Just like humans, cancer also affects animals. If you keep a dog as a pet, you need to know that cancer is very prevalent in dogs that have reached old age. Since pets cannot talk, they will have trouble telling you what they are going through. The only thing that you can do as a pet owner is to learn a few things about veterinary oncology so that you are prepared for any eventuality. By recognizing the signs of cancer in your dog, you can take the appropriate intervention measures to get for it treatment and to ensure that the dog is comfortable as it battles with the cancer.
There are many vets that specialize in veterinary oncology, and you should find one to teach you a little about cancer in animals. When an animal has cancer, the cells mutate and grow abnormally and even destroy the good cells. Cancer can attack various parts of the body including the skin, bones, blood, and the various organs in the body. There are several signs of illnesses that you can notice in dogs that may be indicative of cancer. Of course, if your dog is showing these signs, it does not necessarily mean that they have cancer. If you notice these signs, you should seek professional help from a renowned veterinary oncologist for proper diagnosis.
If you have some knowledge on veterinary oncology, you should know that lumps and bumps appearing on the dog should be taken seriously. If you notice that the lumps appear and grow quickly, or they disappear and come back larger then you need to get concerned. There are also those lumps that change color and start bleeding. All these may be indicative of cancer in the dog, and you should see a veterinary oncologist straight away to confirm the diagnosis so that appropriate intervention can be taken early enough to minimize the suffering that the dog is going through.
If your dog has always had a steady weight for a long period then it suddenly gains weight without any reasonable explanation, this may also be cause for further investigation. There may also be unusual abdominal enlargement, giving the dog a potbellied appearance. If you notice that the dog’s testicles are swollen or infected, or there is a change in the urinary habits, you should investigate further. Look out for urinary incontinence or blood in the urine. These are just a few common symptoms that you may notice and there are many others. A vet who has specialized in veterinary oncology will know all the signs and symptoms to look for in an animal that has cancer. You should therefore not hesitate to seek the help of these veterinary oncologists.
