Symptoms Of Pancreatic Cancer In Dogs

Pancreatic cancer in dogs is a very serious condition. It usually has a fatal outcome because the symptoms only appear in an advanced stage. The pancreas is important because it produces the necessary hormones and enzymes in our body. The age at which this cancer occurs in dogs is on average around 9 years.

Symptoms Of Pancreatic Cancer In Dogs

The tumors, namely the insulinomas, will produce an excess of insulin and this reduces the blood sugar level of the dog. Symptoms that may arise are overtaking, epileptic seizures, weakness, confused behavior, reduced stamina and coordination problems. In addition, the dog will have blood in the stool. Other common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting and loss of appetite.

Diagnosis

If you notice that the dog shows many of these symptoms, it is important that you go to the vet as soon as possible. Usually your dog is already in an advanced stage. The vet will perform an enzyme and blood test.

Therapy

This form of cancer is difficult to treat. Surgery is the most effective method of treatment. However, if the disease has already spread to other parts of the body, surgery will not have any effect.

In addition, the vet may opt for radiation and prescribe medicines. This medication ensures that no insulin is released into the blood and prevents the tissues from absorbing too much sugar from the blood. This medication, however, only provides for the control of the symptoms. Unfortunately, it can not prevent the tumor from spreading.

The dog may not eat so that the pancreas can rest and no digestive enzymes are secreted. He will be fed with the necessary nutrients and vitamins by intravenous treatment.

Prognosis

The forecast is very bad. Once the symptoms appear, the cancer is already in an advanced stage and the dog will die within the year. Dogs treated with medication only survive for a further 2.5 months. Dogs on which the tumor was removed, on the other hand, was on average 1 to 1.5 years. But the survival rate is different from dog to dog and is usually between 6 months and 4 years after surgery.