Check out for most common warning signs of cancer in dogs that you need to know to take a better care of your dogs. With these signs and animal facts, you can get your dogs diagnosed sooner so that your dogs may have a better chance of beating this disease.
Top warning signs of canine cancer
Loss of Appetite
Whenever your dog stops eating or has a drastic decrease in appetite, she needs to be seen by a veterinarian right away. Many types of cancer cause problems with numerous body systems. Any of these can leave your dog not eating due to pain, nausea, or metabolic disturbances.
Rapid, Unexplained Weight Loss
Even if your dog was overweight to begin with, if she suddenly starts losing weight when you haven't changed anything about her diet and exercise routine, you should be concerned. Cancer alters the way nutrients are used in the body, and weight loss is common with many types.
Non-Healing Sores on the Skin
One of factoflife is that Cancers of the skin often look like small lumps or bumps. However, if there is an area on your dog's skin that started out looking like a scrape or scratch, became open and oozing, and hasn't healed in a reasonable time period, you should visit the veterinarian. This could be a sign of skin cancer.
Foul Odor
A bad odor from anywhere on your dog may be a sign of cancer. Bad breath could indicate oral or internal cancer, rear end odors could be a digestive tract or rectal problem, and skin odor could be skin cancer. If your dog has a foul odor with no obvious cause, make an appointment with your veterinarian.
New Bumps or Swellings
Many times, cancer in dogs appears as abnormal growths on the body. While this may occur internally, rendering it invisible, it can happen on the skin, too.
Lameness
If your dog begins limping or holding up a paw, you should see the veterinarian right away. While there are many causes of lameness, one of them is cancer, especially osteosarcoma.
Difficulty Eating and Excessive Drooling
If your dog tries to eat but seems to have trouble, rolling the food around in her mouth or allowing it to drop out, it may indicate an oral tumor. Excessive drooling usually occurs with this condition, as well.
Tiring Easily
If your dog begins to show decreasing stamina, have her checked out. While it can be easy to attribute signs of slowing down to aging, there may be a bigger reason. The signs of cancer can be quite subtle, especially in the early stages, so it's important to bring any concerns, even those that seem minor, to your veterinarian's attention.
Coughing or Difficulty Breathing
If your dog is coughing or her breathing appears labored, it's important to get her an appointment with her doctor right away.
Changes in Urination or Defecation
One of science facts that you should know is that if your dog begins urinating more or less than usual, straining to urinate, having diarrhea, showing constipation, or straining to defecate, have her looked at by her doctor. Any of these signs can indicate cancer, as well as many other conditions that should all be treated.
Personality Changes
You know your dog better than anyone. Spotting small personality changes such as being more aloof, clingier, or grumpier can alert you to a medical problem. Once you see a change like this, be sure to pay more attention to everything else: appetite, elimination habits, gait, etc.
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