VIDEO: Abandoned Dog with 46 Pound Tumor Gets Life Saving Surgery

Henry, a dog with a 46 pound tumor on his belly, was found on a California beach.

When will we understand that animals are not our toys, not ours to abandon and not ours to torture?!

Everything on this Earth is linked to everything and we should try harder to take care of the environment and of our fellow animals.

Fortunately, Henry got surgery and is now doing really well!

According to Wikipedia, cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs. It is estimated that 1 in 3 domestic dogs will develop cancer, which is the same incidence of cancer among men. Dogs can develop a variety of cancers and most are very similar to those found in humans.

Dogs can develop carcinomas of epithelial cells and organs, sarcomas of connective tissues and bones, and lymphomas or leukemias of the circulatory system. Selective breeding of dogs has led certain pure-bred breeds to be at high-risk for specific kinds of cancer.

Cancer prevalence in dogs increases with age and certain breeds are more susceptible to specific kinds of cancers. Millions of dogs develop spontaneous tumors each year. Boxers, Boston Terriers and Golden Retrievers are among the breeds that most commonly develop mast cell tumors.

Treatment options vary and depend on the type and stage of cancer. Common treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, amputation, and immunotherapy. A combination of therapies may be used. Knowledge and treatment of cancer have increased significantly in the past three decades.

Survival rates have also increased due to the increase prevalence of canine cancer treatment centers and breakthroughs in targeted drug development. Canine cancer treatment has become an accepted clinical practice and access to treatment for owners has widely expanded recently.

Cancer-targeting drugs most commonly function to inhibit excessive cell proliferation by attacking the replicating cells. However, there is still a prevalent pharmacy gap in veterinary oncology.

There is one canine tumor vaccine approved by the USDA, for preventing canine melanoma. The Oncept vaccine activates T-cell responses and antibodies against tumor-specific tyrosinase proteins. There is limited information about canine tumor antigens, which is the reason for the lack of tumor-specific vaccines and immunotherapy treatment plans for dogs.

Success of treatment depends on the form and extent of the cancer and the aggressiveness of the therapy. Early detection offers the best chance for successful treatment. The heterogeneity of tumors makes drug development increasingly complex, especially as new causes are discovered. No cure for cancer in canines exist.

Some dog owners opt for no treatment of the cancer at all, in which case palliative care, including pain relief, may be offered. Regardless of how treatment proceeds following a diagnosis, the quality of life of the pet is an important consideration.

Natural and alternative remedies such as forms of homeopathy, improved nutrition, and herbal medicines have been shown in one peer-reviewed study to improve the condition of a dog with cancer.

In cases where the cancer is not curable, there are still many things which can be done to alleviate the dog’s pain. Good nutrition and care from the dog’s owner can greatly enhance quality of life.