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by Denyse Lessard July 07, 2020 3 min read
Receiving a cancer diagnosis for your beloved pet is stressful and scary. It’s only natural to be anxious and full of questions and concerns.
This can be especially true if the diagnosis is stomach cancer. While it is a rare cancer that affects a relatively small amount of dogs each year, it is hard to detect early because the early symptoms often go undetected.
In this article, we are going to look at the types, causes, and signs of stomach cancer in dogs, as well as the life expectancy and treatment options available.
I hope you find this information helpful, leaving you better equipped to fight this battle with your companion!
You can always look into our complete guide to dog cancer to learn more about different cancers affecting dogs.
Unfortunately, although it’s possible for a dog to have a benign (non cancerous) tumor or “polyp” in the stomach, the majority of stomach tumors found in dogs are malignant (cancerous).
Stomach cancer in dogs can come in many forms - leiomyosarcomas (tumors that affect the lining of hollow organs, like the stomach), mast cell tumors (affecting cells that are part of the immune system called “mast cells” that are commonly found in the stomach), and adenocarcinomas (affecting the lining of the digestive tract) are the most common.
Tumors that affect the stomach are likely to metastasize (spread) to nearby areas, such as the lymph nodes, liver, and inner lining of the abdomen.
As with nearly all types of cancer, it is difficult to pinpoint what causes stomach cancer in dogs. Both environmental and genetic factors play a part.
There is a correlation between stomach cancer and both age and breed: older dogs are more likely to be diagnosed with stomach cancer, as well as breeds such as Beagles and Chow Chows. It is also interesting to note that stomach cancer affects male dogs more often than females.
Some links have also been found between stomach cancer in dogs and long term use of a chemical called nitrosamines in their diet.
It is often difficult to detect signs of stomach cancer in dogs early - the symptoms are often subtle, especially in the early stages, and tend to get gradually worse over time.
Here are some symptoms of stomach cancer in dogs to look out for:
The earlier cancer is detected and treatment can be started, the better for your pup! If you notice any of these symptoms, make sure to book a checkup right away. Then, if there are any problems or concerns, you’ll be able to act as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, the outlook for dogs diagnosed with stomach cancer is poor. Most dogs live for approximately 6 months after a diagnosis of stomach cancer.
A lot depends on the size, severity, and type of tumor, but sadly most cases are found after the cancer has spread to other areas in the later stages.
If your pup is sick, you of course want to do everything you can to help him/her. After receiving your diagnosis, your veterinarian may have recommended surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation as treatment for stomach cancer in dogs.
We know that you want the best treatment possible for your pup, and so do we. You’re probably wondering if there are any natural remedies for treating stomach cancer in dogs - and there are!
Here at Zumalka, we are dedicated to finding natural products for animals. That is why we have worked so hard to design PIPTOPET : a natural product with antiviral and antibiotic properties designed to boost your dog’s immune system.
This product has anti-inflammatoryand anti-tumorproperties. You want to boost your dog’s body during his fight against the disease, and you also want to reduce the occurrences of secondary infections.
It is very hard to deal with a cancer diagnosis for your beloved pet. With the right information, though, I hope you can be better equipped to fight this battle alongside them!
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