If your pet is exhibiting any of these signs, please schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for a thorough physical exam.  Additional testing, such as bloodwork, urine testing, or x-rays, may be recommended.

Cancer Signs in Our Pets

Cancer is notoriously difficult to diagnose in our pets- it often is not found on routine bloodwork or possibly even xrays.  The following are the top signs of cancer in our pets that you should be aware of:

  1. Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow- if you find a "lump" on your pet, please bring it to the attention of your veterinarian.  You should also record how long you think it has been present and if you think it is growing.  Your veterinarian will likely discuss performing a "fine needle aspirate" or FNA on the mass.  An FNA is a non invasive sampling of the mass involving a small needle (the same size as a vaccine needle).  It is not always possible to glean all information from this tiny sampe, but an FNA can help determine if the mass if caused by inflammation, infection, cyst, or tumor.  An FNA also helps your veterinarian plan a surgery if surgery is recommended.
  2. Sores that do not heal- skin cancers can appear as open wounds that do not respond to typical antibiotics.
  3. Weight loss- unexplained weight loss is common with cancer- especially in pets with a consistent diet and exercise program..
  4. Loss of appetite
  5. Difficulty eating or swallowing- this is especially true with cancers of the mouth, throat, or stomach.
  6. Bleeding or discharge from any body opening- for example, unexplained nose bleeds or bleeding from the mouth,anus, penis, or vulva.
  7. Offensive odor- some cancers cause "necrosis" or death of surrounding healthy tissue that results in foul odor. 
  8. Reluctance to exercise or loss of stamina
  9. Persistant lameness or stiffness- some cancers can involve the bones or muscles resulting in symptoms similar to arthritis.
  10. Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating- some cancers can spread or "metastasize" to new areas of the body.  One of the common areas that cancers spread to is the lungs, resulting in difficulty breathing or cough.  Cancers of the bladder or prostate may cause your pet to strain while urinating and cancers of the intestinal tract or anal glands may lead to difficulty passing a bowel movement. 
  11. Pale gums or sudden collapse- some cancers (such as hemangiosarcoma) may involve the heart, spleen, or blood vessels.  If these tumors rupture, internal bleeding occurs- resulting in sudden collapse or profound lethargy with pale gums (instead of pink).