Canine cancer: the dreaded diagnosis

CANCER is a word that strikes fear into our hearts, whether it is about our health, or that of our beloved pets. Unfortunately, cancer is very common in dogs and to a lesser degree, cats. Here is the sobering news: One in four dogs will develop some type of cancer. Certain breeds of dogs are prone to developing cancer, as in the case of Golden Retrievers, where up to 60 percent of these wonderful dogs die of cancer. In fact, the Morris Animal Foundation has undertaken the largest study ever attempted on cancer in this breed. For over 20 years, they will follow 3,000 Golden Retrievers, from puppyhood to death, in an incredible detailed fashion. At the end of the study, they expect to know what causes this great dog to have so much of this horrible killer.Of all the cases I see in my end-of-life practice, about 70 percent of them are end-stage cancer. And while we have many treatments that range from surgery to radiation and chemotherapy to ìcyber-knife,î this killer takes far too many pets far too soon. I recently lost my own sweet Great Dane to bone cancer. Iíll tell you her story in a future column. The striking notice that your pet has cancer can wreak havoc on your emotions. The cost to diagnose and treat cancer-related diseases can also take a huge bite out of the bank account.Itís not uncommon to have a $2,000 to $3,000 veterinary bill, and that is for a minor case; for example, cancer of the foot pad and eyelid. Other cancers are much more serious such as cancer of the lymph system, bone cancer and cancer of the nervous system. My dogís battle with bone cancer that involved 14 months, two major surgeries, chemotherapy, a prosthetic leg and lots of medications cost over $30,000. Had it not been for pet insurance, I could not have afforded that. But those 14 months were mostly very good, and I would not have taken anything away for that time with her.Pet insurance companies see many thousands of claims due to cancer, and keep close records on the types of cancer and the treatments. The 10 most common cancer-related claims:

1. Lymphosarcoma
2. Mast cell tumor
3. Cancer of the spleen
4. Cancer of the eyelid
5. Liver cancer
6. Bone cancer
7. Cancer of the thorax
8. Cancer of the bladder
9. Cancer of the brain or spinal cord
10. Oral cancer

Lymphosarcoma is consistently the No. 1 cancer-related claim seen by insurance companies. Insurance company policyholders spent $12.8 million last year on pets with these top 10 cancer-related illnesses. Cancer of the brain or spinal cord was the most expensive to diagnose and treat, according to the company. Policyholders spent an average of $752 to diagnose and non-surgically treat those cancers. Pet owners who pursued surgical treatments spent an average of $4,000. It is important for you to learn the signs and symptoms of cancer in dogs and cats because (and youíve heard it before) early detection makes all the difference in treatment outcomes.Symptoms pet owners need to watch:

• Growing lumps or sores that donít heal
• Drastic changes in a petís appetite or weight
• Offensive odors
• Bleeding or discharge from any opening in the body
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing
• Unwillingness to exercise
• Persistent lameness or stiffness
• Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating

Your best weapon in the battle against pet cancer is regular exams and early exams when you see any curious symptom. You should also be financially prepared in case you hear the dreaded diagnosis. The best way to do that is to go online and get your pets insured now. It is not expensive and they pay an amazing amount of the veterinary fees. Look for a company that has no per-incident or per-year limits.

Facts about canine cancer Cancer is the leading cause of non-accidental deaths in dogs. Lymphoma is the leading cancer diagnosed in dogs. Nearly 60 percent of pets over the age of 10 will develop some type of cancer. The increasing incidence of cancer in dogs is due to the compressed timeline that dogs live. They pack a human 70-80-year life into 10 or 12 years, and that means during their shortened life span; we see what looks like a much higher incidence of cancer.

If you see a lump or bump, see your veterinarian immediately. Better to be safe than sorry.Dr. Jim Humphries is a veterinarian and provides hospice and end-of-life care for pets in Colorado Springs. He also serves as a visiting professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University. He lives in Falcon with his wife, horses and Great Danes. www.MobilePetDocs.com