Often treatable

Tumor diseases in dogs

von Dr. Alena Soukup & Team // 24. January 2025

It's the same with dogs as with humans: as life expectancy increases, so does the likelihood of developing a tumor. However, dogs today are not necessarily more susceptible to cancer than in the past. However, two factors ensure that tumors are detected more frequently: Firstly, we often regard our dogs as fully-fledged family members, for whom we also have extensive diagnostics carried out. Secondly, these diagnostics and the treatment itself in modern veterinary medicine are often so good that many diseases have a good prognosis in the long term.

Around one in four dogs will develop cancer in the course of their lives. However, "cancer" is not a single disease, but rather a collective term for a large and very heterogeneous group of tumor diseases. There are also tumors in dogs that can be controlled very well and in the long term. However, we also see tumors that can only be treated palliatively. Here we try to enable the highest possible quality of life in the short time remaining. The most common tumors in dogs are addressed here and in some cases treated further.

Please note that this information cannot and should not replace a thorough examination and veterinary work-up.

Hirntumoren bei Hunden können behandelt werden

Brain tumors

The early symptoms of tumors in the brain are often less obvious. Brain tumors in dogs are not that rare, accounting for around 2-4.5% of the dog population, and even young dogs can develop them. As these tumors cannot be seen from the outside, they can only be detected by clinical signs and abnormalities. It is therefore all the more important to interpret these clinical signs correctly and have them checked by a vet in good time.

Hund mit Mastzelltumor steht bei der Strahlentherapie

Mast cell tumors

Mast cell tumors are among the most common tumors in our dogs. They originate from cells of the immune system, the mast cells, which can also be found almost everywhere in the body of healthy animals. Mast cell tumors usually occur in the skin and subcutaneous tissue, but internal organs such as the digestive system can also be affected. These tumors can vary greatly in aggressiveness and treatment can be very complex.

Hund mit Nasenbluten liegt auf dem Boden

Nasal tumors

If our dogs show increased sneezing, nosebleeds or seem to pull up their nose, the list of differential diagnoses should not only include foreign bodies such as burrs in the nose or infections. Tumors of the nasal cavity are also possible. It is particularly important to clarify the symptoms at an early stage and to react quickly in the event of a tumor. The earlier treatment begins, the better the prognosis.

Bone tumors

Unfortunately, our dogs also suffer from bone cancer. Unfortunately, in many cases these tumors are very aggressive osteosarcomas and are treated aggressively accordingly. The longest survival time is often achieved by amputation of the affected limb followed immediately by chemotherapy. If amputation is not an option, palliative radiotherapy or stereotactic radiotherapy can be carried out.