Rectal tumors in dogs make them uncomfortable.
Dogs should be checked every day for strange growths. Although older dogs tend to grow harmless lumps and bumps called lipomas, any growths under the tail or in the rectum need to be checked out by a vet, according to the "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook." These could be cancerous and could stop the dog from having a normal bowel movement.
Signs
Any rectal tumors in dogs may or may not be visible. If they are, they tend to be hairless and may even stick out of the anus or the anal glands along the sides of the anus. They are usually round or oblong in shape, but they can vary in size and texture. Usually, the tumors will be too far up inside the rectum to see. But the dog will have chronic constipation, may bleed from the anus, may vomit, may have unusual hair loss and increased thirst and urination, according to the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS).
Causes
There are two main causes or rectal tumors in dogs--cancer and polyps. A common cancer is adrenosarcoma, a tumor in one or both adrenal sacs that has spread to the rectum, according to ACVS. Another cancer is lymphosarcoma, which often begins in the colon but can spread to the rectum, according to "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook." The other cause is a non-cancerous tumor called a polyp.
Misconception
Although the rectal polyps may not be cancerous, they still need to be surgically removed. This is because of two reasons. The first is that the polyp will block off the room that the dog's rectum needs in order to pass out stool. The second is that the polyps can break open and expose the dog to a bad infection, especially if stool gets into the wound, according to the "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook."
Diagnosis
A dog with a rectal tumor may need several tests, including hands-on palpitation, x-rays or another test to see the dog's insides, a blood test to see if the internal organs are affected and a needle aspiration. This is where a needle is inserted into the tumor and the contents withdrawn are examined to see if there is any sign of cancer. In some cases, a biopsy may be necessary, according to veterinarian Dr. Kimberly Cronin.
Treatment
The most common treatment is surgical removal of the tumor and any infected tissue around it, according to Dr. Cronin. But if the tumor is cancerous, then the dog may also need to undergo radiation and chemotherapy treatments to stop the cancer from spreading.
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