Bladder Cancer in Dogs – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options Available
Bladder Cancer in Dogs – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options Available
Article by Jeff Grill
Bladder cancer in dogs is a serious problem for which several therapies are available. These include surgery for small masses, chemotherapy, medications and radiation. Of these, radiation is usually not used since medications appear to be equally effective.
The most common symptoms of bladder cancer in dogs include blood in the urine, difficulty in urination and defecation, urinating frequently but passing only a few drops at a time, difficulty breathing, and inactivity. If your dog shows any of these symptoms and does not get better with simple treatments, you should consult your vet immediately and do additional tests to find out the cause. If the vet confirms that your dog is indeed suffering from bladder cancer, here are some of the options you have.
Chemotherapy – This is the most expensive treatment option available to treat dog bladder cancer. Dogs tolerate chemotherapy well, although there are side effects such as the loss of hair and vomiting.
Surgery – If the tumor is small, it can be surgically removed by a qualified oncologist. However, if the tumor is big in size or if it is found in certain parts of the bladder which are too delicate for surgery, this option should be ruled out.
Anti inflammatory drugs – Certain non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs can stunt the growth of cancerous tumors in dogs. So, they are used to treat bladder cancer in dogs commonly. However, there are significant side effects involved with these drugs.
The common thing with all these conventional treatment methods is that there are risks of side effects, pain, and suffering involved in all these methods. Particularly, if your dog is very old, it might not be strong enough to cope with these treatments. This is where natural herbal treatments can help you.
Natural treatment for bladder cancer in dogs involves a healthy diet, plenty of exercise, and a regular dose of herbal supplements. Note that herbal supplements are not a replacement for conventional therapy, however, in dogs that respond they may help to strengthen the immune system.
Herbal supplements contain ingredients such as milk thistle, cat’s claw, mistletoe, and Indian ginseng. These substances can help to prevent free radical damage in your dog’s body via the use of antioxidants, contribute to an improvement in the immune system, and help to flush the toxins out of its system. You can also give homeopathic supplements to improve its urogenital health.
These are some of the tips which can help you support dog bladder cancer naturally in dogs suffering from the condition. At the end of the day, as a dog owner, you should do what is best for your dog in consultation with a veterinarian or veterinary oncologist. So, consider the pros and cons of different treatment options available for bladder cancer in dogs and make an informed decision today.
About the Author
Jeff Grill is an editor of the Dog Health Guide and has written on many canine health problems. See this site for more information on natural bladder cancer in dogs treatment options.
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