So, what are the warning signs that your Doodle Dog may have cancer? Anyone who has had a dog knows that finding out they have cancer can be the hardest thing to go through.
Often, they find it too late because knowing the warning signs can be hard.
There is also the fact that when it comes to dogs, such as doodles, the warning signs will often look very similar to other issues that are very common among dogs.
Here are a few dog cancer symptoms, specifically doodle breed types. When it comes to dogs like doodles, their coats, and basic body traits will often mask the warning signs because they have a thick coat and are generally on the leaner side.
So make sure you watch them for strange things that were never there before or behaviors they have not expressed much.
Physical Symptoms
Weight Loss
What are the warning signs that your Doodle Dog may have cancer? Top on the list is going to be weight loss. When it comes to this, dogs often start dropping weight out of nowhere.
It will be unexplainable and seemingly sudden because their body focuses more on stopping cancer than taking care of the body.
Vomiting or Diarrhea
With some types of dog cancer, the dog’s body will start rejecting all nutrients. This can be to starve cancer, though it will also end up starving the dog.
Lumps and bumps
Cancer can show up as lumps and bumps on the skin. This is just one of many common dog cancer symptoms.
It generally appears around the cancer area because the cells push the skin outward.
It can be scary, especially when searching for things like dog cancer symptoms and skin because it can manifest in many scary ways.
Physical Pain: Another aspect of dog cancer symptoms will be extreme pain as cancer presses on nerves.
At the same time, this is a big sign that shows up a lot. It can be attributed to injury or things like arthritis.
Distended abdomen: This will show up with some of the most aggressive dog cancer, stomach cancer.
Stomach cancer in dogs is often something they cannot return from because they will stop eating or drinking altogether.
Abnormal Bleeding/Discharge
If you see abnormal bleeding or discharge in your dog, immediately bring them to the vet.
Sometimes this can be a symptom of other issues as well. However, with it being a common symptom of dog cancer, it is better to be safe than sorry.
If you should see any of these signs a dog is dying of cancer, Check with a well-qualified Veterinarian for a more in-depth diagnosis!
Behavioral Symptoms
Lethargy
Next on the list of the warning signs that your Doodle Dog may have cancer is they may be becoming lethargic and sleeping a lot more.
This can be a major sign of cancer. If your energetic dog is not nearly as hyper, it is best to bring them in to get checked out.
Depression
They may start getting depressed because they can sense what is happening. When they have a dog cancer symptom like this, then it may be a fact that they may have a more aggressive form of cancer.
If that is the case, still bring them in so the vet can help them become more comfortable.
Hiding
Dogs form bonds with their very strong owners. They can sense and hide our pain from us so we do not have to watch them go through it.
They may begin hiding under beds or other places around the house. If you notice they do this more often, bring them in quickly.
Aggressiveness
Some will develop aggression that they never had before. This is seen most often in dogs who have brain cancer.
This is because cancer could be pressing down on parts of their brain that affect their moods. They could also become aggressive due to the pain that they are experiencing because of cancer.
Cuddling
Just like with the hiding aspect, they may start cuddling a lot more with people they care about. This is to get comfortable and comfort you with what is happening.
Sometimes people will attribute this to old age or separation anxiety.
Other behavioral changes
There are a ton of other changes that they may experience as warning signs for cancer. Just be sure to take note of sudden, unexplained changes to their behavior.
If the changes seem odd, always bring them in to get checked out to be on the safe side.
If you should see any of these signs a dog is dying of cancer, Check with a well-qualified Veterinarian for a more in-depth diagnosis!
Other Symptoms
Seizures
This is a common answer to the question, what are the warning signs that your Doodle Dog may have cancer? These are commonly seen in older dogs.
Cancer may be affecting the spine or the brain in a way that the seizures pop out of nowhere. However, if you do have a dog that has always had seizures, keep an eye on how many.
This symptom in those dogs will manifest as an upswing in frequency or even a sudden drop.
Appetite changes
This is the main one that you must look out for. This one will pop up mainly towards the end of the cancer’s growth.
They will stop eating and drinking when their body starts to feel the effects of cancer. Bring them in to get checked out and comfortable, just in case.
Strong Odor
They can develop cancer in the mouth or other parts of the stomach. Cancer can make their breath smell bad.
If you are finding that your dog has a strong odor from the mouth that you have never noticed before take them to a vet.
Weird Gum Color
This one is not as easy to notice, but if you find that gradually your dogs’ gums are changing color, bring them in.
This can be a sign of types of dog cancers such as leukemia or stomach cancer. Abnormal gum color can also be a sign of a lack of oxygen.
Skin Lesions
They may be a sign of cancer as well. Many types of dog cancers do include dog cancer symptoms skin has. If they have skin cancer, the lesions may not be visible through their coat.
Check their skin often to ensure there is nothing not there before. Skin Lesions may not necessarily mean that they have cancer. Have them checked out just to be safe.
Enlarged Lymph Nodes
These can be felt when petting, playing, or even washing a dog’s fur. Their lymph nodes, like humans, can swell up in response to cancer and other issues. If you feel one, call your vet to get an appointment immediately.
Genital irregularities
Regarding reproductive cancer in dogs, especially males, it can be obvious what is going on.
If you are seeing abnormalities in your dog’s genitals, bring them in because they can quickly become life-threatening, so time is of the essence.
If you should see any of these signs a dog is dying of cancer, Check with a well-qualified Veterinarian for a more in-depth diagnosis!
In Conclusion:
Cancer in dogs is something that often goes undetected because the symptoms are so like other things.
The best thing to remember is that if you feel it is cancer, get them in. It does not matter if your gut feeling is wrong; that is ok.
Ensure you watch for things that are strange and unusual about them throughout their life. Most people believe that only dogs who are up there in age can get cancer easier. This may not be true!
Their skin is the biggest thing to keep an eye on regarding doodles. Their fur makes it hard to see lumps, bumps, and lesions.
This type of breed of skin cancer goes unnoticed to most of the time. Doodle owners do not think about checking their skin all the time. Ensure you are taking your dog in for regular checkups and physicals.
If cancer is something that you are concerned about, then do not hesitate to call the veterinarian. Your veterinarian cares about your dog just as much as you do.
Their love of animals is their biggest drive to become a veterinarian. Contacting your veterinarian often is crucial to ease your mind.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is not intended nor implied to be a replacement for a professional medical opinion, diagnosis, or remedy. All content, including graphics, text, images, and information on or available through this article, is for general information purposes only.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!!
