Types of Cancer in Dogs

Lymphosarcoma is one of the most common types of cancers seen. It is also referred to as lymphoma or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In dogs, many different species develop Lymphosarcoma. Like any other cancer, this one can "metastasize", which means it can spread and affect other organs and tissues.

Most dogs get a type of Lymphosarcoma that originates the lymph nodes and usually the nodes under the jaw get swollen. Sometimes this is the only symptom your dog will have. But the jaw is not the only place where this disease can begin. Some forms of Lymphosarcoma begin in the bone marrow, the chest, abdomen, or even the skin.

RENAL LYMPHOSARCOMA

When the disease attacks the kidney first, the illness is called Renal Lymphosarcoma. The symptoms include drinking a lot of fluids and urinating a lot. Also vomiting can appear and also loss of appetite. The pet can even get depressed.

MEDIASTINAL LYMPHOSARCOMA

The Mediastinum is the tissue near the heart and lungs. The cancer creates a tumor there and the pet has hard time breathing and the lung accumulate fluid.

BONE MARROW LYMPHOSARCOMA: LEUKEMIA

When the cancer has started or reaches the bone marrow, then it is called Leukemia. The cancer affects the blood. The bone marrow's role is to create red blood cells that carry oxygen, white blood cells that destroy infection and platelets that help blood to clot. The cancer causes these types of cells to drop in numbers and it causes: infections, anemia and bleeding disorders.

DIAGNOSIS

The vets do a tissue biopsy to determine the disease. Is the microscopic analysis of the tissue reveals that the disease is present, a detailed exam follows. This exam will show if the disease has spread in other body areas. The vets call this "STAGING".

The diagnostic Procedures used to "STAGE" include:

- Different blood tests

- Cytology - analyzing cells in the large lymph nodes and taking a look at them under the microscope.

- X-Rays

- Ultrasound

- Bone Marrow Analysis

Staging helps the doctors figuring out the best way of treatment.

TREATMENT

More than 90 perfect of the dogs that get chemotherapy go into remission. This is not a cure but just a stage when quality of life is assured. A dog will normally have a stage of remission of about eight to ten months. Also, the dogs don't get as many side effects as humans do. Less than 5% of the dogs get side effects like diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness and lethargy.

The dogs don't lose their hair after chemo, like people do. Only a few breeds get these side effects: Poodles and Old English Sheepdogs). Usually even they only lose their whiskers.

CANCER DIETS

When a dog undergoes a cancer treatment, it must have a good diet with lots of vitamins.

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