Information For Owners Of Pets With Cancer
Cancer is not a recent disease. Doctors have investigated this terrible disease in humans for more than 2,000 years. In animals, new studies have been conducted, often based on what has been learned about cancer in humans.
Many veterinarians and pet owners have observed that animals develop cancer more often during the later stages of their life. Scientists still do not understand the exact relationship between advanced age and the development of the disease. However, some researchers have speculated that age tends to weaken the immune system.
Based on research in humans and animals, we know that cancer is a complex process that can be triggered by hereditary, environmental, and nutritional factors.
Causes of cancer in pets
It is not yet known what causes cancer in pets. But, according to studies, it can be intuited that it originates from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. There are also predispositions in some breeds for the appearance of certain types of tumors. Most of the genetic alterations that lead to cancer occur due to spontaneous mutations, which can originate as a result of chronic exposure to known carcinogens, such as sunlight or chemicals.
Regarding the diagnosis, cancer in pets is determined through a biopsy, which consists of removing small fragments of tumor tissue. Examining the biopsies allows veterinarians to determine the type of cells involved, whether the growth is benign or malignant, and what might be the best treatment to follow.
There are different types of tumors. In benign tumors, a fibrous capsule usually relatively covers the tumor cells. Some common benign tumors in dogs, for example, can be lipomas or fatty tumors, which form under the skin, and papillomas, which are shaped like cauliflower and found within the epidermis. Under the microscope, the cells in these tumors look very much like normal tissue. However, the boundaries of these tumors are usually regular making them easy to remove surgically.
In cats, tumors occur when they are relatively young and can be generally preventable. However, they tend to be much more concerning. They are usually treated through a surgical intervention, with enough success, but it is very aggressive, since much of the tissue that surrounds the tumor is removed.
Surgery is only successful if all tumor cells are removed or destroyed, and this is difficult to do. The greater the mass and the length of time it has been there, the less likely the intervention is to be successful. Up to 70% of these tumors grow back after surgery. Although the chances of life increase if the animal, after the intervention, undergoes radiotherapy treatment.
Chemotherapy treatment
Approximately 25% of all animals receiving chemotherapy experience some type of side effect, usually mild gastrointestinal distress or lethargy. Side effects are controlled using over-the-counter or prescription drugs. If a patient experiences severe side effects, the chemotherapy dose is lowered to avoid similar complications in the future. In general, the quality of life of patients receiving chemotherapy is excellent.
Before chemotherapy starts, precautions are taken to make sure pets are healthy enough to undergo treatment. Preliminary tests will allow you to know everything about a cancer patient, which helps to better predict outcomes, side effects, and even tailor cure plans.
Pets with cancer are considered safe to interact with all members of the family. However, depending on the medication they are receiving, there may be certain times when the animal is more vulnerable to contracting an infection, so it may be necessary to take certain precautions.
On the other hand, it is recommended that owners of pets with cancer use disposable gloves to handle everything that has to do with their little friend. It is also advised that after being in contact with them, they wash their hands with soap and water.
