Surgeries in any pet come with risks. With dogs, surgeries on the sinuses can have more risks due to the location of the surgery and the condition or ailment that generated the need for the operation.
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Conditions
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Nasal tumors often require sinus surgeries, and are diagnosed when a dog experiences nose bleeds. These tumors account for up to 2 percent of cancers in dogs.
Treatment
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The most successful treatment for nasal and sinus tumors combines sinus surgery with radiation therapy, which will help eliminate any cancerous cells and prevent the condition from recurring.
Anesthesia Risks
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The greatest risks in nasal or sinus surgery are from the anesthesia, which in extreme cases can result in death. Risks also include labored breathing, heart problems, or lethargy, depending on the anesthetic used during the procedure. Because anesthesia also inhibits a dog's ability to regulate its body temperature, there is a risk of hypothermia if the dog is not kept warm until the anesthetic is out of its system.
Surgery Risks
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Because of the location of the sinus cavities, veterinarians are especially cautious with post-surgical bleeding, nausea or vomiting, dehydration, infections at the incision areas, and any changes in behavior. Many veterinarians will keep a dog for several days after a surgery to monitor for bleeding, swelling, and ensure the airway is functioning correctly.
Radiation Therapy
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Because nasal or sinus surgery treats tumors, radiation is used in conjunction with surgery in the treatment. Radiation risks and side effects include hair loss, sores in the mouth, brain damage, sores on the bridge of the nose that don't heal, and blindness. Despite the risks, radiation has the most success in treating sinus tumors.
Longevity
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Surgery and radiation therapy yield the best survival rates in dogs with nasal or sinus tumors. After treatment, dogs live an average of 1.5 years. Without treatment, dogs typically succumb to the tumors.
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