By Board Member, Penny Thompson
November is National Dog Cancer Awareness Month, a time to bring attention to a disease that touches far too many families. For those of us who love our dogs, they are not “just dogs.” They are family, companions, comforters, and sometimes the ones who get us through our hardest days. That is why learning about canine cancer and knowing what to watch for is so important.
I have learned through my own experiences with my dogs, Akamaru (Ru) and Natsu, that paying attention to the little things can make a big difference. Our dogs cannot tell us when something doesn’t feel right, so it is up to us to notice changes in their behavior, appearance, or daily routines.
What should you watch for?
Cancer can look different in every dog. Some common warning signs can include a new lump or bump, unexplained weight loss, changes in appetite, unusual tiredness, persistent coughing, difficulty breathing, wounds that do not heal, swelling, or changes in bathroom habits.
For my Akamaru, he started showing signs in his front paw pads, very much like how we humans get cracked heels. That is what was appearing between his paw pads. After a visit with our veterinarian, we opted to start him on a steroid to help his pads heal.
Fast forward just three weeks. His paw pads had healed, but I was starting to notice muscle atrophy in his skull muscles. We again visited our veterinarian, and this time, they suggested bloodwork to get a better idea of what was happening. His liver enzymes were off the charts, and his bloodwork showed that he had undiagnosed diabetes.
They kept him for an abdominal X-ray and called us back in to inform us that, unfortunately, his liver was full of nodules. Our veterinarian was so confident it was liver cancer, based on what he had seen in previous cases, that he said he would bet his career on it. He advised us to spend the next few days or weeks with Akamaru and that once the cracking in his paw pads returned, it would be time to consider euthanasia.
We got two more weeks with him. We nursed him, giving him Epsom salt baths about every two to three days to help keep his pain manageable.
With our Natsu, we had started to notice swelling in his left front wrist joint, which eventually caused him to limp. A trip to the veterinarian revealed that he had bone cancer.
Our veterinarian gave us a prognosis of five to six months without treatment and suggested amputation as an option. However, we were not interested in putting a large-breed dog through an amputation, having him learn to walk again, and hoping that the cancer had not already spread.
We nursed him and monitored him for six months before he began showing signs of increased pain and a decreased appetite. We scheduled euthanasia for this past December.
Of course, what I experienced with my boys does not automatically mean your dog has cancer. There can be many other reasons for these changes. However, if you notice something unusual or something that persists, it is always worth talking with your veterinarian.
Be your dog’s advocate
Regular veterinary visits are an important part of keeping our dogs healthy. Your veterinarian can perform physical examinations and help determine whether additional testing is needed. Early attention to a concerning change can help you understand what is happening and what options may be available.
Most importantly, know your dog. You know their normal personality, habits, appetite, energy level, and quirks better than anyone. Trust yourself when something seems different.
Love them through every season
National Dog Cancer Awareness Month is not meant to make us afraid. To me, it is a reminder to appreciate the time we have with our dogs and to be proactive about their health.
Whether your dog is a puppy, a senior, a rescue, or your lifelong best friend, take a few extra minutes this month to give them a good look-over, schedule that veterinary appointment you may have been putting off, and give them an extra hug.
Our dogs give us their whole hearts. The least we can do is give them ours—and be there to care for them through every season of their lives.
In loving memory of Akamaru and Natsu.
Akamaru
Natsu
