Signs, Symptoms And Treatment Of Lung Cancer In Dogs
Like their owners, dogs can get lung cancer. Primary canine lung cancer, which may be a result of second-hand smoke and/or environmental pollution, is rare. More common is a lung tumor that has metastasized from cancer somewhere else in the body. Lung cancer can strike any dog, although it is most favorite in older dogs.
Lung cancer in dogs initially can be diagnosed with an x-ray. Malignancy may have to be confirmed with a biopsy.
Early-stage canine lung cancer usually has no symptoms. As the disease progresses, symptoms will begin to appear. Many of the symptoms of lung cancer in dogs are similar to those in humans. They include coughing, especially a chronic cough or a deep, harsh cough; coughing up blood; and breathing problems. Other symptoms might include unexplained fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss or fever. Anemia also can be a symptom.
If the cancer spreads, other symptoms may appear depending on the organs affected. For example, if the cancer spreads to the limbs, it may cause lameness.
Dogs with lung cancer should be seen by a veterinarian who specializes in oncology. She will be able to discuss the prognosis for the disease, treatment options and palliative measures.
For primary canine lung cancer in which the tumor is limited to the lungs, treatment may start with surgery to remove the tumor or as much of it as possible. Surgery may be following by chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment. Metastatic canine lung cancer, for which surgery is not an option, can be treated with chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment.
Also, hurt relief medication should be considered for a dog with lung cancer, even if there are no obvious signs that the dog is in pain. If the dog isn’t showing signs of pain, a collected hurt relief medication can be used, perhaps transitioning to a stronger narcotic harm medication if the dog begins to show clear signs of pain.
Unfortunately, the long-term prognosis for lung cancer in dogs is often not very good. Therefore, it is important to keep a dog with lung cancer as comfortable as possible and to watch for signs that the disease has progressed to the point that his quality of life is bad and he is beginning to give up the fight against his illness. These signs might include loss of appetite or a refusal to eat; loss of interest in playing or interacting; changes in normal habits, such as becoming reluctant to go outside to urinate or have a bowel movement or urinating in the house; and coarse lethargy.
Sources:
www.natural-dog-health-remedies.com, Lung Cancer in Dogs/Canine Lung Cancer Signs and Treatment
www.vetinfo.com, Lung cancers in dogs
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