The Five Most Common Questions about Cancer in Dogs

How common is cancer in dogs? Unfortunately, cancer is one of the leading causes of death in older animals. According to the Animal Cancer Foundation (ACF), 1 out of every 4 dogs will develop cancer in their lifetime, and each year, approximately 6 million dogs are diagnosed with cancer.

What are some of the most common cancers in dogs?
Like their human companions, dogs can develop many different types of cancer, such as mammary cancers, lymphoma, leukemia, osteosarcomas, mast cell tumors and skin cancers, to name a few. According to the Veterinary Cancer Society, mammary tumors are the most common cancer seen in dogs.

Are there diagnostic tests or exams that should be done regularly to try to detect cancer in dogs? 
To improve the chances of early cancer detection, you should take your pet to your veterinarian at least once a year. Personally, I recommend animals over 6 years of age be seen twice a year. Your veterinarian will do a complete examination, checking your dog from head to tail to look for:

• Abnormal skin growths (lumps and bumps)
• Enlarged organs or masses in your pet’s abdomen (belly)
• Abnormal heart or lung sounds, and abnormalities in the eyes, ears and mouth

These exams are important because veterinarians can discover things that you may never notice. However, not all cancers can be detected by physical examination, so your veterinarian may also recommend screening tests like blood work, urinalysis and radiographs (x-rays), to uncover underlying diseases like cancer. Depending on the age, sex and breed of your dog, your veterinarian may recommend one or all of these tests to help look for cancer.

Are some types of cancers more treatable than others? 
Yes, all cancers are different and some are more treatable than others. The type of cancer, location, size, stage and response to treatment all affect the ultimate prognosis. With many cancers, the earlier the treatment is started, the better the prognosis, and ultimately, the longer the survival times. That's why it is so important to bring your dog to the veterinarian for examinations at least once a year. 

Do chemotherapy and radiation treatments affect dogs the way they affect human cancer patients? 

While remission is the ultimate goal, quality of life is equally as important. As a result, cancer treatments in dogs are generally less aggressive than regimens used in people. Therefore, pets typically do not suffer from some of the troubling side effects seen in people, such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss and extreme fatigue. If side effects occur, your veterinarian will adjust the treatment to ensure that your pet remains as comfortable as possible.

The goal of cancer therapy in dogs, like with many other diseases, is early diagnosis and treatment. In order to give your dogs the best odds of beating cancer, make sure your dog gets regular check-ups, take advantage of recommended screening tests, and become familiar with the common signs and symptoms of cancer in pets so you can look-out for them at home. If you want to know more about cancer, speak with your veterinarian and visit Veterinary Cancer Society or Animal Cancer Foundation 

If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian -- they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.

Originally posted by Dr. Ruth MacPete, DVM @http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-diseases-conditions-a-z/five-most-common-questions-about-cancer-dogs

We Can-cer-vive Cancer! - #VCAHollywoodPetCancerCareCenters

 

Oscar is a 10 year old Shih Tzu that was diagnosed with intestinal lymphoma on September 23, 2019.


Lymphoma is a type of cancer that originates from the abnormal growth of lymphocytes, an important cell of the immune system. Lymphoma in dogs most commonly affects the lymph nodes, but it can also affect the lymphatics within the intestinal tract. Although intestinal lymphoma is not a disease that can be cured, treatment with chemotherapy can help keep the cancer at bay for a period of time, prolong their lifetime, and most importantly, greatly improve their quality of life.




Oscar underwent 15 weeks of chemotherapy with the *CHOP protocol and received his last chemotherapy treatment today! He did great throughout his chemotherapy protocol and experienced minimal to no side effects.

He's our little trooper and a chemo rock star! We are so proud of him and will miss seeing him through our Oncology Service.  We wish he and his family the best of luck!




VCA Hollywood's Oncology Department applies a team approach to cancer care using the strength & expertise of all of our on site specialists Surgery, Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Dermatology, Radiology and Emergency & Critical Care departments to provide the very best care

Dr. Vazquez joined our team in July of 2019 after completing her Oncology Residency at Auburn Univeristy. For Dr. Vazquez, the most important thing in dogs and cats after a diagnosis of cancer is that  treatment is focused on improvement of their quality of life.






* CHOP is the 'gold standard' of  treatment for dogs with multicentric lymphoma consists of a multi-agent, CHOP-based chemotherapy protocol incorporating several injectable and oral drugs given on a more-or-less weekly basis for a period of several months.

We are one global family!!

"We are one global VCA family and we will work together to help all those pets in need"

       - Brandon Antin VCA,VP of Corporate Affairs

Over the past two months, over 12 million acres have burned throughout Australia, specifically in the states of Queensland and New South Wales. This wildfire does not seem to be slowing down and VCA  had to ask, how we can help pets and animals who are directly affected?

Throughout the month of January, all funds donated at any VCA Animal Hospital and on VCACharities.org will go directly to veterinary animal welfare organizations assisting in the Australia Wildfires.

Direct donations can be made by going directly to www.vcacharities.org/donations.

When a disaster like this strikes, we all want to help right away. Funds raised will go directly to organizations on the ground that will be there long after the media stops focusing on it.

Our parent company, Mars Pet Nutrition has already donated over $200,000 of dog and cat food to fire-affected pet families in Victoria and southern New South Wales through local Pet Rescue organizations. In addition to this, extra stock has been added to their FoodBank donations in response to increased demand for pet food in certain areas of Australia.

"We are one global VCA family and we will work together to help all those pets in need"

  - Brandon Antin VCA,VP of Corporate Affairs

News You Can Use- HeatStroke!

Here in sunny south Florida, the summer heat isn’t just generally uncomfortable, it can also be very dangerous for your dog.

Heatstroke (hyperthermia) occurs when the body gets overheated and cannot be cooled by your pet’s normal cooling mechanisms such as panting.

We see heat stroke commonly in our furry friends this time of year. If not treated promptly, this condition can lead to severe sickness, shock, and even death.

So here’s what you need to know!

When does heatstroke occur?

We commonly see heatstroke in the summer when dogs have been outside for long periods of time, often with no access to shade or water. Other high risks for heatstroke include exercising in the summer heat of Florida or leaving pets in vehicles.

What does heatstroke look like?

Signs of heatstroke might include an excessive increase in panting, increased salivation, bright red gums and tongue or pale gums and tongue, and/or weakness and depression. Further signs of vomiting and diarrhea are signs of shock syndrome and indicate that heatstroke has progressed. If treatment is not sought, organ failure and death follow these signs.

I think my pet has heatstroke, now what?

Heatstroke is an emergency situation and your pet should be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible!

However, first, you can wet your dog’s paw pads and ears with room temperature water, cover him with a wet towel, and get him in space with a fan or AC. Do not use cold water or ice as the temperature difference can cause more severe shock.

Then, he should be brought to the nearest emergency hospital where he can be monitored and treated for life threatening complications associated with heatstroke such as bleeding disorders and shock.

In instances of heatstroke, the sooner we can intervene, the better the outcome!

Tips to safely enjoy the dog days of summer!

-       Always keep water available if you plan to exercise your furry friend or be outside for long periods of time

-       Try to avoid outside activity during the hottest hours of the day

-       Never leave your pet in a car without air conditioning. A car becomes extremely hot, extremely quickly!

Jenna Cardillo, DVM

https://vcahospitals.com/hollywood/primary/team/jenna-cardillo