No pet owner wants to hear a beloved companion has developed a tumor. After the emotional blow, it's important to talk to your vet and get as much information as possible about what you are facing and how to best help your dog. This article provides a general overview of nasal tumors and their treatment. Be aware that every dog and tumor are different, and the treatment options you and your vet select might vary.
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The Basics
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Nasal tumors account for only 1 to 2 percent of all canine tumors. While they might become large enough to involve the nose tissue, they rarely spread to other parts of the body. Unfortunately, nasal tumors also are almost never benign. Most nasal tumors originate in the cells that form the nostrils' lining, but cells of the nose's supportive and lymph tissue can also cause nasal tumors.
Risk Factors
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Age and gender do not seem to be significant indicators of the development of nasal tumors. Dogs with long, narrow heads (dolichocephalic) have a higher risk of developing them than those with short, broad heads (brachycephalic). Dogs that tend to breath more through their mouths, such as pugs, also seem less likely to develop nasal tumors. Breeds particularly prone to nasal tumors include basset hounds, collies, Airedale and Scottish terriers and golden and Labrador retrievers. Exposure to tobacco smoke, burning kerosene, coal combustion and flea spray increase the risk of nasal tumors.
Symptoms
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Tumors sometimes are large enough to be seen and quite obvious. Symptoms of less obvious nasal tumors include sneezing, reduced air flow, mucous and other nasal discharge, weight loss, lethargy, reverse sneezing and facial swelling. Depending on their location, nasal tumors can also cause eye problems, including discharge, eyeball protrusion and blindness. Some dogs also experience neurological issues such as seizures, changes of behavior and decreased mental capacity. These usually occur only in the late stages of cancer but can happen earlier.
Diagnosis
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Blood samples are often taken but rarely provide information regarding potential nasal tumors. Your vet will likely take X-rays, which might help determine if there is a tumor or mass present, but nasal cells need to be examined to determine if a tumor is malignant or benign. Cells might be flushed out of the nose or obtained via biopsy. More than one biopsy might be needed depending on the technique used.
Treatment
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Benign nasal tumors are rare but can usually be surgically removed with few complications. Most nasal tumors are cancerous and, if left untreated, are usually fatal in two to five months. Treatment with chemotherapy has not been shown to improve the survival rate. Radiation therapy provides the best chance of prolonging the dog's life, both with and without surgery. Cancerous tumors are usually surgically removed. Radiation therapy begins after the dog has healed, usually in two to three weeks. It consists of 12 sessions over four weeks. Your dog will lose the hair around his nose and will have redness and oozing at the site for a few weeks. When the treatment is over, the fur will grow back and the dog's lifespan will hopefully have been extended by a year or more.
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