Canine lung cancer is a devastating disease for dogs, and usually proves to be fatal. It is most often caused by cancer cells that have spread from other parts of the body to the lungs. On rare occasions, the cancer cells will originate in the lungs.
Symptoms
There will usually be no symptoms in the early stages of canine lunger cancer. Symptoms of later stages usually occur when the disease spreads to other parts of the body. They include heavy breathing, panting, and weight loss. Most dogs also experience a loss of appetite during the later stages.
Treatment
If the veterinarian suspects your dog has canine lung cancer, he may refer you to an oncologist who will be able to provide specialized treatment. Treatment of the disease depends on whether or not it has already begun to spread. If the disease is localized to one area, treatment will usually involve surgery. If it has already spread from other areas, canine lung cancer will have to be treated with radiation or chemotherapy.
Prognosis
Symptoms only appear during the late stages as stated earlier, so canine lung cancer is usually a fatal disease. The length of survival can range from a few months to a few years depending on how early it is detected. You may need to talk to your veterinarian about what signs to look for to determine when to euthanize your dog.