Cancer affects our furry family members more often than many pet parents realize. Each year, millions of dogs and cats receive cancer diagnoses, leaving families seeking answers and guidance. Understanding pet cancer helps us make informed decisions about our pets’ health and wellbeing during challenging times.
The good news is that veterinary oncology has advanced significantly.
Our parent hospital, Guardian Veterinary Specialists, has a dedicated oncology department offering state-of-the-art treatments. This gives our pets a better chance at a positive outcome.
Common Types of Pet Cancer Treated at Guardian Veterinary Specialists
Cancer can affect nearly any part of our pets’ bodies. While some cancers occur more frequently in certain breeds or species, understanding these various types helps pet parents stay vigilant about their companions’ health. Here are the most common types of cancer veterinarians diagnose in pets:
- Mammary Cancer: Most common in unspayed female dogs and cats, appearing as lumps in the mammary tissue along the belly.
- Mast Cell Tumors: These skin tumors frequently affect breeds like Boxers and Pugs, varying from harmless-looking bumps to aggressive growths.
- Melanoma: Typically appears in areas of pigmented skin or in the mouth, particularly aggressive in dogs when found in oral cavities.
- Multiple Myeloma: A cancer of plasma cells that impacts bone marrow, often causing weakness and bone pain.
- Nasal Tumors: More common in long-nosed breeds, causing symptoms like nosebleeds and difficulty breathing.
- Nerve Sheath Cancer: Develops along nerve pathways, often appearing as lumps under the skin that may cause pain or weakness.
- Oral Tumors: Can develop in the gums, tongue, or roof of the mouth, often noticed first during dental cleanings.
- Osteosarcoma: An aggressive bone cancer primarily affecting large dog breeds, typically appearing in leg bones.
- Squamous Cell Cancer: Usually develops in areas with less fur and more sun exposure, particularly common in white-coated animals.
- Thyroid Cancer: More frequent in older cats, often appearing as a noticeable lump in the neck area.
- Bladder Cancer: Typically affects middle-aged to older pets, causing symptoms like difficult urination and blood in urine.
- Brain Tumors: Can cause behavioral changes and seizures, more common in short-nosed dog breeds.
- Fibrosarcoma: A soft tissue cancer often linked to injection sites in cats, appearing as firm lumps under the skin.
- Gastrointestinal Cancers: Can affect any part of the digestive tract, often causing symptoms like vomiting and weight loss.
- Hemangiosarcoma: Develops in blood vessels, commonly affecting the spleen and heart, particularly in German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers.
- Hepatocellular Cancer: Primary liver cancer that can cause enlarged abdomen and decreased appetite.
- Leukemia: Affects blood-forming cells in bone marrow, leading to reduced immune function and fatigue.
- Lung Cancer: Can be primary or spread from other locations, causing coughing and breathing difficulties.
- Lymphoma: Affects the lymphatic system throughout the body, commonly seen in middle-aged cats and dogs.
Recognizing Warning Signs
Identifying potential cancer symptoms early gives our pets the best chance for successful treatment. Many signs of pet cancer resemble those of other health issues, making professional evaluation essential. The key lies in knowing what changes deserve immediate attention.
Here are the most critical warning signs to watch for:
- Unusual Lumps or Swelling: Any new growths that persist longer than three weeks need evaluation
- Changes in Appetite: Significant increases or decreases in food consumption warrant investigation
- Unexplained Weight Loss: Sudden weight changes without dietary changes raise concerns
- Difficulty Breathing: Labored breathing or persistent coughing requires immediate attention
- Behavioral Changes: Notable shifts in energy levels or daily routines deserve assessment
Modern Treatment Options at Guardian
Advanced veterinary medicine offers numerous approaches to treating pet cancer. Treatment plans consider various factors, including the cancer type, stage, and your pet’s overall health status. Veterinary oncologists work closely with families to develop personalized care strategies that maximize effectiveness while maintaining quality of life.
Molecular Tumor Profiling
This cutting-edge diagnostic tool analyzes the genetic makeup of cancer cells, allowing veterinarians to understand the specific characteristics of each tumor. Using advanced laboratory techniques, molecular profiling identifies mutations and abnormalities driving the cancer’s growth.
This detailed information helps veterinary oncologists select the most effective treatments targeting these specific genetic changes, leading to more precise and potentially more successful treatment outcomes.
Chemotherapy
Unlike human chemotherapy, veterinary protocols focus on maintaining quality of life while fighting cancer cells. Modern veterinary chemotherapy uses carefully calculated doses that minimize side effects while effectively targeting cancer cells.
Most pets continue their normal activities during treatment, with many experiencing only mild side effects like temporary decreased appetite or energy levels. Treatment sessions typically occur every few weeks, allowing pets to spend most of their time at home with their families.
Melanoma Vaccine
This innovative immunotherapy treatment specifically targets melanoma cancer cells by training the pet’s immune system to recognize and fight these dangerous cells. The vaccine represents a significant advancement in treating oral melanomas, particularly in dogs.
Regular boosters help maintain the immune response, potentially extending survival times and improving quality of life for pets with this aggressive cancer type.
Stelfonta Treatment
Stelfonta represents one of the newest additions to veterinary oncology’s treatment arsenal. This injectable medication specifically targets mast cell tumors, one of the most common skin cancers in dogs.
The treatment works by attacking the tumor’s blood supply and stimulating the pet’s immune system to help destroy cancer cells. Often requiring only one or two treatments, Stelfonta can eliminate visible tumors while avoiding the need for surgery in many cases.
Conclusion
Professional veterinary oncologists bring specialized expertise that can make a crucial difference in pet cancer treatment outcomes. These specialists complete extensive training beyond standard veterinary education to master the complexities of cancer care and stay current with the latest treatment advances. At Guardian Veterinary Specialists, Dr. Sue Ettinger (“Dr. Sue Cancer Vet®”) demonstrates this expertise through her “See Something, Do Something Why Wait? Aspirate.” initiative, which emphasizes the importance of early detection for successful treatment.
Veterinary oncologists understand how to balance effective cancer treatment with quality of life considerations, creating personalized care plans that address both the medical needs of pets and their families’ concerns. If you suspect that your pet may be suffering from this life-threatening condition, contact our parent hospital, Guardian Veterinary Specialists at 914-704-3400.
