When cancer makes your dog’s body its home, changes occur. Sometimes those changes are deep in the body, undetectable. But others show up as lethargy, weight loss, digestive upset, and, sometimes, physical lumps and bumps you can feel. Dr. David Vail, a veterinary oncologist at the University of Wisconsin, joins us to discuss the early warning signs of dog cancer. Every time we catch cancer early, we improve the potential for a positive outcome! Key Takeaways: Importance of Early Detection: Catching cancer early equals more effective treatment and better outcomes. Monitoring Lumps and Bumps: Regularly check, measure, and document any lumps or bumps on your dog. Track and Record Symptoms: Keep detailed records of any changes in your dog’s health, including photos and measurements of abnormalities. Investigate Non-Specific Symptoms: Signs like weight loss, lethargy, or abnormal odors could indicate a serious issue and should be evaluated by a vet. Routine Check-Ups Matter: Ensure your dog, especially as they age, has regular veterinary exams to catch any potential health concerns early. Caution with New Screening Tests: While promising, newer tests like liquid biopsies are still being developed and should be considered carefully. Emergency Care Guidance: Know when symptoms like difficulty breathing or persistent vomiting warrant immediate veterinary attention. Related Resources: Find a board-certified veterinary oncologist on the Vet Specialists website: https://www.vetspecialists.com/find-a-specialist Join our Facebook support group at https://www.dogcancer.com/support Your Voice Matters! If you have a question for our team, or if you want to share your own hopeful dog cancer story, we want to hear from you! Go to https://www.dogcancer.com/ask to submit your question or story, or call our Listener Line at +1 808-868-3200 to leave a question. Related Videos: How AI is helping detect cancer early: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEM_t_-rkKQ A urine test for dog cancer detection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFxo_ZsedG0 Dog Cancer detection guidelines: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7OWo7DyOis&t=1s Related Links: The symptoms of cancer in dogs article: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/diagnosis-and-medical-procedures/symptoms-of-cancer-in-dogs/ Our article on why dog cancer isn’t often caught early: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/diagnosis-and-medical-procedures/dog-cancer-isnt-caught-early/ An overview of the process veterinarians use to diagnose cancer in dogs: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/diagnosis-and-medical-procedures/dog-cancer-diagnosis/ Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction from Molly Jacobson 01:15 - The Five Most Dangerous Words 02:30 - Early Detection and Curative Treatments 03:45 - Documenting Lumps and Bumps 05:15 - When to Visit the Vet 06:15 - Other Early Warning Signs 08:00 - Trust Your Gut and Veterinarian’s Intuition 10:00 - Differential Diagnoses 11:00 - Emergency vs. Regular Vet Visits 12:30 - Balancing Care Decisions 14:00 - New Early Detection Tools 16:00 - Limitations of Current Screening Tests 18:00 - Liquid Biopsies and Future Prospects 20:00 - Routine Veterinary Care 21:30 - Routine Imaging Tests 22:15 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts 23:00 - Molly’s Closing Remarks 23:10 - Podcast Outro Get to know Dr. David Vail, veterinary oncologist: https://www.dogcancer.com/people/david-vail-dvm-ms-dip-acvim-oncology/ For more details, articles, podcast episodes, and quality education, go to the episode page: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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