If you love your dog (and you wouldn’t be reading this if you didn’t), this is one word that strikes fear in your heart. It’s a fact that cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs over the age of 10; however, half of the cases diagnosed are curable if caught soon enough. It may seem that the incidence of cancer in dogs has increased, but what is actually happening is that, due to advances in veterinary medicine, and pet parents taking better care of their dogs, the lifespan of dogs has increased, with more of them reaching an age where the incidence of cancer increases.

The symptoms of cancer in dogs are similar to symptoms of cancer in humans, such as a lump, swollen lymph nodes, lameness, or a sore that doesn’t heal; however, many dogs do not exhibit symptoms when the cancer is in its early stages, other than perhaps acting ‘under the weather’. Since dogs are very good at hiding their pain, it’s up to the parents to be vigilant and report anything unusual to their veterinarian.

Some of the more common types of cancer in dogs are lymphoma (a tumor in the lymph nodes); mast-cell tumors (a type of skin cancer); and osteosarcoma (bone cancer). It’s important to note that some cancers are preventable. Testicular cancer can be avoided by neutering a male; similarly, the incidence of mammary cancer in females is greatly reduced by spaying.

There are several methods of treating canine cancer, depending on the type and stage of the disease. The best possible treatment is removal of the tumor (and possibly the nearest lymph nodes), providing it has not spread. Other options are electrocautery (burning off the tumor using electricity) and cryosurgery (removal of the tumor by freezing it). Radiation may also be employed but is most effective if the cancer has not yet metastasized (spread) and seems to be more useful for certain types of cancers such as tumors of the nasal cavities and certain skin tumors. Radiation may also be used to temporarily alleviate pain in osteosarcoma. One of the problems with radiation, however, is that it must be performed with special equipment at a medical center. Chemotherapy is also used but generally is less effective in treating cancer in dogs than it is in humans, so it is used more to control the disease and bring about remission than it is to cure. Fortunately, dogs do not seem to suffer the same nasty side effects of chemotherapy that humans suffer, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and hair loss.

Diet plays an important part in canine cancer treatment. According to CanineCancer.com, a high-starch or high-sugar diet seems to encourage the growth of abnormal cells, so feeding a diet low in starches and sugars, with small amounts of high-quality protein and high amounts of unsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids, is best. Cancer cells thrive on sugars but starve the body of proteins. As they metabolize, they produce a waste product called lactate, which depletes energy and weakens the dog and allows the cancer to grow stronger, a condition called cancer cachexia. Since many commercial dog foods tend to be high in starchy carbohydrates, it may be a good idea to switch to a higher-quality, lower-starch food, along with fresh fruits and vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower (but no onions, grapes, or raisins, please). Supplements rich in essential fatty acids, such as flaxseed oil, are also helpful. For more information on cancer diets for dogs, I recommend a book written by Dr.Steven Eisen which is available through www.dogcanceradvice.com. This website provides holistic advice on cancer treatment in pets.

I hope that the pet parents reading this column never have the need for this advice, but if you do, please realize that a diagnosis of cancer may not be a death sentence for your CBF (canine best friend). Help and hope are available.