Understanding Your Dog's Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis
What are the most common types of cancer in dogs that you see in the clinic?
We see a whole range of different cancers, but the most common ones are certainly lymphoma and mast cell tumors. We see all types, but those are the two most frequent tumors or cancer types that we encounter. They can appear in a variety of places in the body. Whether it's a splenic or liver mass, or in the skin or lymph nodes, the locations are wide and varied. However, mast cell and lymphoma are definitely the most common we see.
What causes cancer in dogs?
Cancer in dogs and any species is an immune-related problem. The conventional side of medicine and veterinary medicine often attributes it to genetic issues, chasing many DNA reasons for cancer starting in the body.
Beyond genetics, sure, you can be predisposed to cancer, but you also have epigenetic or environmental conditions that cause genes to be turned on or off. If the right environmental conditions aren't present, cancer may never start in the body or be allowed to exist.
Ultimately, it comes down to the immune system not doing its job to prevent abnormal cells from growing into a cancerous mass. The immune system itself has many support mechanisms that must function well for it to work effectively.
How an individual ends up with a cancerous mass is as unique as fingerprints on a human because there are countless ways deficiencies or dysfunctions can lead the immune system to fail in killing early abnormal cells. We all have abnormal cells developing in our bodies every day. If they get past the immune system and it doesn't do its job, we could potentially end up with a cancerous mass.
What are the signs of cancer in dogs?
The signs are varied. In general, early cancer may not show any signs at all, except perhaps detection of a swelling in a lymph node or during a physical exam, where a mass in the abdomen might be found.
As it progresses, there is generally pain and inflammation, but dogs are very good at hiding this, so signs might not be visible until it gets severe. They might show changes in behavior such as loss of appetite, decreased appetite, or weight loss.
Symptoms can also be specific to the organ system the cancer is affecting, like elevated liver enzymes in the case of liver involvement, or blood in the urine if it's in the urinary tract. Nerve tumors may cause neurological deficits, which could be detected as gait abnormalities or other neurological issues. So, the signs are very wide and varied with cancer.
What will a veterinarian do to diagnose my dog with cancer?
There are many ways to diagnose cancer. Some are less specific than others. On the conventional side, a physical exam, radiographs, or ultrasound might be used.
At referral centers, advanced imaging like MRI or CT may be done.
In my natural service, we do physical exams, radiographs, and ultrasounds, and I use various methods to diagnose cancer or at least determine the likelihood of its presence. There are some blood tests I use that are good markers for cancer; one is specific for lymphoma in dogs, and another is more generalized for any type of cancer. I also use biofeedback frequency, which can provide insight into conditions in the body that may allow cancer to exist, and we incorporate that into treatment.
What questions should I ask my veterinarian after my dog is diagnosed with cancer?
One of the first questions I would ask any veterinarian or physician would be, "What are you going to do to help my or my dog's immune system fight this cancer?" If they can't provide a good answer, I would not use them to treat the cancer. Most conventional approaches focus on chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, largely ignoring the immune system.
No matter how effective the treatment is at killing cancer cells, if the immune system isn't strengthened and functioning properly, the conditions that allowed the cancer to develop will persist, and the body cannot effectively eliminate any leftover cancer cells.
If my dog has cancer, will they need to see a specialist?
Yes. There are individuals who treat cancer without being specialists, but I consider myself a specialist in the natural side or integrative medicine. I recommend owners seek someone like me for the best approach to treating cancer.
If you're pursuing conventional methods like chemotherapy or radiation, you will likely need oncology support from a referral center or university setting. However, private practices with integrative medicine specialists, like myself, can address cancer and overall health, particularly focusing on getting the immune system to participate in killing the cancer.
What does a cancer diagnosis mean for my dog?
It depends on the stage of the cancer when detected, its type, and location. Some cancers, when detected, are in late mid-stage or end-stage progression, leading to a poor prognosis regardless of treatment. Quality of life and comfort are crucial in these cases, and a whole-body approach can achieve this from the natural side.
If detected early, the prognosis can be much better, and it doesn't necessarily mean a terminal disease. I always strive to detect cancer as early as possible and aim to prevent it from starting. The stage, type of cancer, and location will influence what it means for an individual dog.
What is the prognosis for dogs with different types of cancer?
Again, it depends on the stage, type of cancer, and location. For instance, if lymphoma is detected early, those dogs generally do well for a long time, especially if we're supporting the body and immune system while treating the cancer. By providing proper nutrition, we can starve the cancer by eliminating things it feeds on.
The prognosis varies based on the stage and location. For example, with lymphoma, it might be confined to a lymph node and not affect internal organs, allowing for a very good prognosis for many years.
What should I do if I notice any new bumps or lumps on my dog?
If you notice anything new, have it examined by a veterinarian to determine if diagnostics are necessary. External lumps and bumps are easier to diagnose now. We have a system that can scan lumps and bumps and provide a high degree of confidence regarding malignancy. Benign masses can still be problematic but are less likely to metastasize.
It's best to check early and monitor for rapid growth or changes in character. We'll measure size and record it to assess changes over time. If malignancy is indicated on a non-invasive scan, we may recommend a fine needle aspirate to evaluate if cells have cancerous characteristics. Detecting issues early improves prognosis, and early detection allows for better treatment and quality of life.
From the happiest years to the hardest moments, we are here for you and your pet. If you need support or would like to discuss your options, we want you to feel informed and comfortable every step of the way.