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Everything You Need To Know About Pancreatic Cancer In Dogs

June 30th, 2009

The pancreas is responsible for producing digestive enzymes and hormones. This type of cancer is quite serious. It is usually fatal. Dogs don’t usually start showing signs until the disease has already progressed. Here is everything you need to know regarding canine pancreatic cancer.

Symptoms

While suffering from this disease, dogs usually develop tumors in their pancreas. Most dogs experience bloody stool. Diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite are also common signs. It’s also common for dogs to experience loss of coordination and seizures.

Diagnosis

As soon as symptoms occur, it’s best to go to the vet. As you just learned, most owners won’t know something is wrong until the disease has progressed. In order to diagnose this disease, the veterinarian will have to perform enzyme and blood tests to check for damage to the pancreas.

Treatment

Treatment for this disease is very difficult. Most dogs undergo surgery to treat pancreatic cancer. Surgery is ineffective is the cancer has already spread to other parts of the body. Tumors may also cause bowel obstruction as they grow. This will require gastrointestinal bypass surgery.

Some dogs are given radiation therapy and medication in addition to surgery. Most dogs are not given food so that the pancreas can rest and not have to secrete digestive enzymes. Instead, an IV will be used to give your dog has needed vitamins and nutrients.

Dogs can be affected by many common illnesses in canines. Fortunately, dog-illnesses.com provides a wealth of information on a range of these conditions. Click over right now.

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