Just like humans, dogs can fall prey to a number of illnesses. In fact, health problems that are considered as life threatening for humans can also have equally fatal consequences for canines. One such illness is stomach cancer. While most people think that dogs have a hardy stomach, it is still prone to developing malignant tissue depending on various health factors. As a dog lover, what you should know about stomach cancer in dogs? All the information you’ll ever need is right here.
Gastric cancer is a condition that doesn’t choose a breed. In fact, all dogs, regardless of breed, size, or gender, have equal risk of developing stomach cancer. While only 1% of all reported cases of cancer in dogs are of this kind, the number of dogs affected by this disease is still significant enough for pet owners to pay attention. Cancer of the stomach in dogs can develop for various reasons, but there are very important risk factors dog owners must take notice of.
The prognosis of a dog that's diagnosed with stomach cancer is very weak. Because stomach cancer in dogs are often diagnosed too late, it is estimated that the patient would have anywhere between 1 to 6 months to live if treatment is not prescribed in a timely manner. During diagnosis, it is important to evaluate the condition of other proximal organs such as the liver and intestines. Available treatments are mostly invasive, including the likes of chemotherapy, surgical resection of the gastrointestinal tract, and palliative gastrojejunostomy.
Gastric cancer is a condition that doesn’t choose a breed. In fact, all dogs, regardless of breed, size, or gender, have equal risk of developing stomach cancer. While only 1% of all reported cases of cancer in dogs are of this kind, the number of dogs affected by this disease is still significant enough for pet owners to pay attention. Cancer of the stomach in dogs can develop for various reasons, but there are very important risk factors dog owners must take notice of.
- Age - The age of your dog is one of the most critical factors when it comes to cancer development. Just like in humans, the older your dog gets, the more prone he/she becomes to develop malignant tissue. According to veterinarians, dogs that are over 10 years of age are particularly at risk. This is perhaps due to the tendency of gastric tissue to degenerate with age. Extra care is needed for dogs at this age.
- Genetics - Just like in humans, genes also play a role in increasing (or decreasing) a dog’s risk of developing cancer. If your dog’s family line has a history of developing cancers (especially if it’s stomach cancer), there’s a huge chance that he/she might be prone to stomach cancer later on. The breed of dog is also seen to have a slight effect in evaluating a dog’s genetic risk factors. It’s been uncovered in studies that German Shepherds are more prone to stomach cancer than other breeds.
- Food - The food your dog eats has a huge say on his/her gastric health. Some foods, most particularly artificially prepared ones, are more carcinogenic than others. One ingredient that’s considered to be particularly carcinogenic is nitrosamines. Nitrosamines are commonly found on preserved meats. Related to this, dogs that eat nitrosamine-enhanced food over long periods become more prone to developing gastric cancer.
4 Types of Stomach Cancer in Dogs
Stomach cancer in dogs comes in different forms. Knowing each of these forms can prove handy in making preventive measures and can also be helpful in the event your dog becomes affected by this disease. Here are the 4 types of stomach cancer that can be observed in dogs.- Adenocarcinoma - This is considered to be the most common form of stomach cancer in dogs, accounting for almost 80% of all recorded cases. This cancer is found specifically in glandular tissue. The malignant tissue first develops in the abdominal wall and would later spread to other parts of the stomach such as the lymph nodes and omentum. On advanced cases, the cancer can spread to other organs such as the liver, kidney, and intestines, often with fatal effects. Adenocarcinoma cases can also sometimes be caused by stromal tumors.
- Lymphoma - This is a type of cancer that traces its origins from the leukocytes, better known in layman’s terms as the white blood cells. It is one of the more common forms of cancer found in dogs. Because it is a cancer that’s found in the bloodstream, it can easily spread to other organs such as the stomach. When diagnosed at a late stage, the condition can be very fatal. Gastric lymphoma is linked to up to 24% of all deaths related to stomach cancer in dogs.
- Mast cell tumors - Just like leukocytes, mast cells are also components in the blood that are crucial for maintaining immunity. The mast cells are responsible for responding to allergic reactions and inflammations. For various reasons, these cells can become malignant, with a huge potential of spreading cancer into different parts of the body. Malignant cells secrete in excess chemicals such as heparin and histamine which would destroy tissues of organs such as the stomach.
- Leiomyosarcoma - This is one of the more uncommon types of cancer as its mode of action is very specific. This type of cancer specifically targets the walls of organs, turning its components into malignant and nonfunctional tissue. It specifically targets the connective tissue and smooth muscles that surround the walls of organs, hence its prevalence in organs such as the stomach. It could metastasize to affect other organs such as liver and kidney.
The prognosis of a dog that's diagnosed with stomach cancer is very weak. Because stomach cancer in dogs are often diagnosed too late, it is estimated that the patient would have anywhere between 1 to 6 months to live if treatment is not prescribed in a timely manner. During diagnosis, it is important to evaluate the condition of other proximal organs such as the liver and intestines. Available treatments are mostly invasive, including the likes of chemotherapy, surgical resection of the gastrointestinal tract, and palliative gastrojejunostomy.
EmoticonEmoticon