Dog Adrenal Gland Tumor

As a dog owner you want your dog to be healthy and well throughout their whole life, but unfortunately this doesn’t always happen. There are several different tumors and lumps that your dog can get, with some being normal and others being deadly. One type of tumor which is very common amongst dogs is the Adrenal Gland tumor.

Adrenal Gland explained

The Adrenal glands are very small glands which are found in dogs. They are buried in the fat directly in front of the kidneys. Their function is to regulate important hormones and they influence the function of your dog’s vital organs. The Adrenal Gland is made up of two very important parts: the cortex and the medulla. Both of these can develop tumors and serious diseases. If these glands are not functioning correctly then it is very likely that there is a tumor present that is stopping them from working correctly.

Symptoms of Adrenal Gland tumor

If your dog begins to have Dog Increased Thirst and then Dog Increased Urination, Dog Appetite Increase, thinning skin and thinning coat then you will need to consider they may have a tumor. The tumor will cause changes in the hormone levels in your dog, which will cause these symptoms. Also their blood glucose levels will increase and your dog may experience Dog High Blood Pressure which will, in turn, cause an increased risk of blood clots. If you are concerned that your dog has these symptoms then you should seek veterinary assistance so as to correctly diagnose the problem.

Diagnosis of the tumor

You will need to have your dog properly diagnosed as soon as possible. Your vet will need to run a series of tests to decide what is wrong with your dog. Often CT and MRI scans will help to locate the tumor and in some cases an ultra sound will be able to detect them. The tumors will be causing dis-comfort to your dog so you have to get them diagnosed as soon as possible. Dogs with any form of cancer will need to be treated in a certain way and have a specific Dog Diet.

Treatment of the tumor

How your vet decides to treat the tumor will depend on several different factors, such as the age of your dog and their overall health. Often, if your dog is well enough, they will have the tumor removed surgically or a drug may be given to try and shrink it. The surgery is a very complicated procedure and there are often complications afterwards. If your dog is too old or ill then they can be given a drug to help with the pain and to attempt to shrink the tumor.

Aftercare for your dog

Your dog will need supplements to help the adrenal glands to recover and begin producing the correct levels of hormones again. Some dogs do require these supplements for life and others recover better and can be taken off of them. Your dog will need to be monitored closely and have regular checkups with your vet until they are happy with your dog’s progress.