Dog Stomach Tumor

The most common tumors that veterinarians find in a dog’s stomach are adenocarcinoma. Other types that have been found are Dog Lymphoma Cancer, Dog Mast Cell Tumors, leiomysarcoma, fibrosacroma, plasmacytoma and extramedulary.

Adenocarcinomas frequently metastasize to the lymph nodes. The lymph nodes will lead to the liver and other organs. Combined, these tumors make up about 1% of all malignant tumors. Stomach tumors affect senior dogs and more frequently, male dogs.

Signs and Symptoms

Bloody Dog Vomiting is the most common symptom in dogs that have stomach tumors. Their digestive system becomes impaired and therefore weight loss is evident. Your dog will also exhibit signs of weakness and lethargy due to poor nutrition.

Diagnosis

The most accurate diagnostic test is a gastroscopic examination. A very small tube is inserted in your dog’s mouth and into their stomach. The veterinarian can then see the status of the stomach and can note the presence of a tumor. Your dog will be sedated for the procedure. During the procedure your veterinarian can obtain a biopsy of the actual tumor to determine if the tumor is cancerous or not.

Treatment Options

For all tumors except lymphomas, surgery is the treatment of choice. It the tumor is within the stomach and has not spread to other areas, your dog will benefit from the surgery. For the most part, this is not a cure; it is merely a procedure that will increase your dogs comfort level. A lot depends on the type of tumor, the stage of the disease and whether or not it has metastasized to surrounding tissue or other organs.

Dog Radiation Therapy and Dog Cancer Chemotherapy are not recommended for treatment of stomach tumors.

Home care

Your dog will obviously experience Dog Pain. It is up to you, the owner, to follow your veterinarian’s recommendations and administer pain medicine at regular intervals. You don’t want your dog to suffer in silence and become reclusive, which is the normal behavior for dogs that are in pain. Pain prevention is the desired activity. Remember that it is easier to prevent than to relieve pain. Administering medication as prescribed can give your dog a much better quality of life during treatment, after treatment and as long as you are with your dog. Cancer itself is painful. The treatment is equally painful at times.

Diet and Nutrition

It is vitally important to maintain a good nutritional status in your dog. Not eating due to the tumor can cause malabsorbtion of protein and cause wasting. As your dog begins to lose weight, his immune system may be going right along with it. You need nutrients to maintain a healthy body. Often vitamin and mineral supplements, and other Dog Cancer Dietary Supplements may be ordered to maintain adequate nutrition. High protein diets are usually the hallmark of a good Dog Cancer Diets. Finding the right food is important. It may be best to prepare your dogs food in your home.

Finding a veterinary oncologist may be a good first step after diagnosis. Their research and abilities are on the front line of cancer treatment. Many are located within veterinary colleges. To find a veterinary oncologist, you may want to do a web search for locations that are within your home area or drivable distance.

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