Neoplasia means "new growth," but the meaning is not optimistic. It refers to a new tumor or cancer. The symptoms of neoplasis vary with the location of the disease. If your dog displays any of the signs or symptoms listed below, get him to the veterinarian at once. Don't panic - some of these signs and symptoms mimic other, less serious diseases. Signs indicate what you or the vet see, and are more objective, while symptoms are subjective and experiential. Early detection and treatment of neoplasia may mean a better outcome for your pet.
-
Hepatic Neoplasia
-
Hepatic neoplasia, or liver tumors, generally occur in dogs over ten years old. Signs and symptoms include vomiting, jaundice, lack of appetite, weakness, breathing difficulties, weight loss, and a distended, sensitive abdomen. Most liver cancer is metastatic, meaning it originated in another organ and spread to the liver. According to Dr. Erika Papp, in "Hepatic Neoplasia (Liver Tumors) in Dogs," only two percent of liver cancers are primary, and are usually hepatocellular carcinomas, which are malignant, or hepatocellular adenomas, which are benign. Definitive diagnosis is by liver biopsy.
Treatment includes surgical removal of tumors, partial liver removal, chemotherapy, and IV therapy. . Dogs with liver cancer have been known to live for several years after diagnosis and treatment.
Gastrointestinal Neoplasias
-
These types of cancers are located throughout the gastrointestinal tract, including the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, and anus. Dogs seven years old and up are most vulnerable, and certain breeds, such as collies and Belgian shepherds, are more prone to these cancers, according to Dr. Bari Spielman in "Gastrointestinal Neoplasia in Dogs."
Dogs with mouth cancer may experience bleeding, bad breath, drooling, and difficulty eating. Stomach cancer symptoms include vomiting, along with signs such as lack of appetite, and dark, tarry stools. Cancer in the small intestine has similar signs to stomach cancer, with additional symptoms of diarrhea and excess flatulence. In large intestinal and rectal cancer, dogs may strain while defecating, with blood or mucus present in the feces.
Kidney Neoplasia
-
Fortunately, kidney neoplasia is rare in dogs. Unfortunately, when it does occur, it is usually aggressive. As with most cancers, it primarily affects middle-aged and older dogs.. Signs of kidney cancer include weight loss and blood in the urine, while symptoms include lack of appetite and lethargy. Diagnosis is by urinalysis. Treatment may include surgery, but the prognosis for this type of neoplasia is not good, as the tumors often re-grow.
-