Cancer in dogs: 5 signs you need to take your furry friend to the vet
Cancer is said to be the leading cause of death in dogs over the age of 10. With this in mind Review spoke to local vet, Johan Erlank, about the signs and symptoms that dog-lovers can look out for in their furry friend.
POLOKWANE – Cancer is said to be the leading cause of death in dogs over the age of 10. Dogs today have a better chance of being successfully treated should the disease be detected in it’s early stages.
With this in mind Review spoke to local vet, Johan Erlank, about the signs and symptoms that dog-lovers can look out for in their furry friend.
Read more: Health benefits of owning a pet
“Finding cancer in animals is much like finding cancer in people. The symptoms are very much the same,” Erlank explained.
He added that the most common cancer, especially in dogs, is malignant lymphoma (a tumor of the lymph nodes). “We also see large cell tumors, which is a form of skin cancer, mammary gland tumors breast cancer, and soft tissue sarcomas. We also see a fair amount of bone cancer in dogs,” he said.
Classic warning signs and symptoms in dogs from around eight years and onward.
• A lump or a bump.
• A wound that doesn’t heal.
• Any kind of swelling or enlarged lymph nodes.
• A lameness or swelling in the bone.
Abnormal bleeding.
“In come cases there are often little or no recognisable signs, at least in the early stages, so any time your dog isn’t feeling well, or there’s something abnormal or not quite right, the owner needs to bring it to the attention of their veterinarian. Looking at animal’s bloodline can help the early detection as with prior knowledge the veterinarian will know what specific issues to look out for,” Johan said.
Read more: Handy hints on what to feed your pets, and what NOT to
He added in closing that pets tend to live longer when kept active and fed a healthy diet, and urged dog-owners who believe that their animals might be sick, to take them to the closest vet as soon as possible to ensure that if there is a problem, that it can be detected as soon and the animal can be treated.
