Dogs, like us humans, will start to experience some physical problems as they get older. For example, half of dogs over the age of ten will get "cancer" in varying degrees. This time I will share with you the top ten signs of cancer in dogs. Please pay attention to all the owners!

1. Cough

If an elderly dog ​​has symptoms of dry cough, it is necessary to take an X-ray of its chest. This is the most common sign of lung cancer, but there are many other causes of coughing in dogs.

　2. Weight loss

If you are not helping your dog go on a diet, but his weight is getting lighter and lighter, it is time to take him in for a check-up. Although weight loss does not necessarily indicate cancer, many dogs lose weight after getting cancer, so some problems can be seen.

3. Bad breath

Dogs can also develop tumors in their mouths, become picky about their food (for example, they used to like hard food, but now they like soft food), and their chewing methods will also change. Dogs with oral tumors usually have a foul odor in their mouths. Sedating the dog and doing a thorough examination of the mouth with X-rays and computed tomography scans are necessary to pinpoint the cause.

4. Lame foot

Particularly in large dogs, unexplained lameness is a common sign of bone cancer. Quickly take an X-ray, CT, or MRI of the affected area to check if your dog has bone cancer.

5. Straining to urinate or blood in urine

Struggling to urinate or blood in the urine is usually a sign of a urinary tract infection. If your symptoms don’t improve quickly after taking antibiotics, or if they recur, you may have bladder cancer. At this time, the veterinarian will perform a cystoscopy to get accurate results.

6. Abdominal distension

If your dog's belly suddenly becomes enlarged, it may mean that there is a mass or tumor in the abdomen, or it may be internal bleeding in this area. At this time, taking an X-ray or ultrasound of the abdomen will help analyze the condition.

7. Long-term vomiting and diarrhea

If vomiting or diarrhea occurs for no reason, the dog should be taken for further examination. Gastrointestinal tumors often cause long-term vomiting and diarrhea. X-rays, ultrasound, and endoscopy are excellent diagnostic tools.

8. Unexplained bleeding

If the bleeding is not due to trauma, but bleeding from the mouth, nose, gums or excrement, the dog should be taken for examination. It's normal for puppies to get hemorrhagic diseases, but if your older dog gets this disease, you need to get a thorough check-up.

9. Swollen lymph nodes

Lymph glands are found throughout the body, and the best way to check them is under the chin and behind the knees. If it gets bigger, it could be lymphoma, a common cancer. A biopsy of the swollen lymph node will facilitate diagnosis.

10. The mass becomes larger or changes

If the lumps on your dog suddenly become larger, or the texture or shape changes, take your dog for a detailed examination as soon as possible!