Quick Facts About Cancer

Image of an old dog with a tumor.

Family pets are often described as our "best friends" and news that they are sick can be devastating. Cancer is a disease that can affect family pets like dogs and cats. Through the years, research has developed many cures and treatments for use in improving or sustaining the health of pets that present with a cancer diagnosis.

Let's look at a few of the facts about cancer in family pets. What is it and what can you do about it? Cancer, or a tumor, is typically a mass of tissue that is abnormal. The mass, lump or growth develops when your pet's cells divide more rapidly than normal.

The mass may also develop because those cells do not die when they ordinarily would. Often we refer to a tumor as benign or malignant. A benign tumor does not spread and does not have the invasive abilities of a malignant tumor. Malignant tumors are known to invade surrounding tissue or set up housekeeping in other parts of your pet's body.

Cancer is a serious disease in dogs and cats. It is also common. In some areas, cancer is the top cause of death in family pets. Throughout the United States, about fifty-percent of pet dogs and cats lose their life to some form of cancer. The disease is often treatable with surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

Many pets will do well with surgery to remove the tumor or mass of cancerous cells. Depending on the involved organs and location of the unwelcome cells, surgery may be enough. Veterinarians can recommend that radiation therapy be performed before surgery to shrink the tumor.

Your vet may suggest that chemotherapy should be received by your pet in conjunction with, or independent of, surgery or radiation. Only your veterinarian can recommend the best course of action to treat your pet's cancer.

Various indicators will lead your veterinarian in making the diagnosis, developing a treatment plan acceptable to you and your pet and performing the necessary treatment.

The Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University has identified specific information for dog and cat owners about the frequency of cancer and advises pet owners that:

  • Not all cancers are the same. Depending on the location and biologic behavior, there may be several treatment options available.
  • Cancer is the leading cause of death in pet cats and dogs in the United States. As many as 50% of pets die of cancer.
  • An estimated 6,000,000 dogs and nearly 6,000,000 cats will be diagnosed with cancer this year. In many of these animals, the malignancy will look and behave much as it would in humans, such as spreading to the same organs.
  • Cancer is the leading cause of death in 47% of dogs, especially dogs over age 10, and 32% of cats. Dogs get cancer at about the same rate as humans, while cats get fewer cancers. In most cases it's a disease found in aging animals.
  • There are nearly 100 types of animal cancer. Most common in cats is leukemia, while the most common cancers for dogs are lymphoma and mammary gland cancer.
  • Many of the same treatments that are available for humans are now available for pets. These treatments include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.

Know the facts and discuss them completely with your veterinarian during development of a treatment plan. Your pet is depending on you and the treatment plan you will create with your veterinarian.

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Testimonials

Feedback from our clients

  • "Words can not begin to express our gratitude for the care you had given Hunter over the years. When his time came, he watched for you to come through the door and his tail showed his affection towards you. That was most comforting having you there. Thank you.""
    ~R.H
  • ""Thank you so much for taking care of Maggie over the years. Y'all are the best and Dr. Johnson, you are the best vet in the world! God bless you all.""
    ~ J.D.
  • ""Your care for my beloved Mattie these last 10n years made her life, and mine much better….God bless each of you for all you did for us and I'm sure for all your other two and four legged patients.""
    ~E.D.
  • ""Thank you for saving my life." ~T.C."
    ~T.C.
  • ""I can not express how grateful I am for you and your staff… I appreciate everything you did in Beckham's treatment. He was so lucky to have such a wonderful doctor on his side. Thank you for all you do for the benefit of all our beloved pets.""
    ~L.B.
  • ""Dr. Johnson - There are no words that can truly capture your kindness.""
    ~G.B.
  • ""Thank you for the great care you took of Taco and the rest of our family. He is doing great now! He is enjoying running and playing with all four legs again.""
    ~W.C
  • ""People who avail themselves of your services at the clinic certainly are blessed to have such a caring staff....bless you and your devoted staff.""
    ~E.D.
  • ""A sincere thank you for taking such good care of Dulce. We are so thrilled that she is back to her normal self. You gave her the support and care she needed in her darkest hours and kept us confident in her recovery.""
  • ""Just to say how much we appreciate all of you. You all are wonderful people. We feel blessed to have our beloved furry children in your care when they need it. Your professional knowledge and your acts of kindness have a beautiful act all it's own. You are a great vet, compassionate and everything good all in one. You are in our daily prayers.""
    ~T.F.
  • ""Thank you and all of your staff for the excellent care you gave to my wonderful Abbey, who was so much a part of the family. Thank you for all the advice and support you gave to me these last few months. I don't know how I would have gotten through this without your constant support. I will, and I have highly recommended you to family and friends, as I feel you are the best!""
    ~P.B.
  • ""Thank you for taking care of my kitty, Slingshot. He is feeling better and better. My Paw-Paw said that you took extra special care of him and I really appreciate it. So, thank you again for taking care of my cat.""
    ~T.B. (age 6)
  • ""Dr. Johnson, I don't know why you decided to move here from your home in New Jersey, but I absolutely believe it was so you could help me and Mickey. I know coming to someone's home is not what a typical veterinarian would do, but you are obviously an extraordinary man in a world filled with ordinary men….On top of that, your sensitive and wonderful handwritten note arrived and touched my heart…You are one of those quiet, unheralded champions who make life easier for everyone you touch.""
    ~C.W.
  • ""Thank you so much for taking care of Lola when she had her reaction, and your office was already closed. I know you took time away from yourself and your family and I really appreciate it.""
    ~R.M.
  • ""Thank you for giving me more time with my best friend. We are all so grateful.""
    ~A.M.
  • ""Thank you for all of your support for Maxine during her illness. All was very much appreciated and will always be remembered. I have related to all my friends of what a great doctor and staff at Birdneck Animal Hospital.""
    ~O.B.
  • ""Thank you for taking such good care of me over the last 4 years. I am doing well and both legs and feet feel great. You sis an awesome job on me Dr. Johnson, and I'm gonna have a great year this year and I hope to see you only for my check up. You guys are the best!""
    ~Budkus
  • "We can't thank you enough for the wonderful and loving care you gave to"Budkus" while he was in your care. He was so little and so sick and we were so scared for him. Each and every one of the staff members made us feel like we had the only dog in the world. Like nothing else mattered except getting "Budkus" well again. Our deepest gratitude to all of you for the excellent care and attention we received, for your encouragement, comfort, and understanding, and most importantly for saving his life! Thank you so much.""
    ~ J.,B.,C.