Receiving the diagnosis of cancer in a dog is a very sad moment for any guardian. The disease is aggressive and brings several complications to the animal's health. In addition to the fact that the symptoms of dog cancer are quite intense, the treatment is also quite delicate and requires special attention. Chemotherapy in dogs is the best known treatment, but there are other ways to treat the disease. it isIt is essential to know what these methods are and talk to your veterinarian to decide which is best according to the severity, intensity and type of cancer your pet has. The Paws of the House explains exactly how cancer treatment in dogs is done, check it out!

Surgical tumor removal is the first treatment option for cancer in dogs

Usually, the first step in treating dog cancer is surgical removal of the tumor. Many can be removed with surgery, so it is the preferred method. However, it is important to note that this will not always be possible. Sometimes the position of the tumor prevents the procedure from being done because of the risk of affecting nearby organs or because it is not conducive to surgery. In some cases ofdog cancer, one surgery is not enough and it will be necessary to perform several. The patient may need to be hospitalized and must perform pre- and post-operative procedures, in addition to taking many tests to monitor the condition of the tumor. Tumor removal surgery in dogs with cancer has many chances of success, but there is a chance that it will return. Therefore, other methods (such as the surgery) can be used.chemotherapy in dogs) may be indicated even if surgery is performed.

Chemotherapy in dogs is a drug treatment that prevents the tumor from multiplying

Chemotherapy for dogs is the best known method. It is a treatment based on drugs applied intravenously or subcutaneously. The medicine acts directly on cancer cells, controlling their multiplication. Chemotherapy for dogs is a treatment indicated mainly for dogs that cannot have surgery. However, those who do may also needchemotherapy before or after surgery to help control the multiplication of cancer cells and prevent metastasis.

The biggest problem with chemotherapy in dogs is the fact that, despite bringing good results, it is a very aggressive treatment. The drugs act directly on cancer cells, but there is no well-established distinction. That is: in addition to attacking these cells, it also attacks others that are healthy. Because of this, chemotherapy in dogs causes many side effects that varyThe most frequent are: vomiting, anorexia, dog with diarrhea, fever, decrease in the number of leukocytes (which makes the animal more predisposed to infections) and decrease in platelets. Chemotherapy in dogs is carried out in sessions with intervals of one to three weeks, according to the evolution and sensitivity of the animal. Chemotherapy for dogs is usually less frequent than for dogs.aggressive than it is for humans, but you still need to be very careful with your pet at this time.

Electrotherapy uses electrical pulses that attack cancer-causing cells in dog

Electrotherapy is a less aggressive alternative to chemotherapy in dogs because it is done only in the affected area. Thus, the risk of attacking other cells and causing so many side effects is lower. In electrotherapy, electrical impulses are applied to the place where the dog cancer is located. These stimuli (which have a voltage calculated for each case) penetrate and activate the tissue that isAlthough it brings good results, it is an innovation in veterinary medicine and, therefore, it is not so easy to find clinics that have the necessary equipment, in addition to having a higher cost.

Radiotherapy to treat cancer in dogs is done with ionizing radiation

Radiotherapy, like chemotherapy for dogs, is a viable option when surgery cannot be performed or as a secondary treatment before or after surgery. In radiotherapy, ionising radiation is used directly on the diseased site, decreasing the amount of cancer cells there. The treatment has better results when the cancer in dogs is in its early stages, but it alsocan be indicated in a palliative way in cases of metastasis or more advanced conditions, as it helps to reduce the size of the tumor. This method does not cause so many side effects. They can happen at the site where the radiotherapy was performed, but do not spread throughout the body. Among the effects that may arise, we can highlight skin peeling, canine conjunctivitis, mucositis and rhinitis. it isit is important to always keep the examinations up to date to avoid late reactions due to radiation, such as changes in the color and growth of the dog's hair where the therapy was performed, fibrosis and necrosis.

Immunotherapy in dog cancer treatment causes the body itself to fight the disease

Immunotherapy is a very recent treatment for dog cancer. Its aim is to improve the response of the dog's immune system by enhancing its power to fight cancer cells. In other words, the animal's own organism becomes more capable of helping to kill them. Usually, this treatment is done through the application of specific vaccines that rely onWith immunotherapy, there is a much lower risk of dog cancer spreading and it also has the advantage of not bringing many side effects. However, it is still an extremely new treatment, so it will hardly be possible to find clinics that offer it.

Treatment of dog cancer varies and follow-up must be maintained for life

It is very important to understand that the treatment of cancer in dogs varies for each animal. In many cases, the process will involve more than one method (such as surgery and chemotherapy in dogs complementing each other). Therefore, regular veterinary follow-up during this period is essential. Be sure to go to appointments, perform check-ups and follow all the guidelines that the veterinarian gives you.As dog cancer can unfortunately come back after a while, follow-up should be done for life. This care helps to prevent the disease from worsening, since the earlier it is discovered, the better the animal's response.