It is always alarming when you detect a tumor on your dog. Small, large, hard or soft, tumors usually evoke a sense of fear. Tumors can appear almost anywhere on a dog and may or may not physically bother it. Tumors are not always indicative of cancer; however, cancer is seen in about 1,100 out of every 100,000 dogs, according to Dog-Health-Guide.org. Caring for a dog that has tumors is a matter of providing comfort and treatment, if needed.
Things You'll Need
- Pain medication
- Appetite stimulants
Instructions
Take your dog to the veterinarian for an evaluation. The only way to know if a tumor is malignant or benign is through a biopsy. The veterinarian may be able to perform a cytology in which a needle is inserted into the tumor and cells are withdrawn. The cells are then viewed under a microscope to look for signs of cancer.
Allow the veterinarian to remove the tumor. A tumor should be surgically excised to determine if it is cancerous if a cytology is not possible. In addition, the doctor should remove the tumor if it physically impedes the canine. For example, if the tumor is in a location that prevents a dog from walking, lying down or any other necessary movement, it should be removed. If the tumor proves to be benign, there is not much an owner need do to care for the dog, except to watch the suture line for any signs of infection and remove the stitches when necessary.
Have the veterinarian take radiographs if the tumor is malignant. Radiographs can identify if the tumor has metastasized, or spread, to other parts of the body. Cancer can potentially spread to the lungs, bone or chest.
Determine if your dog is a good candidate for chemotherapy or radiation if it has cancer. You must also decide if treatment is something you want to pursue. Chemo and radiation are typically expensive, with radiation costing anywhere from $900 to $3500 in 2010, according to PetEducation.com, and can drain a dog, both emotionally and physically. In addition, cancer treatments are not always effective and it may not be worth putting your dog through the treatments if the chances of success are not high.
Administer pain medication to your dog if it has cancer. Pain medications in the form of patches and oral pills are typically effective in treating discomfort associated with cancer. Your goal is to keep your dog comfortable for as long as possible and to prevent any pain from forming.
Give your dog an appetite stimulant if it has cancer and does not want to eat. Appetite stimulants are often effective in encouraging a dog to eat; however, more aggressive treatments, such as feeding tubes, are sometimes necessary. If your dog does not want to eat, but has a functioning digestive tract, it has the potential to starve itself to death.