Oral Cancer in Dogs – Check These Do’s And Don’ts

Canines fill our lives with utter happiness and excitement. There have been many reports of dogs helping heart patients to get over their problems. Mere company of these loyal animals is proven healthy for human beings. In return, it may be next to nothing that we take care of these pooches with all our heart. Dogs are needed to be protected from many threats like fleas, ticks, heartworms, diseases spread by these pests, etc. But, cancer can be the most difficult health condition for canines.

Among different cancer types, oral cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in canines. Tumors can be of two types- Benign and Malignant. The most frequently occurring benign tumors in dogs are epulides. Whereas, oral melanoma, oral squamous carcinoma and oral fibro sarcoma are the most common malignant cancers found in dogs. There are several things that pet parents may need to do and avoid at the same time for their pooch’s better oral health.

Let’s check the Do’s and Don’ts for early detection and treatment of oral cancer in dogs!

Do’s

For an early detection and treatment, look out for these symptoms in your pooches:

• Foul breath
• Blood coming from the mouth
• Swollen gland on the neck
• Chews with difficulty
• Weight loss
• Any unnatural growth inside the moth
• Swollen areas around mouth and eyes
• Excessive drooling

If any of these symptoms are observed, it is recommended to consult your vet immediately.

• Maintain a healthy diet. Avoid junk food for your furry friends and switching to home-made or raw food may help.
• Maintain your dog’s detailed history on hand. After every visit to your vet, ask him to e-mail the medical history. It may happen that the next time your pet needs a check-up and the vet is not available. Diagnosis by any other vet would be easier if the medical history is available.
• Switch to light food that your pooch can chew.
• Have a second opinion after the first diagnosis whether to go with a surgery or chemo.
• A routine check-up may help you determine this health hazard at an early stage.
• Take oral hygiene with utmost sincerity. Brush his teeth regularly. Using the rinsing solutions may decrease the risks of abnormal growths.

Don’ts

• Don’t miss the routine checkups of your canine. Most cases of cancer are the result of ignorance.
• Don’t pull your dog’s jaw every time you need to examine it. It may hurt your little one. Instead, teach him to obey the command “open” or any other suitable command. This will make things a lot easier.
• Don’t take the oral health of your pooch lightly.
• Don’t overlook the obvious symptoms of unhealthy situations.