Brain Tumor in Dogs: Signs, Causes and Treatment

What is brain tumor in dogs and what are its warning signs? In the body, aberrant cells proliferate uncontrollably to form masses that devastate healthy tissues, which is what is known as a tumour.

Brain damage would result from a brain tumour since it would cause serious neurologic problems in the brain. In fact, canine brain tumors, especially in elderly animals, are fairly prevalent.

Related: Signs of Dog Cancer You Should Never Ignore

types of Brain tumor in dogs

The prevalent types of Brain tumor in dogs are:

primary brain tumor

The brain and the lining of the brain are responsible for causing primary brain tumors.

Primary brain tumors come in four different subtypes, which are as follows:

• The brain’s outer layers give rise to meningioma.
• Brain support cells are where glioma develops.
• The lining of the brain’s gaps filled with fluid gives rise to ependymomas.
• Cells that assist in producing spinal fluid give rise to choroid plexus cancers.

secondary brain tumor

Secondary brain cancers are those that begin as primary tumors elsewhere in the body but later spread to the brain through a process called metastasis.

causes of Brain tumors in dogs

Although there are several potential triggers, the cause is unknown. Cancer development may be influenced by some hereditary and environmental variables.

genetic factors

When they get older, all dogs are susceptible to getting brain tumors, although some breeds are more predisposed to it than others. They include, among others:

• Boxers
• French Bulldogs
• Golden Retrievers
• Boston Terriers
• Doberman Pinschers
• English Bulldogs.

environmental factors

Dogs’ brain tumors in some circumstances could be brought on by environmental factors like:

• Dietary factors
• Chemical factors
• Traumatic factors
• Immune system.

symptoms of Brain Tumor in Dogs

The symptoms of brain tumors might vary depending on where in the brain the cancer has spread, and they are typically found in older canines.

forebrain tumor symptoms

Afflictions caused by brain tumors in the frontal lobe include:

Seizures

Numerous seizures are most likely to occur in your cancer-stricken dog.

circling

As a result of the forebrain tumor, it’s possible that your dog will be traveling in circles rather than in a straight line.

behavioral changes

Your dog will not act like itself and start displaying other traits like irritability or withdrawal, or it might stop using its previously taught habits.

blindness

Forebrain tumors in dogs can cause one or both eyes to become acutely blind.

Hindbrain tumor symptoms

The following signs are most frequently observed in canines with hindbrain tumors:

Changes in Mentation

A decrease in your dog’s attention and a dull, drained appearance could be caused by tumors in the rear of the brain.

Ataxia

Tumors in the rear of the brain can cause ataxia, which can cause shaky and disorganized gait.

Paresis

Tumors located at the hind brain can make the legs appear very weak.

Hemiparesis

Brain tumors can also cause Hemiparesis, which is the weakness of only one side of the body.

treatment of Brain tumors in dogs

The first step in providing care for your dog is to take him to the vet as soon as you can to determine what kind of illness he has. Various illnesses can present with similar symptoms.

Dog brain tumors can be diagnosed most effectively with high-field MRI.

The position, size, and shape of the tumor may be seen clearly by a qualified veterinary neurologist, giving them a far greater understanding of the type of tumor they are dealing with and the best way to treat it.

Even though there are many accessible treatments, receiving a brain tumor diagnosis can be rather distressing for a dog owner. Among them are:

• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation
• Palliative care.

Surgery is utilized to remove all or most of the tumor cells from the dog’s brain and should only be carried out by a skilled neurologic veterinarian.

However, canine brain tumors can be reduced and their growth slowed using chemotherapy and radiation.

On the other side, palliative care refers to the use of drugs to prolong the dog’s quality of life as much as possible.