My Dog Has Cancer: In Order To Treat It Should I Go to a Vet or Specialist?
Q: I just found out my dog has cancer. Can my normal vet treat her or do I need to take her to a specialist?
A: Unfortunately, there are many different kinds of cancers that can affect animals. Each type of cancer has its own affects, treatment options, and prognosis. Certain forms of cancer are extremely malignant and cannot be treated. Others can be cured or controlled with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of these treatments. Veterinary oncologists specialize in cancer and its treatment. While your normal vet can guide you and discuss options with you, they may want to refer you to a veterinary oncologist, especially if radiation or chemotherapy is an option for your pet.
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Comments (5)
Anonymous February 27, 2009 8:45 PM
How do you tell if your pet has cancer? Do you have to go to the vet? Would your dog lost weight like people?
What does skin cancer look like on a dog? How would it get it? From the sun? Does it look like little warts?
Mark February 28, 2009 7:05 PM
I found out my dog had cancer by going to the Vet. They did an x-ray in the morning and called me later that day with the bad news. The dog wasn't losing weight at the time, but some of his glands were enlarged (below/behind his ears) They told me he had about 3 months. For the next month he seemed fine, but in the second month he DID begin to lose weight, and the third month it was time to put him down.
Lisa April 6, 2009 11:19 AM
I have a four yr. old part Siamese male. We recently noticed that both of his ears have been missing some fur. One of his ears has a small lump. I am very concerned. We are taking him to his Vet.this afternoon.
Roberta June 19, 2009 8:54 AM
What can you tell me about GMA in little white dogs. We lost our Maltese to this diease 6 years ago and I still have trouble accepting it. Has there been any advances in a cure for it?
susan July 25, 2009 10:27 AM
my dog has just been diagnosed with a huge tumor in his mouth, we took him to our vet 2 months ago complaining of his excessive drooling, and she did not do a proper exam otherwise she would have seen it. She said it was due to old age. Is there anything I can do? Get my money back for that visit? file a complaint? Not sure what I can do?
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