Last Updated on
The dreaded diagnosis shows your dog has cancer. You are not alone — many owners face this heart-breaking situation.
A 1st instinct is to try to make your pet’s life easier during this difficult time, but you can also be a little more optimistic!
Cancer does not need to be a horrible death sentence.
Treatments extend life and can certainly make your dog much more comfortable.
There are effective ways to approach it – even when surgery isn’t an option.
The Best Cancer Treatments For Dogs Involve Surgical Removal and/or Chemotherapy
Though there are other promising alternatives which we’ll cover.
First, a sad statistic:
Cancer is now the top cause of death for older dogs.
Caught Early or Not?
Detecting a tumorous disease (well in advance) is obviously how your dog has the greatest chance of survival.
But here’s the thing:
Signs of cancer can be difficult or even impossible to pick up on.
No matter the timing, (late stage or not) do not feel guilty. Your focus is now on helping your dog. Here’s how…
Alternative Treatments
Turmeric, added to your dog’s daily food, can improve a cancerous condition.
Better yet, Neoplasene is medicinal herb that’s known to greatly help dogs with cancer.
The only real downside to these is they may not be fast acting or powerful enough.
Must Get Aggressive
Ask your vet about immunotherapy tumor vaccines.
I’m serious! Read about how the University of Pennsylvania (Penn Vet) used this type of vaccine to help a dog named Kasey.
Separately, there’s an FDA-approved drug called Palladia or Tanovea-CA1.
These options are worth looking into!
Canine Cancer Cases
Cancer of the lymph nodes (lymphoma), bones, mammary glands, bladder, brain, breasts, skin and soft tissue are seen in nearly 50% of dogs over age 10.
Guess what?
There is evidence that cancer has a genetic component in animals too.
Certain breeds, such as Rottweilers, may be more prone to cancer.
Focusing on Comfort
Does your dog have an advanced form of cancer?
Perhaps you don’t want to put them through more suffering. That’s certainly understandable.
Many owners choose to skip expensive cancer surgeries and nasty radiation therapy. This may save $20,000 or more.
That’s not all.
It also allows a better focus on being with a beloved dog in their remaining days.
Comfort is essential, meaning less pain and discomfort.
Diet, Lifestyle And Lifespan
Let’s briefly talk about prevention.
A good diet and a healthy lifestyle will reduce cancer risks.
It is absolutely true!
You see, the food that you feed is a huge factor. It may or may not be contributing to cancer.
Also, don’t underestimate a need for your dog to have routine teeth cleaning done.
But here’s something that’s overlooked:
Perhaps the biggest reason why more dogs are getting cancer is simply because they are living longer.
The Bottom Line
Humans and dogs are treated for cancer in very similar ways. Besides surgery, Chemo remains a common yet unpleasant approach.
The prognosis is usually good if your dog’s cancer was diagnosed early.
Be sure to look into the latest treatments that we’ve covered here. Be vigilant!
My 13 pound dog may have liver cancer. He is 15 years old. We have chosen not to biopsy or treat because of his age. We want to make him as comfortable as possible. He wants to eat, but turns his nose up at all his favorite foods and treats.
Our Vet told us to feed him anything he will eat, chicken, steak, pork, etc. He does drink water. I can tell his stomach is upset. The only thing we are using is Entyce to stimulate his appetite. I think, if we can settle his stomach, he will eat.
There is a type of cancer called Cutaneous Hemangiosarcoma. It manifests itself as sores, mainly on the belly. I have researched this horrible disease because my beloved Golden Retriever died from the visceral version (which starts in the lining of the blood vessels as opposed to the skin) and is much more deadly.
The skin version can also be fatal if not caught and treated in time. If caught early, it can be surgically removed. I say this because it’s important for dog owners to realize that skin conditions can sometimes be symptoms of a very serious illness.
It is always important to get a second opinion. My Golden would periodically have scaly lesions on this belly and chest. I didn’t think much of it. Now I wonder if they were somehow related to the cancer that killed him.
My 15 year old Great Pyrenees has a lung lesion, presumed to be cancer. He has a lot of thick mucous which he coughs up every few days with an intermittent gagging cough.
He weighs around 30 pounds but is losing body mass quickly. I’m giving him honey and lemon juice but he hates it.
I saw information about using n-acetylcysteine or other natural supplements which reportedly helps beat cancer. Our vet has him on prednisone on antibiotics.
I will not put him though oncology treatment at his age, but I know food is medicine. However, he’s having trouble with his appetite and keeping down what he does eat.
I love him so much and would appreciate any solid advice.
Sorry Laury. I have had several rescued dogs with cancer and what they have to go through is not beneficial to the dog. It’s better to put them down.
Laury: First of all our condolences to you. This is always a difficult position to be in and we appreciate it more because, at our age, we have been there several times over the years.
Unfortunately there is really nothing that overcomes cancer of the lung. I am sure that you and your canine child have shared an enormous amount of love over the years. If you truly feel that your friend no longer has quality of life and/or is suffering, particularly in pain, you have the the option of relieving the suffering although the memories of your lives together will live forever.
When the time comes you will have to make the decision, i.e., dying in your arms with euthanasia or passing at home if not in pain. Regardless, you will always have wonderful memories!
My 70 pound Weimaraner is 6 years old and has cancer of the bladder. It’s an aggressive form and the vet says she has only 6 months. Please help me with a proper turmeric dose or good recipe. Thank you in advance.
My sister’s dog had a cancerous tumor on his face. She gave him apricot seeds and within a week it was gone. She crushed them in a coffee grinder and put it in his food. I have a Mini Poodle and I give him one a day for prevention. He just chews it though. It does give them really bad breath.
I have a 15 year old Lhasa Apso, who has a cancerous tumor in her heart with fluid. She was drained for the fluid back in September. The specialist was trying to talk us in putting her down which got me more upset than I was. She was not even wanting me to give her a chance. It is now almost 3 months and she’s doing great for her condition. She is also deaf.
A friend of mine told me to mix organic flaxseed oil with Greek yogurt. How much should I mix of both for a 15 pound dog? I have have 2 Lhasa’s that are scratching and their coats are a mess. Would you give me advice for these? Thank you.
My Alaskan Malamute has bone cancer. Can she take turmeric along with her Tramadol?
My little girl Chihuahua was diagnosed with lung cancer and given the token six months to live. That was one year ago and she’s still here, happy, just the same. I truly believe that love, attention, medication, chemo, home remedies such as honey and most of all god helped! Bless all those dealing with a sick pet.