Canine brain tumors are as common as they are in people, and are the most common form of tumors found in dogs. This page looks at the possible
causes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis and conventional treatment of brain tumors in dogs. Natural remedies that have immune-strengthening properties are also
explored.
Like most forms of cancer, brain tumors can be either primary (originated and developed in the brain), or secondary (aka metastatic brain tumors). Secondary brain
tumors occur when cancer cells spread to the brain from a primary cancer in another part of the body.
The most common form of primary canine brain tumors is meningiomas, which are tumors that arise in the meninges which surround the brain and spinal cord.
Other commonly reported primary brain tumors in dogs include undifferentiated sarcomas, gliomas, pituitary tumors, and ventricular tumors (eg, choroid plexus papillomas,
ependymomas).
Signs of Canine Brain Tumors
Depending on the part of the brain affected, dogs with canine brain tumours show an array of signs and symptoms. However,
seizures, which can be severe, are one of the most common symptoms associated with
brain tumors in dogs.
Some other symptoms to watch for include:
An unsteady gait and difficulty in climbing stairs and walking on uneven ground.
Sudden and dramatic behavioral changes (e.g. a normally gentle dog may suddenly become
aggressive; a normally quiet dog may bark incessantly).
Change in appetite - Refusal to eat or excessive eating.
Getting lost in previously known places and not recognizing familiar faces.
Having "accidents" in the house even though the dog has been toilet trained.
Whining or whimpering (due to pain).
Scratching or shaking head or rubbing it against objects.
Read this dog parent's first-hand description of the numerous
telltale signs and symptoms of a brain tumor in her dog. Also read this post
to see how the behavior of a dog with a brain tumor can change suddenly.
Age
Age appears to be a risk factor for brain tumors in dogs - 95% of canine mengiomas occur in dogs over 7 years old.
Breeds
Brachycephalic (short-nose) breeds such as Boxers, English Bulldogs, and Boston Terriers, seem to have the highest incidence of brain tumors among dogs and other
domestic animals. For some reasons, these short-nose breeds are especially prone to glial tumors.
It has also been found that the incidence of brain tumors in Golden Retrievers is rather high. Golden Retrievers are particularly prone to meningiomas.
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Diagnosis of Canine Brain Tumors
Diagnosis of brain tumors can include:
Observation of clinical signs.
CT-scan or MRI-scan.
Biopsy.
In addition, other tests such as chest x-rays or ultrasound of the abdomen may be needed to see if the tumor has mestastasized.
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Treatment for Canine Brain Tumors
Conventional treatment for brain tumors in dogs include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
Surgery
Understandably, not all brain tumors can be removed surgically. Tumors can only be removed if they are located in an area that can be reached safely. There are two
considerations for this:
The proximity of the tumor to the surface of the brain.
The proximity of the tumor to critical areas of the brain.
Thus, tumors that are on the brain surface are more likely to be removed successfully by surgery. To reach a tumor deep within the brain, a large area of healthy brain
tissue will have to be cut through, the effect of which may be devastating for the recovery of the dog patient.
Many dogs recover after surgery without much complication, although sometimes dog parents have reported some kind of "personality change" in their dogs after surgery.
Radiation
For a tumor that is deep seated and therefore poses significant surgical risks, radiation therapy can be used to slow down the growth rate of the tumor. Radiation can
result in dramatic and rapid improvement of signs. Unfortunately, radiation alone usually cannot destroy the tumor completely. The dog patient may go into remission,
only to suffer from a recurrence of tumor growth 8-14 months later. Also there may be some side-effects caused by radiation, such as occasional nausea, mouth ulcers,
or ear infections.
Chemotherapy
As the brain is a very well-protected site, there are not too many drug choices that are effective in treating brain tumors. Recently, there is a drug called temozolomide
that may be effective in treating gliomas.
For other types of tumor, drugs are primarily used to lessen some of the symptoms caused by the tumor. For example, to reduce brain swelling, anti-inflammatory drugs such
as prednisone will be prescribed. To control and manage seizures caused by the tumor, anti-seizure drugs such as phenobarbital will be used. .
By relieving some of the symptoms, the dog patient can feel better. However, understand that these drugs do not destroy the tumor itself and the therapy may only give
the dog patient temporary relief of a few months.
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Natural Remedies for Canine Brain Tumors
In addition to conventional treatment, do consider using natural remedies as a complementary treatment option in the unfortunate event that your dog has been diagnosed with
cancer such as a brain tumor. While natural treatment options such as supplements (e.g. antioxidants), natural herbal and homeopathic remedies may not be able to totally
destroy tumors, some such remedies can slow down tumor growth and/or spread of the cancerous cells. In addition, they are effective in strengthening the immune system,
making the body stronger to fight against diseases such as cancer.
Visit our pages on Herbs for Cancer in Dogs and
Dog Cancer Diet for more information on these two complementary treatment options.
Please also use the navigation bar on the left of this page to find other useful K9 cancer information on this site.
Depending on the part of the brain affected, dogs with canine brain tumours show an array of signs and symptoms. However,
seizures, which can be severe, are one of the most common symptoms associated with
brain tumors in dogs.
Some other symptoms to watch for include:
Conventional treatment for brain tumors in dogs include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
Surgery
Understandably, not all brain tumors can be removed surgically. Tumors can only be removed if they are located in an area that can be reached safely. There are two
considerations for this:
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