With our pets living to be older, dog and cat cancer is becoming more common. We all have a fear of this disease. Many owners will put off a trip to the vet when they see a lump on their pet, thinking that there is no treatment available, or they don’t want to think about it. Don’t put your head in the sand. Your pet depends on you to look after them. It is important to remember a few things:

1. All cancers are not the same.
a. Some tumours are classed as malignant, some as benign.
i. Malignant tumours are fast growing and have a high risk of spreading. Some malignant tumours can spread by metastasis (moving through the bloodstream or the lymphatic system to distant parts of the body) where some will spread by infiltration or local growth.
ii. Benign tumours grow slowly and do not metastasise. They can occasionally cause trouble if they grow too big.

2. You often cannot tell whether a tumour is benign or malignant by looking at it. Collecting a biopsy or sample of a tumour can tell us much more about it.

3. Some tumours are easily treated by early surgical excision. Early detection and treatment is and important factor in successful treatment, so don’t put off your visit. All patients for surgery receive high levels of pain control to ensure they recover happily.

4. Some tumours are curable with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy in pets is used as a stand alone therapy or as an aid following surgery. Chemotherapy in dogs and cats is usually tolerated without many of the unpleasant side effects seen in people such as hair loss and loss of appetite.

If you are concerned about a lump or bump on your pet, make an appointment with your vet as soon as possible. It is essential for a successful outcome.