Nasal cancer is rare in dogs and often affects animals 10 or older. It affects medium to large breeds more often and especially breeds with long noses. Nose cancer accounts for about 1 percent of all tumors affecting canines.
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Types
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Two types of nasal cancer affect dogs. Nasosinal cancer affects the interior of the nose (the nasal cavity) while nasal planum cancer affects the exterior of the nose.
Symptoms
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Symptoms of nasal cancer include nasal discharge, bleeding from the nose, loss of smell, loose teeth, facial deformity, sneezing, difficulty breathing, pawing at the face and eye discharge.
Diagnosis
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To diagnose nose cancer in a dog, a veterinarian will perform a physical exam, CT scan or X-rays and take a biopsy of the affected tissue.
Treatment
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Treating nasal cancer in a dog often involves surgery (rhinotomy) and radiation therapy. For dogs with cancer affecting the exterior of the nose, sun exposure must be avoided.
Prognosis
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With treatment, some dogs have the potential to live two years or more. The median survival rate for dogs suffering from nasal cancer is about one year.
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