Health A-Z
Cancer
Owner and veterinary guidance with linked treatments and source citations.
Cancer
Species: Dog
Breeds Affected: All Breeds (more common in older dogs; certain breeds prone to specific cancers)
Clinical review: Veterinary reviewer metadata is not available yet.
Guidance by audience
Use the global Pet owner/Vet toggle in the header. Each mode shows only what that audience needs.
For Pet Owners
Quick summary
Cancer in dogs is a broad group of diseases where cells grow uncontrollably, invade surrounding tissue, and may spread (metastasize). It can affect any body part (skin, bone, blood, organs). Older dogs are much more likely to develop cancer, and some breeds have higher incidences of particular types (e.g. Boxers and Golden Retrievers are prone to mast cell tumors; large/giant breeds like Great Danes or St. Bernards have higher risk of bone cancer). Track appetite, hydration, stool/urine changes, energy level, and symptom pattern over time.
Red flags
Call your vet today: Persistent or worsening symptoms. Emergency now: Collapse, severe breathing issues, seizures, uncontrolled bleeding, or severe pain.
What to expect at the vet
Diagnosis should combine history, exam findings, and condition-specific testing.
Prevention checklist
Reduce preventable risk through hygiene, vaccination/preventives when applicable, and routine veterinary follow-up.
For Veterinarians
Diagnostics
Diagnosis should combine history, exam findings, and condition-specific testing.
Differentials
Differential diagnosis considerations are not available yet.
Treatment considerations
Treatment options depend on the cancer type, location, and stage. Common treatments include surgery (to remove localized tumors), chemotherapy (drug treatment, often for systemic or blood cancers), radiation therapy (targeted high-energy rays to shrink tumors), and immunotherapy. Often a combination is used. Some tumors can be cured with surgery alone if caught early, while others require lifelong management. In cases where a cure isn’t possible, palliative care (pain relief and comfort measures) is important to maintain quality of life. Early detection and treatment usually improve outcomes.
Follow-up strategy
Follow-up strategy is not available yet.
What To Do Now
Escalate care quickly if symptoms worsen, persist, or include emergency warning signs.
| Urgency | Signs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Call your vet today | Persistent or worsening symptoms | Call your veterinarian the same day for guidance and exam scheduling. |
| Emergency now | Collapse, severe breathing issues, seizures, uncontrolled bleeding, or severe pain | Seek emergency veterinary care immediately. |
Prevention Checklist
Reduce preventable risk through hygiene, vaccination/preventives when applicable, and routine veterinary follow-up.
Treatments and Medication Links
Use these medication pages as a reference for options your veterinarian may discuss.
Detailed treatment strategy remains in the Vet view to avoid duplicate narrative blocks.
No linked medications are available yet.
Find a Vet Near YouFrequently Asked Questions
FAQ content is not available for this condition yet.
Data Sources
Last updated: February 16, 2026, 11:11 AM UTC
View source list
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Owner_summary · clinical_reference
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/searchresults?query=CancerReference search for condition background. -
Triage · clinical_reference
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/searchresults?query=CancerClinical triage framing. -
Vet_summary · clinical_reference
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/searchresults?query=CancerClinical workflow reference. -
Diagnosis · guideline
https://capcvet.org/?s=CancerGuideline discovery link. -
Prevention · public_health
https://www.cdc.gov/search/?query=CancerPublic health discovery link. -
Treatment_overview · guideline
https://capcvet.org/?s=CancerTreatment guideline discovery link.
Revision History
View revision log
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structured_enrichment2026-02-16 11:11 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-16 11:00 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-15 11:11 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-15 11:00 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-14 11:10 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-14 11:00 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-13 11:11 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-13 11:00 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-13 04:45 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-12 22:47 · etl
Related Media
Related media is not available for this condition yet.
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