Stomach Cancer in Dogs

Although the term 'stomach cancer' is often associated with humans, occasionally, dogs too fall victim to this type of cancer. Stomach cancer, a usually fatal dog health problem, is more prominent in dog breeds such as the Belgian sheepdog, the Keeshond and the Scottish terrier. Surprisingly, puppies are rarely affected with stomach cancer and most reported cases are seen in dogs that are more than 8 -10 years old. There are different types of stomach cancers occurring in dogs, the most common being leiomyosarcoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, lymphoma, and mast cell tumor.

Stomach Cancer in Dogs: Symptoms
One of the dog cancer symptoms affecting the stomach include difficulty in digesting food. As a result, their appetite drastically decreases leading to weight loss. Some other symptoms that indicate the presence of cancerous growth in the stomach are as follows:

• Vomiting with traces of blood
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Dark tarry stools
• Weakness and lethargy

Stomach Cancer in Dogs: Treatment
Like humans, the treatment for stomach cancer in dogs involve use of two well-known cancer treatment options; chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In case the ailment is detected in its early stages, chemotherapy drugs are useful to kill the cancer cells. Radiation therapy, to some extent can be beneficial to stop the spread of cancer cells. But many times, radiation is not recommended, as organs close to the stomach are likely to get damaged.

In most cases, the cancerous growth (benign tumor) is taken out of the body using surgery. Large tumors that allow only small amount of food to enter in the stomach, require bypass surgery. Surgical procedure is ineffective if the tumor has spread to other organs. In some cases, surgery followed by chemotherapy drugs is effective to limit progression of cancer. Localized tumors, when removed, enhance quality of life and may even restore normal health of the dog.

Malignant Stomach Cancer in Dogs
Most stomach tumors detected are malignant. A dog diagnosed with malignant tumor has a very less probability of survival. This is because, it is observed that surgical removal of the tumor provides only temporary relief, as the tumor returns within 6-8 months and rapidly spreads to the other body organs. A malignant stomach cancer (carcinomas) in dogs is always life-threatening due to its ability to invade adjacent organs such as the liver and the lungs. Dogs with malignant tumors generally do not live for more than 6-8 months. Treatment is not a remedy for malignant stomach cancer in dogs. It only helps to keep the dog alive for some more time.

In order to relieve the pain associated with stomach cancer, there are prescription medications available that are often recommended by most veterinarians. These medicines have been quite effective to keep the pain to a minimum tolerable level. Other treatments that have been successful in easing the dog's discomfort are as follows:

• Herbal solutions
• Aromatherapy
• Acupuncture

A diet that is specifically designed, keeping the dog's health in mind, can surely help to increase the lifespan of the dog by a few months. Conventional treatment for stomach cancer in dogs, supplemented with homeopathic capsules, promote dog health and increase the energy levels. Certain herbal products also help to strengthen the immune system and restrict cancer growth.