By Clare Bristow
In this article I shall describe five common cancers found in dogs, including some of the symptoms of these cancers. (And toward the end of the article, you’ll find research and information on the role Poly-MVA for Pets may play in integrative cancer protocols.)
The prognosis for the cancers I mention is not particularly good; the figures are broad generalizations, but they do highlight how important it is to detect and treat cancer as early as possible to give your dog every chance of a successful recovery or good remission prospects.
Cancer can be divided into two broad categories, defined below.
1. Carcinomas – These are malignant growths made up of epithelial cells (these are the cells that cover the lining of any body surface – such as skin, bladder and blood vessels) that pass into the surrounding tissues and give rise to metastases (the spread of cancer cells).
2. Sarcomas – These are malignant tumors that originate from connective tissue (such as bone, cartilage, muscle, blood vessels and lymph tissue). There is usually a prefix that describes the tissue of origin, for example, osteosarcoma is cancer of the bone.
Here is a list of five of the most common forms of cancer in dogs, and their symptoms:
1. Lymphosarcoma (Lymphoma)
This cancer is associated with your dog’s lymphoid system, which is an important part of his immune system. Lymphoid tissue is found in many parts of the body including the lymph nodes, liver, spleen and skin. The most common form of lymphoma in dogs is the multricentric form that occurs in the lymph nodes.
A major symptom of lymph node cancer is swelling of the lymph nodes, and there are five major lymph nodes that you can feel on your dog. Speak with a very about locating these.
Other forms of lymphoma will show symptoms such as vomiting, weight loss and lack of appetite (gastrointestinal form), shortness of breath (chest form) and single or multiple lumps in the skin or in the mouth (skin [cutaneous] form).
Middle-aged to older dogs (aged approximately seven to ten years) are more prone to lymphoma, and no breed is particularly susceptible. This cancer can be very aggressive, and if left untreated the prognosis is a matter of weeks. With treatment, your dog’s life can be extended by several months to a year.
2. Hemangiosarcoma
This cancer originates from the cells that form your dog’s blood vessels. It can occur in any part of your dog’s body, but is mainly found in the spleen, liver, heart and skin.
The first sign of the cancer being present is usually a ruptured tumor, and because the tumor is formed from blood vessel cells, it is often full of blood.
If the tumor is in the liver or spleen, the ruptured tumor will cause anemia and weakness in your dog through the loss of blood. If the tumor is present in your dog’s skin, then a lump may be felt under the skin, and if it’s in the bones then a swelling of the bone may be felt.
Hemangiosarcomas usually occurs in older dogs, and some breeds seem to be predisposed to it – Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Portuguese Water Dogs and Skye Terriers.
The tumors aren’t usually detected until their late stages. In internal organs this is usually when the tumor has ruptured, and the prognosis is poor; less than 50% of dogs will survive more than 6 months. Survival rates are better when the cancer occurs in the skin because it can usually be detected and treated earlier.
3. Osteosarcoma
This is cancer that originates in your dog’s bones, more usually in the limbs but can occur in any part of the skeleton.
The symptoms include lameness, pain in the bones, swelling, and reluctance to exercise. Ninety percent of osteosarcomas spread to the lungs, and so your dog may show symptoms such as coughing and difficulty in breathing too.
Large dog breeds are more prone to osteosarcoma – Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Great Pyrenees, Newfoundlands, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Irish Wolfhounds in particular. Heavily built dogs such as Rottweilers, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Dobermans, Weimaraners, and Boxers are also at an increased risk.
Unfortunately this cancer is rarely detected before it has spread from the bones to other parts of the body. The prognosis is often poor; less than 50% of dogs will survive more than a year.
4. Mammary Carcinoma
Mammary tumors are the most common tumor in female dogs that haven’t been spayed – the risk of your dog developing this cancer is almost eliminated if she is spayed before her first season.
Provided the tumor is detected early enough, this cancer can usually be successfully treated. The symptoms are a solid mass or numerous swellings in the mammary glands; they tend to start off small and grow quickly grow in size.
As the cancer can spread to other parts of your dog’s body, any unusual swelling in the mammary glands should be investigated by your vet as soon as possible so that any malignant tumor can be treated.
5. Mastocytomas (Mast Cell Tumors)
Mast cells form part of the body’s tissue and play a role in the body’s immune system. Mastocytomas are most commonly seen in the skin, and can spread to the lymph nodes, spleen, liver and bone marrow. Not a great deal is known about this form of cancer – because it does not occur in humans, less research has been undertaken.
Symptoms include raised masses on or under the skin – single or multiple lumps, which may be smooth, bumpy or ulcerated. Your dog may also show a lack of appetite, vomiting and abdominal pain.
These tumors usually occur in older dogs. The prognosis depends upon how far advanced the cancer is; broadly, if the tumor is on your dog’s limbs then he has a better prognosis than if the tumor is in the nail bed, genital areas and mouth. Mast cell tumors in the internal organs usually have a poor prognosis.
In conclusion, there are many forms of cancer, and each is a disease in its own right which has its own specific treatment and prognosis. Inform yourself about these and other canine health risks but doing your own research (online, talking with other dog owners, etc) as well as talking with your veterinarian about your specific pet’s needs and potential issues.
How Poly-MVA May Help Support Your Pet
Palladium Lipoic Acid Complex (referred to as PdLA and available in supplement form as Poly-MVA and Poly-MVA for Pets) has shown a remarkable history in research for supporting various types and levels of cancer patients because it targets basic cellular functions that support the body and healthy cells. That research is detailed below, and notable is the fact that a majority of the most common canine cancers have seen positive results when PdLA is a part of an integrative cancer protocol:
• The largest clinical integrative cancer investigation of PdLA was a veterinary oncology program, with over 900 dogs enrolled since its inception in January 2004. Patients received the PdLA supplement as part of their chemotherapy, radiation and/or surgical protocol. The PdLA seemed most effective in the cases of solid tumors (i.e. soft tissue sarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, mast cell, transition cell carcinoma, lung, anal sac carcinoma, renal carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, fibrosarcoma, melanoma, menigioma, neuroblastoma, mammary adenocarcinoma). Some of the most effective findings were apparent in the osteosarcoma patients. (Notable is that the cause/origin of osteosarcoma in large dogs is considered identical to the disease progression in humans.) In this study, integrative PdLA support (PdLA + amputation) improved the animals’ median survival time 62% (103 days more) compared to surgery alone. When the PdLA supplement was added to the chemotherapeutic regimen, the dogs exhibited a 27% longer median survival (79 days more).
• A leading veterinary oncologist used PdLA in his practice and concluded that following PdLA complementary support, chemotherapeutic animals demonstrated improvements in various objective parameters (i.e. weight, anemia, liver and kidney function).
• In addition to the above enhanced clinical parameters, a subjective owner Quality of Life Survey resulted in an 86% improvement following the addition of PdLA adjunctive support.
To learn more about the benefits of Poly-MVA for Pets, as well as pet owner and veterinarian testimonials, please visit our website at www.polymvaforpets.com or give us a call at 866-POLY-MVA.
