Pets & Lung Cancer

Your pet's lungs are essential to the regulation of oxygen and carbon dioxide in its body. If malignant tumors form on the lung's tissues, lung cancer is the diagnosis. Although lung cancer is a rare diagnosis for dogs and cats, some are affected by it. Recognizing the symptoms early may improve your pet's chances of survival.

  1. Rare for Cats and Dogs

    • Lung cancer is very rare in cats and dogs. It represents less than 1 percent of all cancer in dogs and even less than that in cats. Usually lung cancer affects older pets and is a result of tumors that have spread from other areas.

    Symptoms

    • You may notice that your pet has a persistent cough that may or may not be accompanied by mucus and blood. It may be lethargic and show less interest in regular activities. It may not be able to walk or run as long as usual. You may notice breathing problems and a loss of appetite. These symptoms can last for several weeks to several months.

    Causes

    • Lung cancer in pets, as in humans, can be caused by exposure to second-hand cigarette smoke. Also, pets that live in urban areas may be exposed to more carcinogens and pollutants that may cause lung cancer. The precise causes for lung cancer in cats and dogs have not been extensively studied.

    Diagnosis

    • There are several ways to diagnose lung cancer in your pet. X-rays of the chest area will usually show any abnormal masses or growths on the lungs. Your vet may also use blood tests and needle aspirations to arrive at a diagnosis.

    Treatment

    • If there is a single tumor that is isolated, surgical removal of it is the best option. After surgery, your vet may also prescribe chemotherapy. If cancer is present in other organs and has metastasized, surgery may be ineffective, so radiation and chemotherapy may be the only options.

    Prognosis

    • Your pet's prognosis depends on factors such as the stage of the cancer, the size and quantity of tumors present and how severe the symptoms are at the time of diagnosis. If there is a small mass and the cancer has not metastasized, 50 percent of pets will survive one year. This is only after surgical removal of the tumor. If your pet's lung cancer is metastatic, meaning the cancer started in other areas of the body and spread to the lungs, the prognosis is poor and the expected survival time decreases.