Symptoms

• A dog's journey through cancer generally begins when a pet guardian notices symptoms of disease in the pet.
  
  The symptoms a dog will exhibit depend upon where in its body the cancer is, what type of cancer it has and what stage the cancer is in.
  
  The American Veterinary Medical Association has identified 10 common signs of cancer in pets. These signs include areas of swelling, tumors or masses that appear on your pet's body and continue to grow or don't go away. Other symptoms are sores that don't heal, weight loss, loss of appetite, bleeding or discharge from any body opening, offensive odor, difficulty eating or swallowing, unwillingness to exercise, loss of stamina, persistent lameness, persistent stiffness, difficulty breathing, and difficulty urinating or defecating.
  
  

Diagnosis

• If cancer is suspected, your veterinarian will do a physical examination of your pet. Following the physical examination, the doctor will likely order complete blood tests, a chemical profile and a urinalysis. Other diagnostic tools include X-rays, ultrasounds, CAT scans, MRIs and biopsies.
  
  

Treatment

• Treatment of canine cancer depends upon where in the dog's body the cancer is, whether the cancer has spread to other areas of the pet's body, what type of cancer is causing the dog's illness and the stage to which the cancer has progressed.
  
  Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are used in combination or alone to treat some canine cancers. For other cancer, amputation of a pet's limb may provide a cure.
  
  When there is no cure, palliative care is prescribed. The veterinarian and the pet guardian can provide the dog with medications and accommodations to make it as comfortable as possible and to improve its quality of life for as long as possible.
  
  In some instances, euthanasia is recommended.
  
  

Pain Management

• Provide a soft, warm, quiet place for your dog to rest. Provide your pet with nutritious food and special treats, such as warmed chicken broth. Handle your pet gently and give it extra attention and love.
  
  

Prognosis

• Prognosis for a dog diagnosed with cancer can range from very good to very poor depending upon the type and stage of the cancer. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for a good prognosis for almost every type of cancer that afflicts canines. With some cancers a simple surgery to remove a tumor means the dog will live a long and healthy life. In other instances, the veterinarian can offer no hope and recommends euthanasia as the only humane action.