Due to the severity and potential fatal nature of the condition, it's essential that you be able to recognize pancreatic cancer symptoms in dogs so that you know if your pet is at risk for suffering from this disease. The pancreas is one of the most important organs in your dog's body. It is responsible for regulating your dog's blood sugar and also acts to help with the process of food digestion. Cancer of the pancreas can be very serious and even fatal, though the earlier that you're able to detect and remove it, the more likely you are to save your dog's life.
Abdominal Pain
Cancerous growth in the pancreas is frequently very painful for your pet. Because your dog cannot express his pain in words in the same way that a human can, you'll have to watch out for other signs that he is in pain. Some of these signs include the following:
- Howling or whining
- Difficulty laying down or standing up
- Reluctance to move
- Sensitivity to the touch
Vomiting and Diarrhea
It's common for dogs suffering from damage to the pancreas to suffer from accompanying digestive problems as well. This can be due to the compromised nature of the pancreas and the difficult nature of the digestive process without this crucial organ to help. You may see your pet exhibit signs of this gastric distress through regular vomiting and diarrhea as well.
Weight Loss
Dogs with pancreatic cancer oftentimes have a difficult time eating sufficient amounts of food. You may notice that your pet's overall appetite has diminished as a result of his tumorous growth. As this happens, your pet will lose out on nourishment that he would otherwise be eating, and his weight will gradually and consistently go down. Oftentimes, pet owners do not recognize weight loss in pets until it has progressed quite a bit, so it's a good idea to weigh your dog regularly in order to get a good sense for his health in this way.
Seizures
In some cases, particularly those in which the pancreatic cancer growth is advanced, it's not uncommon to see your pet suffer from seizures as well. These may range from mild and hardly noticeable to fully grand mal and difficult to contain. In the case of any seizure, it's crucial that you report the episode to your vet as quickly as possible after it happens.
Due to the nature of pancreatic cancer growths, it's not uncommon for pancreatic cancer to not result in symptoms whatsoever until very late in the development of the tumor. By the time you see symptoms, the tumor may have grown to a large size, and the cancer may have metastasized and spread to other parts of your dog's body as well. Because of this, it's essential that you take immediate action as soon as you recognize any changes in your pet's behavior. Pancreatic cancer is a very rare cancer form in dogs, but it's a very serious matter.