Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is a collective name for a group of tumors which typically arise from tissue under the skin. Though these tumors can occur anywhere, they most frequently arise on the limbs or anywhere on the outside of the dog’s body. Types of STSs include fibrosarcomas, perivascular wall tumors (previously called hemangiopericytoma), and peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Affected dogs are typically 10 years of age or older.
Soft tissue sarcomas can metastasize (spread) to nearby lymph nodes and the lungs. A thorough evaluation is necessary and includes blood work, chest x-rays, a biopsy or an aspiration or the mass, lymph node assessment, abdominal ultrasound, and possible a CT scan.
Dogs have two anal glands (sacs), one on either side of the anus. Though not common, a tumor of the anal sac can form in one or (rarely) both glands. Biopsy may show the tumor is an anal gland adenocarcinoma (AGASACA), anal sac carcinoma, or an apocrine gland carcinoma. All of these tumors have the same prognosis and are treated with the same therapy. These tumors have the potential to spread to other body parts, especially the lymph nodes, liver, and lungs. In addition, this cancer can elevate the calcium in the dog’s body, which can eventually lead to kidney damage.
Radiation therapy is one type of treatment for cancer. It is often best used for localized tumors, or cancer that is only in one spot in the body. At times, it is very useful after surgery if there are cancer cells that surgery could not remove or if a mass is too big or in too risky of an area for surgery to be performed.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams (ionizing radiation) aimed at specific points on the body in an attempt to kill tumor cells. As it is important that these beams target the cancer cells and damage as few healthy cells as possible, pets need to be anesthetized and precisely positioned to deliver radiation treatment most effectively.
The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention estimates that 59% of dogs are overweight or obese. In animals, fat starts to accumulate around internal organs before it’s visible from the outside. That means by the time you notice your dog has gained weight, his health may already be negatively affected.
Being overweight or obese doesn’t just affect how your dog looks, it also increases his risk for many health problems including:
Cancer
Decreased lifespan
Heart disease
Kidney issues
Type 2 Diabetes and insulin resistance
Osteoarthritis
If your dog does become overweight or obese, talk with your veterinarian about ways to get your pup back to a healthy weight. This could include a change in diet or starting an exercise program. Your veterinarian can help you find a solution that works best for you and your dog.
The term brachycephalic comes from the Greek words brachy, meaning “short” and cephalic, meaning “head.” Brachycephalic dog breeds have flat faces with shortened muzzles. Unfortunately, the shortened muzzles and snouts often mean that the throat and breathing passages are also undersized or flattened. The term Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, or BOAS, refers to multiple anatomic abnormalities that can lead to breathing difficulties and other health problems for these dogs.
As many as six anatomic abnormalities make up BOAS. Not all dogs have all six abnormalities, but the more a dog has, the greater their clinical signs. The table below lists the medical names for the abnormalities followed by their definition.
Anatomic Abnormality
Definition
Stenotic nares
Nose holes are too narrow or collapse inward during inhalation
Extended nasopharyngeal turbinates
Air filtering bones inside the nose extend into the back of the throat
Elongated soft palate
Roof of the mouth is too long
Laryngeal collapse
Voice box collapses, making air passage difficult
Hypoplastic trachea
Windpipe is too narrow for the dog’s size
Everted laryngeal saccules
Pouches inside the voice box turn inside out and block airflow
All of these anatomic abnormalities lead to a decrease in air flow in and out of the lungs. The abnormalities associated with BOAS cause affected dogs to easily overheat because they cannot effectively cool themselves through panting. Stress, anesthesia, and exercise are also difficult for these dogs. Finally, dogs with BOAS often have lower blood oxygen levels as compared to non-brachycephalic breeds.
