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Dog Liposarcoma

Veterinarian Reviewed on March 29, 2014 by Dr. Janice Huntingford

Dog Liposarcoma

Definition

Lipomas can be of three varieties. They can be benign, infiltrative or malignant. Malignant lipomas are called liposarcomas. They originate in the fat cells. They generally appear in a dog’s limbs but can also occur in other areas including a dog’s bones or the abdominal cavity. Cytological examination can distinguish them from lipomas. Liposarcomas are locally invasive. They can spread to bone, spleen, lungs and liver.

Signs and Symptoms

Most liposarcomas surface as lumps in the skin on the sides of a dog or along their neck and groin. Older dogs can develop these tumors in joints which can be very painful. If they are in the soft fatty tissue they are a bit soft and will give way if they are squeezed. On rare occasions, they can occur in the body cavity. There will be drooping of the stomach and Dog Swollen Abdomen and increased swelling on one side of the abdomen. Although they are not a particularly common type of tumor, they can occur and diligence should be practiced to prevent further complications.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of liposarcomas in the joints begins with an x-ray of the joints to be sure if it is not normal wear on aging joints. With abdominal x-rays and needle aspiration you can have a more accurate diagnosis of the lump.

Treatment Options

Surgical removal of this malignancy early in the stage of the disease will allow your dog to have a good prognosis and live a long active life. If you ignore the symptoms and the tumor becomes invasive, the prognosis can quickly become poor. Your veterinary oncologist will design a treatment plan, such as surgery followed by Dog Radiation Therapy. The radiation will assure that the malignancy has not spread in the immediate area of the original tumor.

Pain control

Dogs with cancer will undoubtedly also experience Dog Pain. The pain is not only due to the disease, but also the treatment. If your dog has surgery, there will be post-operative pain that you should take care of. As with humans who have had surgery, it is not a maybe, it is a definite. Your veterinarian will prescribe pain medication with allowable administration. You should not let the time pass. It is far easier to prevent the pain. Dogs often do not exhibit signs of pain, but rather go into seclusion as a defense mechanism. An animal in the wild will retreat from the pack in an effort to hide their vulnerability. Prevent this from happening with your dog. Give them the medicine they require.

Diet and Nutrition

Dogs with pain will also suffer from Dog Weight Loss. They often have a hard time eating due to digestive system involvement or when the tumor can interfere with chewing or swallowing. Pain will cause a Dog Loss of Appetite. This will result in the ensuing weight loss. Along with the weight loss is the lack of proper nutrition. The immune system can be greatly compromised by loss of appetite and subsequent poor nutrition. You may have to introduce new foods into your dog’s diet in order to help him maintain a healthy weight, such as with a Dog Cancer Diets and Dog Cancer Dietary Supplements. Veterinary oncologist may prescribe diets that are specifically designed for cancer patients. If you follow the directions of the pet care professional, your dog’s course of treatment and recovery will improve.

Suggested Products

Cancer Support Kit for Dogs
Nu-Pet Vitamin and Anti-Oxidant Wafers for Dogs

Additional Dog Cancer Pages

Dog Cancer | Dog Skin Cancer | Dog Bladder Cancer | Dog Pancreatic Cancer | Dog Bone Cancer | Dog Cancer Prevention | Dog Cancer Diagnosis | Dog Lymphoma Cancer | Dog Gastric Cancer | Dog Mast Cell Tumors

Read also: Dog Seizures
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Our Expert

Dr. Janice Huntingford
Janice Huntingford, DVM, has been in veterinary practice for over 30 years and has founded two veterinary clinics since receiving her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph. She has studied extensively in both conventional and holistic modalities. Ask Dr. Jan

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