Cancer in Old Dogs

It may seem intrinsically unfair that your beloved canine companion, who has a short enough life span as it is, and who has never done anything but love you unconditionally, is now facing a battle with cancer. Unfortunately, cancer in old dogs is not so uncommon. In fact, it's the leading cause of death among old dogs, according to the Canine Cancer website.

  1. Definition

    • Cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the body of a dog. Dogs, particularly old ones, are susceptible to a wide variety of cancers, including carcinomas, which are malignant tumors that appear on surface lining tissues; sarcomas, which are tumors from supportive tissue like bone and muscle; and leukemia, which affects white blood cells.

    Role of Age

    • Cancer can occur at any age; however, the likelihood of a dog getting cancer increases significantly with age. Some believe that cancer in dogs is becoming more prevalent partly because dogs are living longer thanks to advances in veterinary medicine and owner awareness of the importance of healthy diet and wellness checks.

    Warning Signs

    • As dogs age, they slow down. Their minds lose some acuity and their joints don't move as easily. For this reason, it may be possible to miss the signs of cancer, attributing them to old age instead. Some common signs of cancer that may be mistakenly attributed to old age are weight loss, lethargy and persistent lameness. While different types of cancers have different symptoms, some warning signs that a dog has cancer that are clearly not age related are abnormal swellings, bleeding or discharge from any opening of the body, sores that refuse to heal, changes in behavior and difficulty going to the bathroom or breathing.

    Prognosis

    • If your aging dog exhibits any of the above-mentioned symptoms, take him to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Many other, less serious conditions mimic some of those symptoms. Even if your older dog is diagnosed with cancer, the diagnosis is not a death sentence. Advances in veterinary medicine have made it possible for many older dogs to beat cancer. Treatments can include radiation, surgery and chemotherapy.

    Considerations

    • Even a puppy will be a senior before you know it. Taking your dog to the vet regularly for wellness checks can help catch cancer before it spreads throughout his body. The older a dog is and the more advanced the cancer is, the poorer his chances of survival will be. Additionally, when it comes to very elderly dogs that may also have other health issues, your vet may ask you to consider whether putting him through the stress and pain of cancer treatment is in the dog's best interest. Be prepared to talk about how to give your elderly dog the best quality of life during his last days, and if and when euthanasia will be considered.