What Cancers Are Common in Dogs And What to Watch Out For

Dogs like humans contract life-threatening and aggressive diseases like cancer. According to veterinarian Dr. Mark Silberman, some dog breeds are at a higher risk of certain cancers than others.

Common Cancers in Popular Dog Breeds

Beagle - Mast cell tumor, Sebaceous gland tumor, Haemangiopericytoma, Perianal gland adenoma, Lymphosarcoma

Boston - Terrier Mast cell tumor, Melanoma, Fibroma, Primary brain tumor

Dalmatian - Actinic keratosis, Cutaneous haemangioma

German Shepherd - Colorectal neoplasia, Sweat gland tumor, Trichoepithelioma, Anal sac adenocarcinoma, Cutaneous haemangioma, Lymphoma, Myxoma, Nasal cavity tumors, Insulinoma, Limbal melanoma, Testicular neoplasia, Thymoma

Greyhound - None, though there are signs of haemangiosarcoma

Golden Retriever - Mast cell tumor, Sweat gland tumor, Trichoepithelioma, Melanoma, Haemangioma, Histiocytoma, Fibroma, Lymphosarcoma, Nasal cavity tumors, Thyroid neoplasia, Insulinoma, Primary brain tumor, Fibrosarcoma

Jack Russell - Pituitary tumor

Labrador Retriever - Mast cell tumor, Cutaneous histiocytoma, Sq. cell carcinoma, Nasal cavity tumors, Insulinoma, Lymphosarcoma, Limbal melanoma, Oral Fibrosarcoma, Thymoma

Maltese - None

Poodle - Basal cell tumor, Trichoepithelioma, Sebaceous gland tumor, Sq. cell carcinoma, Insulinoma, Pituitary tumor, Adrenalcortical tumor, Lymphosarcoma, Limbal melanoma, Oral melanoma, Testicular neoplasia

Scottish Terrier - Mast cell tumor, Melanoma, Histiocytoma, Squamous cell carcinoma, Lymphoma, Primary brain tumor

Shih Tsu - Sebaceous gland tumor, Perianal gland adenomas

Yorkshire Terrier - Keratocanthoma, Pituitary tumor, Testicular neopla

Warning Signs

Skin cancers rank the most common cancer in dogs, while bone, blood, gastrointestinal tract and lymph nodes are also sites where cancer cells develop. Cancer accounts for almost half of the deaths of dogs older than 10 years of age.

Watch out for these signs and behaviour changes which are indications that you should schedule a physical checkup at your vet's office as soon as possible: an abnormal new lump, changes to an existing lump, sores that refuse to heal, discharge or bleeding from any opening (nose, mouth, urinary, etc), difficulty in passing motion, difficulty in breathing, vomiting and diarrhea, limping, foul breath, body odour, and loss of stamina. Remember that early detection increases your canine's chances of survival.

Diet and Cancer

Amongst other factors, poor diet and nutrition based on processed foods are largely blamed for our modern day health problems faced by humans. Similarly this is what our furry pets are facing too - they rarely eat raw and are eating heavily processed dry foods. A change in diet especially during the time when they are suffering from cancer plays a key role in helping the animal fight cancer.