Hearing that your pet has cancer can be devastating and conjure up thoughts of the worst possible outcomes. But with groundbreaking advances in cancer treatment for pets in recent years, your pet can have many years of a high quality of life, even after a cancer diagnosis.
Much like in humans, the cause of cancer in pets is still not known. That said, cancer cells develop due to damage to your pet’s DNA. Most commonly speculated causes involve damage from environmental factors, such as sun exposure, tobacco smoke, pesticides or other carcinogens. And for whatever reason, certain types of cancers are developed in certain breeds more often than others.
Although it is not as common in cats as dogs, cancers that develop in cats tend to be more aggressive. Dogs develop cancer at roughly the same rate as humans, with one in four dogs developing a tumor of some kind during her life. On the whole, cancer accounts for almost 50 percent of all disease-related pet deaths each year. However, it is more treatable than other diseases commonly found in older pets, like heart or kidney failure.
Common cancers in dogs are:
– Acute Leukemia — Lymphoid and Myelogenous
– Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
– Primary Lung Tumors
– Sarcomas, such as Soft Tissue, Histiocytic and Hemangiosarcoma
– Canine Lymphoma
– Canine Mammary Gland Tumors
– Thyroid Carcinomas
Common cancers in cats are:
– Acute Leukemia — Lymphoid and Myelogenous
– Feline Lymphoma
– Feline Mammary Gland Tumors
– Feline Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
– Feline Mast Cell Tumors
– Intestinal Adenocarcinomas
Treatment options for pets with cancer are very similar to humans, with chemotherapy, radiation and clinical trials being common methods. Studies of cancer in pets can also lead to better treatment for humans, and most of the knowledge and treatment in pet oncology comes from human oncology. Research focusing on pet cancer is continually progressing as with humans.
If your pet is diagnosed with cancer at any point in her life, there are multiple options for treatment and management. Contact us with any questions you may have or to learn more about cancer in pets.