Sometimes called renal neoplasia, kidney cancer occurs when cells located on a dog's kidneys begin to grow uncontrollably, creating tumors. Veterinarians rely on a number of treatments for canine kidney cancer to prolong a dog's life as long as possible.
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Prevalence
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Canine kidney cancer can develop in animals at every age and in all breeds, but one variety, multifocal cystoadenocarcinomas, is most common in German shepherds between the ages of 5 and 11, reports the Merck Veterinary Manual.
Symptoms
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Symptoms of canine kidney cancer include weight loss, depression, loss of appetite, lethargy, bloody urine and abdominal swelling. Dogs may not show signs of the disease when it first begins.
Treatment
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The most common treatment for canine kidney cancer is removing the affected kidney. For an uncommon type called lymphosarcoma, the use of chemotherapy medications is the most common treatment.
Prognosis
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Dogs that undergo the removal of a kidney for the treatment of cancer typically survive for six months to one year after the procedure. When caught early, dogs may live as long as three to four years after treatment, but this is rare.
Considerations
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Surgery and chemotherapy for canine kidney cancer can become quite costly. As a result, some pet owners opt for euthanasia rather than treatment, particularly in older dogs or those with advanced-stage cancer.
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