Lung Cancer in Dogs

Lung cancer can be a really life-threatening condition for dogs. It can be of two types, primary lung cancer and metastatic lung cancer. Cancer that originates in the lungs is known as primary lung cancer. In primary lung cancer, the cancerous tumors develop in the lung itself, and they are generally, either carcinomas or hemangiosarcomas. On the other hand, in metastatic lung cancer, the cancerous tumors develop somewhere else in the body, and then spread to the lung. Though primary lung cancer is rare, it is very common for the cancer of the other parts of the body to spread to the lung, and cause metastatic lung cancer.

Causes of Canine Lung Cancer

Till now, no exact cause has been ascertained. However, it is believed that, exposure to secondhand smoke like tobacco smoke can be an important factor, that can lead to the development of tumors in the lung. Additionally, it has been observed that, the incidence of lung cancer is slightly higher for dogs living in an urban environment. So far, no dog breed has been found to have a predisposition for developing this cancer. But still, it is found to be more prevalent in the dogs, that have a short or medium nose. It is suspected that, as their nose is not long, the secondhand smoke can easily enter their lungs to cause the development of tumors.

Symptoms of Canine Lung Cancer

In the early stage of the disease, the affected dog may not exhibit any clinical sign or symptom. However, as the disease progresses, the following symptoms can be observed:

• Chronic cough, usually non productive, but sometimes with mucus and blood
• Breathing difficulty or dyspnea, caused by the compression of the trachea by the enlarging tumor
• Lameness, when the cancer spread to the limbs
• Lethargy and unexplained fatigue
• Weight loss
• Loss of Appetite

Diagnosis and Treatment for Canine Lung Cancer

The diagnosis in the initial stage is quite difficult, as the disease can be asymptomatic in the early stage. The test that is generally employed for the diagnosis is, chest X-ray. If the X-ray result shows the presence of tumor in the lungs, then aspiration and biopsy are carried out to find out if the tumors are malignant.

Surgery is the most common option. But, before performing surgery, another series of tests and examinations like blood count test, urinalysis, chest radiograph, etc. are done. For primary lung cancer, the cancerous tumor is surgically removed. If the tumor is too large, and is not possible to remove completely, the veterinarians try to remove as much of it as possible. After surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy can be recommended by the veterinarians. If surgery is not possible, especially when the condition is detected in the later or advanced stage, the veterinarians have to rely on chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can help to slow down the progression of the cancer. On the other hand, for metastatic cancer, the main treatment options are chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In the meantime, if the dog is in severe pain, then veterinarians can suggest pain relief medications.

For preventing lung cancer, certain precautionary measures like minimizing the exposure to smoke, especially tobacco smoke can be of some help. At the same time, to maintain the overall health and vigor of your dog, give it a healthy diet to boost the immune system. Similarly, regular physical activities can also help to keep your dog healthy and fit. At the same time, pet owners should remain vigilant against the disease, by carefully monitoring the signs of cancer.