It's important for pet parents to know the symptoms of pancreatic cancer in dogs so that treatment can begin early to try and prevent or limit the spread of this disease. Find out what to watch for below.
2 Roles of Your Dog's Pancreas
The pancreas is located near the start of your dog's small intestine and performs two essential functions:
- Pancreatic Exocrine Cells - The exocrine cells within your dog's pancreas work to produce enzymes that help to digest food.
- Pancreatic Endocrine Cells - The endocrine cells are responsible for the production of insulin and other hormones which either directly or indirectly affect the functioning of almost every organ in your dog's body.
Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer in Dogs
If your dog is diagnosed with a pancreatic tumor, the cells within a specific part of your pup's pancreas are overproducing (reproducing excessively). As with most tumors in animals and people, your dog's pancreatic tumor could be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
In dogs, malignant pancreatic tumors are more common than benign, however, both are relatively rare. The most common form of pancreatic cancer seen in dogs is insulinoma, followed by adenocarcinoma.
These different forms of pancreatic cancer result in different symptoms. If your dog is showing any of the symptoms listed below get your pup to the vet for an examination as soon as possible.
Insulinomas
Insulinoma tumors lead to the excessive production of insulin when there is no food in the stomach to trigger its normal release into the bloodstream. As a result of the unnecessary insulin, blood sugar levels are reduced and your pet will experience symptoms such as:
- Reduced energy
- Lack of enthusiasm for exercise
- Fainting after prolonged periods without food
- Lack of coordination
- Confusion
- Muscle twitching
- Seizures
Adenocarcinomas
Because the early signs of adenocarcinomas in dogs are vague, this form of pancreatic cancer is rarely diagnosed until the disease has progressed.
If the cancer has spread to other areas of your dog's body (which is common with this form of cancer) you may notice symptoms such as breathing difficulties or lameness. The other symptoms of adenocarcinomas in dogs are much the same as the symptoms of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) and may include:
- Reduced appetite
- Vomiting
- Lack of energy
- Abdominal pain
- Weight loss
- Jaundice
Diagnosing Pancreatic Cancer in Dogs
Pancreatic tumors can be challenging to diagnose. Besides being a relatively rare condition, the symptoms associated with these tumors often come and go. To further complicate the matter, these symptoms are also indicative of other more common conditions in dogs.
When you take your dog in for an examination your vet will take the time to ask you questions about your pup's medical history and do a thorough physical examination.
If your vet suspects that your dog may have pancreatic cancer they may refer you to a veterinary oncologist for further testing, staging and treatment or recommend one or more of the following diagnostic tests:
- Blood tests
- Glucose level exams
- Test for hypoglycemia
- X-rays (radiographs)
- CT Scan
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Biopsy
Staging
Pancreatic tumors commonly metastasize (spread to other parts of the body) before the disease is detected and diagnosed in dogs. For that reason, once pancreatic cancer has been diagnosed your vet may wish to do further tests to determine the extent of the disease, if the cancer has spread, and to where.
While it is common for pancreatic cancer in dogs to spread to the nearby liver or lymph nodes it could reach almost any part of the dog's body including the lungs, bone, or brain. In some cases, fluid build-up can be seen in the chest or abdomen causing breathing problems or a swollen abdomen.
Tests that your vet may recommend to determine the 'stage' of your dog's cancer could include:
- Blood tests
- Urinalysis
- Lung X-rays
- CT Scan
- Abdominal ultrasound
Progression of Pancreatic Cancer in Dogs
As well as the very real concern about the cancer spreading to other parts of your pup's body, there is the issue of damage to the pancreas caused by the growing tumor.
These tumors often lead to chronic inflammation of the pancreas called pancreatitis (which causes symptoms such as hunched back, repeated vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite, dehydration, weakness and fever), or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency EPI (which causes chronic diarrhea, weight loss and generalized poor health).
Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer in Dogs
In the case of insulinomas, surgery to remove the affected portion of the pancreas, followed by chemotherapy is typically considered the best treatment option. If surgery is not an option your vet may try to manage your dog's low blood sugar symptoms through a modified diet and feeding plan combined with medications to suppress insulin secretion.
Surgery is also considered to be the most effective treatment for adenocarcinomas although it does come with a very real risk of life-threatening complications. Your pup's surgeon or veterinary oncologist may remove part of the pancreas or all. In some cases, a portion of the small intestine will also be removed. Chemotherapy tends not to be effective in the treatment of adenocarcinomas in dogs.
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The Prognosis for Dogs with Pancreatic Cancer
Because pancreatic tumors tend to be malignant there is a high probability that the cancer has spread even before diagnosis has occurred, making the prognosis for dogs with pancreatic cancer poor.
Your vet or veterinary oncologist will be able to provide you with a prognosis for your dog based on the type of tumor and results from staging tests.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. Please make an appointment with your vet for an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition.