Signs and symptoms that your dog might be dying of cancer
As a pet parent, it's crucial to prioritise your dog's quality of life when dealing with cancer. Each dog's situation is unique, and what matters most is ensuring your pup's overall well-being.
Pay close attention to any changes in your dog's behaviour or physical condition, as early symptoms of cancer can often be subtle and easy to miss.
However, if their condition has progressed to the point where treatment is no longer effective or their quality of life is severely compromised, it's essential to have an open and honest discussion with your veterinarian. This conversation can help you make the most informed decision for your dog's well-being and ensure they're comfortable and cared for, even in their final stages.
Recognising the symptoms of cancer in dogs
If your dog is experiencing unmanageable symptoms that decrease their quality of life, it may be a sign that cancer is advancing. Keep an eye out for these indicators:
Laboured breathing or difficulty catching their breath
Loss of appetite
Lethargy
Inability to control bowel movements or urination
Restlessness, insomnia
Unusual vocalisation or moaning
Changes in behaviour, such as hiding or reactivity
Unusual odours from your dog's mouth, ears, or body
Loss of appetite or rapid weight loss in dogs
Coughing or difficulty in breathing
If these signs persist and cannot be managed with medication, it may be time to consider humane euthanasia. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the best course of action for your dog's comfort and well-being.
Understanding the
stages of cancer in dogs
Cancer staging is crucial in determining the extent of cancer spread in a dog's body, which significantly impacts the prognosis and treatment plan. According to petMD, adapted from the World Health Organization's (WHO) cancer-staging system for humans, the TNM system assesses the cancer's progression based on three key factors:
1. T (Tumour size):
This factor evaluates the size of the tumour and its invasion into surrounding vital structures.
A larger tumour or one that has invaded nearby tissues may indicate a more advanced stage of cancer.
2. N (Lymph nodes):
This factor determines whether the cancer has spread to the lymphatic system, specifically to localised or distant lymph nodes. The extent of lymph node involvement significantly affects the prognosis, with more widespread involvement indicating a poorer outlook.
3. M (Metastasis):
This factor indicates whether the cancer has metastasised to other organs in the body. The presence of metastasis typically worsens the prognosis, as it can make the cancer more challenging to treat effectively with chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Also read |
Frequent urination a warning sign of diabetes: Here's what you need to know
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
12 hours ago
- News18
MBBS Without NEET? Study Medicine In These 5 Countries
1/8 For many Indian students aspiring to become doctors, cracking the NEET exam can be a daunting hurdle. However, several countries offer quality MBBS education without requiring NEET scores and at a fraction of the cost compared to private medical colleges in India. (Image: Canva) Russia: Russia is one of the most popular destinations for Indian medical aspirants. Many of its government universities are recognised by international medical bodies. The low tuition fees, subsidised accommodation, and strong Indo-Russian ties make it a favourable choice. Top universities include Bashkir State Medical University and Kazan Federal University. (Image: Canva) Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyzstan has emerged as a top low-cost destination for Indian students due to its simplified admission process, low cost of living, and presence of NMC-approved universities. Hostel facilities and Indian food are also commonly available, making it a student-friendly choice. (Image: Canva) Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan is also known for its affordable education and good infrastructure. Medical universities here offer high-quality education and sufficient clinical exposure. Many Indian students choose this country due to its relatively easy visa process and cultural familiarity. (Image: Canva) bChinese medical universities attract thousands of Indian students every year. While NEET is not always required for admission, it is needed to return and practice in India. The curriculum, infrastructure, and exposure to advanced medical technology are some of the highlights. (Image: Canva) Philippines: The Philippines offers an American-style medical curriculum and is a preferred destination due to its cultural similarity, tropical climate, and affordable education. Students also benefit from strong English proficiency across the country, easing communication in hospitals and classrooms. (Image: Canva) While these countries may not require NEET for admission, Indian students must qualify NEET if they wish to appear for the FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Examination) in India and practice as a doctor. It is also important to verify whether the medical university is recognised by the National Medical Commission (NMC) before applying. (Image: Canva)
Indian Express
19 hours ago
- Indian Express
‘WHO initiative to ensure affordable eyecare services for all by 2030'
Over 800 million people across the world have vision problems and do not have access to eye care, said Dr Yutaro Setoya, Team Lead Non-communicable Diseases and Comorbidities, World Health Organisation (WHO) India. Dr Setoya was addressing a conference on adolescent eye health in India — with a special focus on the alarming increase in myopia — at Amity University, Noida. The conference was organised by WHO and Drishti, an NGO working to create awareness on eye care, founded by Amity student Sanjana Chauhan. 'Vision problems affect millions of people worldwide. It not only affects your eyesight, but also affects your education, economic productivity, and overall well-being. Children and adolescents between five and 15 years of age suffer from vision impairment and refractive errors,' Dr Setoya said. Dr Setoya added that the WHO has launched a global initiative — 'Global Specs 2030' — to ensure that everyone has access to affordable eyecare services by 2030. 'Our vision health champions are the youth ambassadors for adolescent eye care because we believe in the power of youth as catalysts of change.'
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Study estimates over 9% of world's lands at high risk of animal-to-human infections
New Delhi: Over nine per cent of the world's land area is at "high" or "very high" risk of a zoonotic outbreak -- triggered when an infection spreads from an animal to a human or vice versa, such as the Covid pandemic, according to a study. Findings published in the journal Science Advances also estimate 3 per cent of the global population to be living in extremely risky areas, and about a fifth in medium-risk areas. Researchers, including those from the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) Scientific Development Programmes Unit in Italy, analysed location-specific information from the 'Global Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology Network' dataset and the World Health Organization's (WHO) list of diseases prioritised according to their potential for causing an epidemic or a pandemic. Covid, Ebola, coronavirus-related MERS and SARS, and Nipah are among the most prioritised infections in the WHO's list. The team's analysis suggests that conditions driven by climate change -- higher temperatures and rainfall, and water shortage -- elevate the risk of zoonosis, or 'spillover events'. The study "presents a global risk map and an epidemic risk index that combines countries' specific risk with their capacities for preparing and responding to zoonotic threats (excluding SARS-CoV-2)." "Our results indicate that 9.3 per cent of the global land surface is at high (6.3 per cent) or very high (three per cent) risk," the authors wrote. They also estimated about 7 per cent of Asia's and 5 per cent of Africa's land area to be at high and very high risk of outbreak, following Latin America (27 per cent) and Oceania (18.6 per cent). Overall, the authors found that climate-related changes to the environment substantially drove a region's vulnerability to the risk of a spillover event. They wrote, "This underscores the need for continued monitoring and the integration of climate adaptation and mitigation efforts into public health planning." "Translating these risk estimates into an epidemic risk index allows for the identification of high-risk areas and supports policymakers in improving response capacities, allocating resources effectively, and fostering international collaboration to address global health threats ," the team said. A study by the Indian Council of Medical Research found that over 8 per cent of outbreaks reported between 2018 and 2023 under the country's infectious disease surveillance system were zoonotic. Of a total of 6,948 outbreaks analysed, 583 (8.3 per cent) were spread to humans from animals. Outbreaks were also found to consistently peak during June, July, and August. The findings were published in The Lancet Regional Southeast Asia journal in May this year.
