Dogs with cancer, symptoms?

Sonja · 26-10-09, 18:35

If a dog has cancer and has a lump on their neck, back etc would the dog become ill soon after the lump had appeared or could the cancerous lump be there for months or years before symptoms started to develop?
I don't even have a dog, i was wondering was it the same as it is for humans.
Isn't it biopsy??

gud ole kuntry boy · 27-10-09, 08:46

I would never leave a lump alone and just wait and see for months or years if it is cancerous!! When I find a lump of any kind I take the dog to the vet and if he thinks it may be cancer, he takes if off and does an autopsy. I do not risk my dogs' lives Waiting to see if there are symptoms.

Memphis Belle · 11-11-09, 19:46

The first symptom of ill health in my previous Dobermann was a steep decline in his stamina. He would usually play frisbee for 40 minutes, but tired after no more than 10 minutes. I then noticed a mass at the base of his shoulder & took him to the vet.

My local veterinary surgeon suspected cancer & took a sample of the mass. The news was not great & my dog needed an urgent referral for a specialist opinion from an oncologist. The visible mass for just the tip of the iceberg & the cancer had been developing for months undetected.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fallonbrooke/3048772084/

Very possible for cancer to be developing for months, but not years.

ratlover1 · 12-11-09, 16:37

It would depend on the type of cancer. An aggressive, rapidly metastasizing cancer will cause other symptoms more quickly than one that doesn't metastasize or spreads slowly.
Also, some lumps are benign, and won't cause problems.
Bottom line: if anything unusual develops with your pet, get them to their vet.

added: Not too dissimilar from humans. Yes, a biopsy would be taken of the mass and sent off to a lab for pathology, where a boarded veterinary pathologist would determine exactly what the mass is. Then there would be different options, depending on the type of cancer, such as surgical removal, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy, or a combination.
The animal may show no signs other than that visible mass. If it gets large or is in a place where there is friction, (such as the groin, or under an arm) then it can be uncomfortable or even painful. Some masses will ulcerate and drain. If cancer metastasizes, it can cause other problems such as GI upset, lethargy, and lung disease (usually noticed by coughing or trouble breathing).

26-10-09, 18:35	#1
Sonja Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 5	Dogs with cancer, symptoms? If a dog has cancer and has a lump on their neck, back etc would the dog become ill soon after the lump had appeared or could the cancerous lump be there for months or years before symptoms started to develop? I don't even have a dog, i was wondering was it the same as it is for humans. Isn't it biopsy??

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27-10-09, 08:46	#2
gud ole kuntry boy Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 18	I would never leave a lump alone and just wait and see for months or years if it is cancerous!! When I find a lump of any kind I take the dog to the vet and if he thinks it may be cancer, he takes if off and does an autopsy. I do not risk my dogs' lives Waiting to see if there are symptoms.

11-11-09, 19:46	#3
Memphis Belle Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 24	The first symptom of ill health in my previous Dobermann was a steep decline in his stamina. He would usually play frisbee for 40 minutes, but tired after no more than 10 minutes. I then noticed a mass at the base of his shoulder & took him to the vet. My local veterinary surgeon suspected cancer & took a sample of the mass. The news was not great & my dog needed an urgent referral for a specialist opinion from an oncologist. The visible mass for just the tip of the iceberg & the cancer had been developing for months undetected. http://www.flickr.com/photos/fallonbrooke/3048772084/ Very possible for cancer to be developing for months, but not years.

12-11-09, 16:37	#4
ratlover1 Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 4	It would depend on the type of cancer. An aggressive, rapidly metastasizing cancer will cause other symptoms more quickly than one that doesn't metastasize or spreads slowly. Also, some lumps are benign, and won't cause problems. Bottom line: if anything unusual develops with your pet, get them to their vet. added: Not too dissimilar from humans. Yes, a biopsy would be taken of the mass and sent off to a lab for pathology, where a boarded veterinary pathologist would determine exactly what the mass is. Then there would be different options, depending on the type of cancer, such as surgical removal, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy, or a combination. The animal may show no signs other than that visible mass. If it gets large or is in a place where there is friction, (such as the groin, or under an arm) then it can be uncomfortable or even painful. Some masses will ulcerate and drain. If cancer metastasizes, it can cause other problems such as GI upset, lethargy, and lung disease (usually noticed by coughing or trouble breathing).