Cancer
Just like people, dogs can get different kinds of cancer, but one thing is common – cancer involves cells in the body that grow uncontrollably, invade surrounding tissue, and may spread to other areas of the body. Cancer will develop in approximately 1 in 4 dogs and in almost half of the dogs over the age of 10. Some of the most common types of cancer in dogs are listed here, together with how the PetPace technology can help.
Lymphoma, or lymphosarcoma (LSA), involves an overgrowth of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that circulates in the bloodstream and plays an important role in the body’s immune system. Although lymphoma can affect any organ of the body, it primarily appears in lymph nodes, spleen, and bone marrow.
The most common symptom of LSA in dogs is an enlarged, firm, non-painful lymph node. The easiest lymph nodes to locate and feel are prescapular (front of chest), submandibular (under the jaw), and popliteal (behind the knees). Dogs with LSA may also experience weight loss, decreased appetite, swelling of the face or limbs, increased thirst and urination, and a myriad of other symptoms related to the body area or organ affected.
Since lymphoma is a systemic (not localized) disease, it is usually treated with a course of chemotherapy. Remission can often be achieved in well over 50% of dogs. Unlike chemotherapy for people, the goal of chemo treatment in dogs is to preserve quality of life, and patients often experience fewer side effects compared to people.
Breeds
Some breeds have a higher likelihood of developing lymphoma, including Chow Chow, Basset Hound, Scottish, Airedale Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, Golden Retriever, English Bulldog, German Shepherd, Beagle, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard, and Poodle.
How can PetPace help?
The PetPace system may help in early detection of illness and identification of treatment side effects:
- Decreased Wellness score
- Deviations from the Health Profile
- Decreased activity score
- Increased daily average pulse
- Decreased daily average HRV
- Elevated temperature
Dogs have 10 mammary glands along the abdomen and chest. If the glands are swollen, firm, or enlarged, this may indicate the development of cancer. Mammary tumors occur most commonly in unspayed female dogs or dogs that were spayed after having 2 or more heat cycles. Although about half of these tumors are benign, any lump should be examined by your veterinarian.
Dogs with mammary tumors may show tenderness, warmth, redness, or pain at the location of the tumor, lethargy, decreased appetite, weight loss, weakness, and possibly coughing.
Malignant mammary gland tumors usually require surgery to remove the lump in its entirety. Chemotherapy and radiation may be added if the tumor is very large, has been incompletely removed in surgery, or has already spread to other parts of the body. Benign tumors can most likely be left untreated but should be monitored for any changes in appearance.
Breeds
Breeds at risk for developing mammary gland tumors include boxers, Cocker spaniels, English springer spaniels, Dachshunds, toy and miniature Poodles, and German Shepherds.
How can PetPace help?
The PetPace system may help in early detection of illness and identification of treatment efficacy:
- Decreased Pain score
- Decreased Wellness score
- Deviations from the Health Profile
- Decreased activity score
- Changes in posture routine – decreased time spent laying on the stomach
- Increased pulse rate
- Decreased HRV
- Elevated temperature
Osteosarcoma is a malignant cancer that originates from bone cells. Although any dog breed can develop osteosarcoma, large and giant breeds are more commonly affected. Osteosarcoma is locally invasive, causing destruction of some areas of the bone and overgrowth in others. It also frequently metastasizes or spreads to other sites, such as the lungs.
Since most cases of osteosarcoma involve the limbs, a common symptom is lameness. Other symptoms include swelling, decreased appetite, pain, elevated heart rate, and coughing.
Breeds
Breeds predisposed to osteosarcoma include Boxers, Doberman Pinschers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherd, Great Danes, Greyhounds, Irish Setters, Irish Wolfhounds, Rottweilers, Scottish Deerhound, and Leonberger.
How can PetPace help?
The PetPace system may help in early detection of illness and identification of treatment efficacy:
- Decreased Pain score
- Decreased Wellness score
- Deviations from the Health Profile
- Decreased activity score
- Changes in posture routine – decreased time spent laying on the stomach
- Increased pulse rate
- Decreased HRV
- Increased respiratory rate
- Elevated temperature
Mast cell tumors (MCT) are the most common form of skin cancer in dogs. Mast cells are part of the body’s immune system and are involved, among other things, in an allergic response. MCTs typically appear as small, red, firm, solitary, hairless skin masses and are easily mistaken for warts or insect bites. One unique characteristic of MCT is that sometimes, they can repeatedly decrease in size and then grow back.
Mast cell tumors may not cause any symptoms. Nevertheless, it is important to notify your vet of any new skin lump you find on your dog. In some cases, MCT will have symptoms caused by a strong allergic reaction triggered by the cancerous cells: swelling, redness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and even collapse.
MCTs are usually surgically removed and sent to a lab for evaluation of their grade or level of aggressiveness. Pending the results, your veterinarian may recommend adding chemotherapy or radiation.
Breeds
MCT is more common in the Boxer, Pug, Pit Bull / Bull Terrier, Boston Terrier, Bulldog, Retriever breeds (such as Golden Retriever), Rhodesian Ridgeback, Weimaraner, and Schnauzer breeds.
How can PetPace help?
The PetPace system may help in detection of allergic reactions and monitoring for treatment side effects:
- Increased pulse
- Decreased HRV
- Decreased activity score
- Decreased Pain score (e.g. after surgery)
- Elevated temperature
Splenic tumors are common, especially in older dogs. The spleen, which is located in the abdomen, stores and produces red blood cells, among other things. Because of that, tumors in the spleen, even if they are benign, may rupture and cause internal bleeding, resulting in a life-threatening emergency.
Hemangioma and hemangiosarcoma are two of the most common tumors found in spleens. Hemangiomas are benign, while hemangiosarcomas are malignant. However, both may cause internal bleeding and differentiating between them is often not possible without surgical removal. Common signs of spleen tumors or bleeding include lethargy, decreased appetite, weakness, collapse, pale gums, swollen abdomen, and irregular heartbeat.
Breeds
Any dog can develop splenic tumors, but older, larger breed dogs, such as the German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Boxer, Standard Poodle, Bernese Mountain dog, and Flat-Coated Retrievers, are at higher risk.
How can PetPace help?
The PetPace system may help in the timely detection of general illness and internal bleeding:
- Decreased Pain score
- Decreased Wellness score
- Deviations from the Health Profile
- Decreased activity score
- Changes in posture routine
- Increased pulse rate
- Decrea
- sed HRV
- Increased respiratory rate
