Head Tumors in Dogs

Head or brain tumors affect dogs of any age, although older dogs are more susceptible. Tumors can be primary, meaning they originated in the brain, or secondary, meaning they originated elsewhere in the body and spread to the brain. Brain tumors cause dogs' behavior to change, but some types of tumors are treatable.

  1. Types

    • Types of brain tumors in dogs include meningioma, glioma, choroid plexus papilloma and pituitary adenoma, according to North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Meningioma is the most common and is often treatable. Gliomas are common with short-nosed breeds like the pug and the English bulldog. Choroid plexus papillomas are small but cause severe neurological signs. Pituitary adenomas cause Cushing's disease in dogs, but do not cause any other neurological signs.

    Identification

    • Symptoms of a tumor affecting a dog's head or brain include loss of learned behavior, depression, increased or decreased appetite or thirst, constant pacing or circling, decreased awareness, decreased vision, unexplained aggression, loss of bladder control, labored breathing, failure to recognize familiar people, pain and seizures, according to the Canine Cancer website. Seizures can either occur alongside other symptoms or be the only symptom present.

    Diagnosis

    • Diagnostic tests for a possible canine brain tumor include a basic blood panel, chest radiographs and a CT scan or magnetic resonance image, according to veterinarians at Mar Vista Animal Medical Center in Los Angeles. The CT scan or MRI allows the veterinarian to locate the tumor in the dog's brain. The MRI recognizes fluid buildup, swelling, cysts, bleeding and other soft tissue changes inside the brain, whereas the CT scan does not.

    Treatment

    • Treatment of a canine brain tumor might consist of surgical removal, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or palliative care, according to North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Surgical removal can cure the disease if the entire tumor is removed, though that is rare. Removing most of the tumor eases the neurological symptoms by decompressing the brain. Radiation therapy slows the rate of growth of most types of brain tumor. Chemotherapy is not always effective on brain tumors but might treat a glioma if radiation therapy is not an option. Palliative care is a last resort when the brain tumor is advanced and untreatable. Palliative care options include anti-seizure medication and steroids to make the dog comfortable.

    Warning

    • The bigger and more advanced the brain tumor, the worse the prognosis for the dog. Behavioral changes like sudden aggression and loss of sight are serious and require veterinary treatment. Although radiation therapy prolongs the dog's lifespan in the majority of cases, a late-stage tumor might be untreatable, according to North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine.