Vaginal Cancer in Dogs

There is a chance that a tumor may form in the vaginal area if your dog. The tumor may not be malign, but there always is a small chance that it could be. There are symptoms associated with canine vaginal cancer and treatment options are available.

  1. Background

    • According to DogTime.com, vaginal tumors are the second most common canine female reproductive tumor and make up 2.4 percent to 3 percent of canine neoplasia. Vaginal tumors are formed in the muscle tissue of the dog. These tumors may either be benign or malignant.

    Susceptible

    • There are certain factors that can cause a dog to be more susceptible to tumors. These factors include the dog being unspayed and having never given birth. Mature dogs also are more susceptible.

    Symptoms

    • There are specific symptoms associated with a dog having vaginal cancer. These symptoms can include vulvar bleeding or discharge, painful urination, blood in the urine, a vulvar mass, difficulty defecating, excessive licking of the vulvar area and leakage.

    Treatment

    • The main treatment for a dog that has vaginal cancer is surgery. The surgery involves removing of the dog's ovaries and its uterus. Other treatment options, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, aren't commonly used and aren't known to be effective in treatment.

    Warning

    • If you believe your dog has vaginal or any other type of cancer, speak to a veterinarian immediately for the best treatment options and have your dog checked out. Early detection with any form of cancer is important in treatment effectiveness.