Almost half of dogs over age 10 will develop cancer, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Even more alarming is that cancer in dogs doesn’t always come with loud warning bells. These 10 signs are easy to overlook but they could be the only initial clues you’ll get.
10. Changes in Bathroom Habits
Never assume that increased urination is just a sign of aging in your dog. This, along with difficulty in urinating, could indicate infections, blockages, or a tumor in the urinary tract, making it hard for urine to flow normally. Gastrointestinal cancers have also been linked to chronic diarrhea that doesn’t respond to treatment.
9. Limping
Limping that comes and goes may also indicate an underlying health concern like cancer, specifically bone cancer. This is especially common in large and giant dog breeds, and it causes persistent limping that gets worse over time. In case limping doesn’t improve within a few days, consider it a red flag that suggests something serious.
8. Changes in Eating Habits
Tumors can also affect a dog’s ability to eat. For instance, oral tumors can make chewing difficult or painful, while throat cancer can make swallowing nearly impossible. Oral tumors may also cause pets to change their preference from hard to soft foods. Meanwhile, internal cancers like liver cancer can affect digestion, leading to loss of appetite.
7. Persistent Coughing
According to the Animal Cancer Foundation, a dry and non-productive cough in an older dog is one of the most common signs of lung cancer. While there are many reasons for coughing in dogs, a chronic one (plus difficulty in breathing) may indicate a more serious health condition. If cough persists, consider bringing your dog to the vet and taking chest radiographs.
6. Wounds That Don’t Heal
Cancer can disrupt your pet’s immune function, and so the disease may result in wounds that take forever to heal. Remember, wound healing can be disrupted if your pet’s immune system is busy fighting off another infection. If you notice a cut, hot spot, or scrape that isn’t healing within weeks or keeps reopening, take that as a sign to promptly visit your local vet.
5. Weight Loss
There are instances when dogs haven’t changed their eating habits but will still experience weight loss. A loss of even 10% of your dog’s body weight (without dietary changes) is enough reason to see the vet. Weight loss can be a sign of cancer in dogs because cancer cells consume glucose and other nutrients that would normally go to healthy cells.
4. Changes in Behavior
In addition to the frustrating fact that dogs can’t tell us if something’s wrong, they also have the tendency to hide pain. Sudden aggression or anxiety can be a sign of internal discomfort. Oral cancers and bone cancer can also cause chronic pain that affects a dog’s behavior. Since dogs are creatures of habit, a significant change in their routine or normal personality deserves an attention.
3. Small Lumps
Unfortunately, you can’t tell if a lump is cancerous just by touching it. So if you happen to see one that’s growing rapidly or irregularly shaped on your dog’s body, have it checked for cancer. Even small lumps can be malignant and may spread to other parts of the dog’s body.
2. Loss of Interest in Play
Even the seemingly harmless situation that your dog doesn’t want to play may indicate that something’s wrong in their body. Cancer can make a dog feel uncomfortable, leading them to skip running around like they used to. And as pointed out, cancer can change how the body processes energy, resulting in feelings of weakness.
1. Bad Breath
Bad breath is often linked to dental problems, but the truth is it can also be a warning sign of throat or mouth cancer. Cancer in a dog’s mouth causes tissue death or infection, creating a foul smell. If your dog’s breath suddenly smells strange in a new way, it’s worth having your vet take a look.