Symptoms of Bladder Cancer in Dogs

Bladder cancer in dogs is often mistaken for a bladder or urinary tract infection and can be fatal if not detected early. Unlike cancer of the prostate or melanoma cancer, bladder cancer often spreads to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body well before diagnosis. Understanding the symptoms of bladder cancer can help prevent a poor prognosis.

Bladder Cancer Symptoms

  • Blood in your animal's urine is the most common symptom. While this may not be due to bladder cancer, it is an obvious sign of some illness and it is best to take your dog to the veterinarian for follow up tests.
  • Problems with urination are also common. This is because as the malignant tumors metastasize, they can block the urinary tract and cause the dog to be unable to urinate or only be able to urinate a small amount at a time.
  • Defecation can also be a problem for dogs with bladder cancer because the tumors in the urinary tract put a strain on the bowels.
  • Increased coughing can also be a less common sign of bladder cancer along with labored breathing. If you detect these symptoms in your pet, follow up with your veterinarian to be sure of the source of the problem.
 

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