Just like human medicine, when your pup is diagnosed with cancer, oncologists are ready to provide multiple options to improve the health and quality of life of your furry friend, and extend their lifespan. Though a cancer diagnosis is scary, at TrueCare, your dog will be taken care of by a board-certified veterinary medical oncologist.
Top Five Most Common Dog Cancers
Hemangiosarcoma
Most often found in the dog’s heart and spleen, hemangiosarcoma is a very malignant tumor that can spread rapidly, and cause tumors elsewhere in the body. Many times, this type of cancer is in an advanced stage before it is diagnosed.
Lymphoma
Present in many places in a dog’s body, including the spleen, liver, lymph nodes, bone marrow, and gastrointestinal tract, lymphoma is a cancer of a type of lymphoid tissue and blood cells (lymphocytes).
Mast Cell Tumors
This type of tumor is a form of skin cancer. Mast cells reside in connective tissues, more specifically, the nerves and vessels that are close to the external surface – like your dog’s skin, nose, lungs, and mouth. If mast cell tumors are found, they will be graded according to the location of the skin, inflammation, and how well they’re differentiated.
Melanoma
A common type of cancer in dogs, melanoma is the most common malignant tumor found in a dog’s mouth. Skin tumors are also very common, though many are benign.
Bone Cancer (Osteosarcoma)
Bone cancer can affect any breed of dog, though it’s more often diagnosed in larger breeds.
What to Do if Your Pet is Diagnosed With Cancer
The goal of cancer treatment in pets is to provide the best quality of life for your animal. This is done concurrently with minimizing pain and side effects from medication so your dog can experience as close to the same lifestyle as possible as they did before their diagnosis.
After receiving a cancer diagnosis from your primary veterinarian, you’ll schedule a consultation with our oncologist. The TrueCare oncologist will perform a thorough examination, review your pet’s entire medical history, and perform any additional diagnostic tests to confirm the correct diagnosis, and be able to better direct you and your pet towards the proper therapeutic treatment.
We’ll give you a detailed, thorough explanation of your dog’s diagnosis, and answer all of your questions. We want you to feel secure in knowing that we’re all a team, and we’ll face your pet’s cancer together.
If you elect treatment for your pet, our oncologist will develop a customized plan that works in concert with any treatments they might be receiving for other conditions. We’ll explain the recommended options, and help you select the best course of action. We’ll also work with your primary vet to monitor your dog’s overall health and care, and everyone will be kept up to date at each and every stage of your pet’s treatment process.
Treatment Options for your Pet’s Cancer
Each diagnosis is unique, and so requires a unique treatment. At TrueCare, we offer creative care for each and every pet who comes to our animal hospital for treatment. We have a variety of treatment options including:
- Chemotherapy
- Palliative care
- Surgery/tumor removal
- Radiation (coming soon)
While a cancer diagnosis is scary, it doesn’t have to be debilitating for you or your pet. Early detection and unique treatment plans can help to create a positive outcome. Whether our TrueCare oncologist provides a cure, manages the disease, or gives palliative care, we’re here to partner and support you and your pet through this entire journey.
Contact TrueCare for Pets today to schedule your consultation.