also worked at a Zoo for awhile!) I've been sharing my best ideas with others by blogging full-time since 1998 (the same year that Google started... and before the days of Facebook and YouTube). My daily motivation is to help first-time dog owners be better prepared from the first day your new puppy enters your home. I like to help dog owners understand what's 'normal' and what you can expect in terms of living with and training your dog -- how to get through the ups & downs of potty training, chewing, teaching commands, getting your dog to listen, and everything else that takes place during that hectic first year! When I'm not training, walking, grooming, or making homemade treats for my dogs, you will find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites). To date, I've written over 500 articles for dog owners on this site! Many of them have upwards of 200K shares.

Lynnette: View My Blog Posts

Top Searches

Adopting/Rescuing A Dog Canine Cancer Tips Celebrity Dog Owners Chewing & Destructive Behavior Cleaning & Odor Tips For Dog Owners Clothing Shoes Hats & Accessories For Dogs Costs & Expenses For Dog Owners Death And Dying In Dogs Diarrhea In Dogs & Poop Issues DIY Dog Stuff Dog Allergies & Skin Issues Dog Behavior Issues Dog Breeds Dog Food Brands & Human Foods For Dogs Dog Games & Activities Dog Gear & Necessities Dog Grooming Tips Dog Injuries & Emergencies Dog Toys & Dog Chews Dog Tricks To Try Eye Issues With Dogs Feeding Tips For Dogs Fun Stuff For Dog Owners Holiday Dog Tips Home Remedies & Alternative Medicine For Dogs Humanizing Dogs Humor About Dogs Indoor Fun With Dogs Kong Dog Toys & Kong Recipes Labrador Retriever Dogs New Dog Owner Tips Old Dogs / Senior Dogs Outdoor Fun With Dogs Peeing And Housebreaking Tips Pet Hair And Shedding Pet Warnings And Dangers Pictures Of Dogs Reviews Of Dog Products Summer Fun For Dogs Travel Dog Tips Treats & Snacks For Dogs Veterinarian And Expert Dog Tips Videos Of Dogs Vomiting Dogs / When To Induce Vomiting Walking Tips & Leashes For Dogs

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Fun Times Guide logo
Shop Our Favorite Items

Copyright © 2004-2021 The Fun Times Guide | Privacy Policy | About | Contact | Sitemap