When our Glendale vets have the sad task of diagnosing cancer in a dog, the owner's first question is typical - how long can a dog live with cancer? The questions might also be specific. How long can a dog live with bone/mammary/ liver/adrenal/bladder cancer? Today. our vets explain why that's such a difficult question to answer even with today's advanced diagnostics and treatments.
Cancer in Dogs
As with humans, there are a huge number of cancers that dogs can develop. Dog cancers vary greatly in the speed at which they spread and grow, how easy they are to treat, and the predicted life expectancy for dogs diagnosed with that particular cancer.
Factors such as your dog's age, breed, and overall health may also have a bearing on how long your dog survives after receiving a cancer diagnosis.
Types of Cancers Commonly Seen in Dogs
Dogs of any breed or size can develop cancer although some cancers appear to strike certain breeds more often - such as the high incidence rates of bladder cancer in Scottish Terriers.
Some of the most common cancers seen in dogs are:
- Lymphoma/Lymphosarcoma
- Mast Cell Tumors
- Skin Cancer
- Bone Cancer - Hemangiosarcoma
- Fibrosarcoma
- Mammary cancer
- Adrenal cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Bladder Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Liver Cancer
Predicting Life Expectancy For Dogs With Cancer
Trying to predict the life expectancy for a dog with cancer is extremely difficult for vets, particularly considering that few pets with cancer will die naturally. When symptoms become severe many pet parents opt to euthanize their dog as a way to prevent suffering. Meaning that, for many dogs with cancer it is the pet owner that ultimately decides how long their dog lives following a cancer diagnosis. This is why it's hard to predict how long a dog can live with cancer, with or without treatment.
With that in mind, consider the case of two dogs diagnosed with same cancer. One dog may receive the best cancer treatment available and live a good quality of life for a year or more, whereas the other may belong to a family who cannot afford such treatment and must be euthanized soon after diagnosis.
It is also the case that some cancers are relatively easy to remove surgically if diagnosed early, whereas for other cancers surgery is not an option. For some chemotherapy may be effective, whereas other cancers may not respond to chemo at all.
What Your Vet Can Tell You
While your vet will be able to give you information regarding the average lifespan of dogs with particular cancer this number may not be accurate in terms of how long your beloved pet might live.
Nonetheless, your vet should be able to provide you with information regarding how your dog's disease is likely to progress and whether effective treatments are available.
Your veterinarian understands how upsetting it is to learn that your dog has cancer and that you will want the most accurate information possible to help you decide the best course of action for your canine companion.
Trust that your vet has your dog's best interests at heart - and yours.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.