If you were to step foot into the waiting room of a veterinary oncology specialist—that is, a veterinarian who specializes in cancer in dogs—you wouldn’t expect a room full of puppies. In fact, research finds that dogs with lymphoma average between six and nine years old.
Unfortunately, like their human counterparts, young dogs can and do get cancer—a revelation which often comes as a shock. No pet owner expects to hear that their puppy, vibrant and full of life, has been diagnosed with a life-threatening disease.
According to a British study, the most common tumor found in a biopsies of younger dogs is the cutaneous histiocytoma, which accounts for nearly 90% of tumors in pediatric canines. A histiocytoma is a benign tumor, or an abnormal growth on the skin of cells that are part of the immune system. They appear as a mass on the skin akin to a raspberry or strawberry.
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Being benign, histiocytomas can regress spontaneously. However, if they are ruptured, bleeding, or exposed in a place of high contact such as the paw, your vet may have to remove it surgically.
Mast cell tumor (MCT): Mast cell tumor in dogs, are the most common skin tumor, representing a cancer of a certain blood cell typically involved in the body’s response to allergens and inflammation. Mast cell tumors can also affect other parts of the body: the spleen, the liver, the gastrointestinal tract, and bone marrow.
Lymphoma: Accounting for 15 to 20% of malignant tumors in dogs is lymphoma, a cancer of lymphocytes. Chemotherapy has proven successful with this cancer, adding months, even years to a young dog’s life.
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Osteosarcoma: The most common bone tumor found in dogs, osteosarcoma can affect any breed but is found most often in larger dogs. This disease is very aggressive and tends to spread rapidly into other parts of the dog’s body. There is no known prevention of this disease today, and though treatment options are available, the general prognosis is poor.
When puppies receive their first series of vaccinations, lumps can form at the site of injection. This occurs when the immune system goes on the defense by sending a collection of immune cells to the injection site. Normally, a lump of this sort will dissipate in a week or more.
Warts, or papillomas, are not malignant, but their resemblance to small cauliflower tumors on the skin are reason enough for concern. Papillomas are caused by an infection from a virus, and can become so severe that they attack in droves around the mouth or face of an infected dog.
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Despite their looming presence, your dog’s maturing immune system will eventually contain the infection and ward off the warts without a visit to the vet.
If you suspect your young dog has cancer, see your vet for confirmation. Not only will you gain a better understanding of the disease, but your vet can also point you to guides or groups for support.
Now is the time to read up on the cancer and possible treatments so you can feel ready to take it on alongside your best friend.
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Your dog will look to you for cues on how to react and behave, so managing the disease with a clear mind is key. Whether it’s a support group, reading material, or a second opinion you seek, getting ready and in a clear state of mind will only help you and your pup in the long run.
Analyzing a plan of treatment is the next step. Your vet will go over a variety of treatments with you to extend your dog’s quality of life. Many vets will opt for aggressive treatments at this stage as cancer in young dogs can be aggressive, itself.
Finding out your young dog has cancer is never easy. With the proper plan and understanding, your pup has a much better chance at an extended, quality life.Cancer is a word that strikes fear in the hearts of dog owners. As human cancer deaths rise in the United States, you may wonder if a similar phenomenon is happening in our canine companions. According to veterinary oncologist Dr. Stacy Binstock, estimates show that 25%-33% of dogs will have cancer at some point in their lives. It is the number one cause of death in older dogs. Those are sobering statistics. The good news is that you can help with early cancer detection and early treatment of your dog.
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Vaccine appointments. A visit is needed for a thorough physical examination. Your veterinarian will check your dog’s weight, vitals, lymph nodes, heart and lungs, palpate the abdomen, and perform a rectal exam. These are all essential to early detection of illness. Weight loss may be the first sign and can be easy to miss at home. Secondly, as your dog ages, your veterinarian will likely recommend bloodwork, urinalysis, and other diagnostics. These can detect changes in organ function, possibly indicating cancer.
Types of cancer in dogs are varied and include skin, orthopedic, blood, and bone malignancies. As a result, the symptoms differ wildly and depend on which system is affected. The four most common cancers and their clinical signs are listed below.
Lymphoma. This is a frequently diagnosed cancer in dogs. It can originate in the lymph nodes, bone marrow, or organs like the spleen. The first signs may be very vague and often include large knots that are palpable under the jaw, behind the elbows, and behind the knees. These are all locations of lymph nodes that can enlarge with cancer. Other symptoms may include lethargy, weight loss, and increased drinking and urinating.
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Osteosarcoma. This is a type of bone cancer seen often in large breeds such as Great Danes and Wolfhounds, although it can occur in any breed. Osteosarcoma typically grows silently at the end of a bone (called the diaphysis) until the bone is severely weakened. Early symptoms may include swelling and tenderness. Often, there are no symptoms until the tumor destroys the bone enough to cause a fracture. When this happens, your dog may suddenly be unable to walk on the affected leg and demonstrate signs of severe pain.
Hemangiosarcoma. Another type of cancer that often has no obvious clinical signs is hemangiosarcoma. These tumors can grow anywhere—on the skin or in the spleen, liver, or other internal organs. In dogs, it is most frequently encountered in the spleen, liver, or heart. Usually, no signs are noted until the tumor grows very large and ruptures. This sudden, catastrophic rupture leads to internal bleeding, weakness, and collapse.
Mast cell tumor. Boxers are especially prone to these skin malignancies. Mast cells are normally found in the skin and react when an allergen is introduced. They are filled with histamine and other substances that are released in an allergic reaction, leading to the formation of hives. Unfortunately, cancer can arise from these cells. The hallmark of an MCT is a growth on the skin that waxes and wanes in size and character. They can be small and “quiet, ” or they can become large, inflamed, and weep fluid.
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Always observe your dog carefully for any changes. Any skin masses or lumps that you palpate should be checked out by your veterinarian sooner rather than later! Remember, early detection is critical in catching and treating cancer.
Phoebe, my little foster mama, is a car-chaser, and, unfortunately, we have a perfect property for her to practice her passion. I live on...The waiting room of a veterinary cancer specialist is pretty much a geriatric zone. The commonly treated cancers in adult dogs and cats include lymphoma, osteosarcoma and mast cell tumors. Research shows the average age of cats with lymphoma is 9 to 12 years and the average age of dogs with the same disease is 6 to 9 years. The numbers for osteosarcoma and mast cell tumors for older pets stack up similarly.
Just as I see in our companion animals, most human oncologists also consider human cancer to be largely a disease of middle-aged to older adults. However, according to the American Cancer Society, children can and do get cancer. The most common forms of the disease in children are leukemia, brain tumors, lymphoma and osteosarcoma. There are also a group of malignant (cancerous) tumors in children that arise from immature cells. Rare in adult humans, these tumors have the ominous suffix “blastoma” at the end of their name: neuroblastoma (involving the nervous system), nephroblastoma (involving the kidney) and retinoblastoma (involving the eyes). One has to wonder, if children can get cancer, then what about puppies and kittens? Are there signs we should be on the lookout for in our pets — even the youngest ones?
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What We Know About Puppy and Kitten CancersNot much is written about tumors in pediatric dogs and cats (those less than 1 year of age). My big, fat veterinary oncology textbook does not have a chapter on the subject, nor is it listed in the index. Using a search engine for medical information, I found very little on the topic of pediatric dog and cat tumors. As a veterinary cancer specialist, I see only a select few pediatric tumors since a
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