Signs of Cancer in DogsCancer rates are increasing in dogs. Keep on the look out for signs of cancer in your doges with the following symptoms, and consult with your vet:

Lymphoma is reported to be the most frequent life-threatening cancer in dogs. In this cancer, cells (lymphocytes) become cancerous in one or more lymph glands at which location they form tumours called lymphoma. Lymphoma can affect the digestive system, resulting in lethargy, vomiting and diarrhoea. It can also affect the liver inducing lethargy, vomiting, and a yellowish tinge may be seen on the gums and skin.

Tumors of the mouth, lips and tongue are relatively common in dogs (and in cats). These tumors often bleed before they are noticed, and that is why we have placed that at the top of our list.

Tumors may occur anywhere in the abdomen, are also relatively common, and these would cause the signs of cancer in dogs listed in items 2 and 3 of our list. Exploratory surgery is likely to be needed, to confirm the presence of cancer and in such cases sometimes allows an attempt at removal, at the same time as the diagnosis is made.

Our final listed sign of cancer in dogs is testicle swelling and infection, in which case examine your dog closely for soft or hard lumps that may be enlarging his testicle. It is not the most common cancer in dogs, but can occur.

Bone tumours also occur in dogs and are mostly very malignant. The signs for these are swelling, pain, heat, and lameness (if the tumour is located in the bone of a limb). Leukaemia occurs when cancer starts in bone marrow, or moves into the bone marrow. When that occurs, it affects the blood. Of course, an active dog may show these signs and more often than not, they do not indicative of a tumor, although they could.

Dogs can develop cancer of the bladder and those exposed to flea and tick dips, or to flea and tick shampoos, develop bladder cancer more often than pets that don’t use these products. Also, ingestion of petroleum (benzene, toluene, xylene) are widely considered to be the primary cause of bladder cancer.

High calcium levels may be a further sign of cancer in dogs. It is reported that pets with high calcium levels should be examined for tumors, if no other cause of the elevated calcium is apparent from the dog’s medical history and physical examination. A rather worrying cause of elevated calcium for dog owners can be Vitamin-D rodenticide poison.