CBD and Bladder Cancer in Dogs

 

While dogs are rarely diagnosed with bladder cancer, it is still essential that the pet owners know to recognize the symptoms of this illness. Since bladder cancer in dogs is asymptomatic, they do not commonly show signs until they are in the advanced stage. Nonetheless, if you are aware of specific abnormalities, you will be able to seek medical help before the disease becomes unmanageable.

 

What is Bladder Cancer in Dogs?

 

There are different types of bladder cancer in dogs. There are instances that it will start in our dog's urinary system and times that it will metastasize on our pet's bladder. Perhaps the most common type of bladder cancer would be TCC (Transitional Cell Carcinoma). It is a malignant and aggressive cancer cell found in the urinary system of domesticated pets. Typically, this cancer cell will invade the ureter and urethra, leading to the obstruction at the urinary tract of the pets that will cause problems in their urine flow.

 

This type of bladder cancer in dogs is highly likely to metastasize to the regional and local lymph nodes. It can also spread to the various organs through their bloodstream. This condition can be diagnosed by ultrasound, antigen testing, cytology, and urinalysis.

 

What are the Symptoms of Bladder Cancer in Dogs?

 

Like any clinical disease, some symptoms can help determine if your dog is suffering from bladder cancer. It would be best to familiarize yourself with the difference between UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) and bladder cancer. Both conditions can produce pretty similar symptoms. While some signs and symptoms are identical, bladder cancer in dogs is definitely more severe and requires immediate medical attention. As soon as you notice some signs, take them to your veterinarian right away.

 

Here are some of the signs of Bladder Cancer in Dogs

 

·         Urinary Incontinence (especially if they have a TCC type of bladder cancer). Their urine may also have specks of blood, and they may struggle or completely lose their ability to urinate.

 

·         Fatigue

 

·         Poor appetite

 

·         Coughing

 

·         Vomiting

 

·         Abdominal Pain

 

·         Trouble in Breathing

 

·         Cystitis

 

·         Straining when urinating

 

·         Increased rate of urinating

 

What Caused Bladder Cancer in Dogs

 

While the reason behind bladder cancer remains unclear, the disease is also often associated with different genetic and environmental factors. Regarding the ecological aspect, bladder cancer has been linked with second-hand smoke. There are also carcinogenic materials that will increase the risk of acquiring cancer. Some carcinogenic compounds can be found in pesticides, insecticides, and flea dips.

 

 

In addition, there are also dog breeds that have a higher probability of developing bladder cancer in dogs. These dog breeds include Wirehair Fox Terrier, Shetland Sheepdogs, Scottish Terriers, and Beagles. Dogs that are overweight also have a higher tendency to have bladder cancer. While it may be impossible to conduct preventive methods regarding the breed of the dogs, there are preventative measures that will help you protect them. It may include using organic insecticides, shampoo. Look for flea dips made from natural ingredients.

 

Treatment for Bladder Cancer

 

Since bladder cancer will develop at an unprecedented rate, cancer will usually be in its advanced stage by the time it is diagnosed. However, it is possible to remove the malignant cell through a surgical procedure completely. Here are some of the possible treatment procedures for bladder cancer in dogs.

 

·         Surgery- Depending upon the location of the tumor, the surgical procedure that aims to remove the whole tumor usually is impossible. Surgical treatment can disrupt the natural structure of the urinary tract. There are instances that cancer will develop in other parts of the bladder. It can be partially or entirely removed through surgery. Partial removal of the tumor is known as debulking. This procedure can provide temporary relief; however, bladder cancer in dogs will still develop and grow.

 

·         Chemotherapy- Chemo is an effective treatment for different types of cancer for dogs. However, chemotherapy for bladder cancer in dogs is ineffective. Nonetheless, the veterinarian will prescribe a mixture of chemotherapy and anti-inflammatory drugs, which is believed to be effective.

 

·         Radiotherapy- There have been accounts of bladder cancer in dogs that produce a positive response to radiotherapy. Studies show that it is more effective than chemotherapy, but it also comes with side effects. Make sure to discuss this with your doctor to find out if your dog is a perfect candidate for radiation therapy.

 

 

·         Cryotherapy- This procedure uses a tremendously cold instrument or liquid to freeze and ultimately destroy the cancerous tissue.

 

·         Hyperthermy- This cancer treatment procedure utilizes a heated probe that will expose the cancerous tissue to extreme heat and will destroy them. This procedure can only be conducted by a highly specialized veterinarian who has experience with surgical intervention.

 

The Use of CBD and Bladder Cancer in Dogs

 

Even the responsible pet owner may find it exhaustive to find the perfect natural treatment that will provide relief to your dogs. Many animal health experts will agree that CBD offers a lot of uses and benefits. It shows a high success rate in treating bladder cancer in dogs. According to the study, cannabinoids can help manage the symptoms of cancer. During the treatment, the dogs can suffer many signs due to the spreading of the cancerous cell. They may experience nausea, fatigue, and pain related to cancer.

 

How To Use CBD Against Bladder Cancer?

 

By using CBD in conjunction with the other treatment, you will be able to control the growth of the cancer cells. In addition, CBD can also help protect healthy cells and reduce inflammation, according to the study of NCI (National Cancer Institute). It can also manage secondary symptoms such as pain, appetite, mucous, inflammation, infection, and bleeding. Basically, there are two levels when treating bladder cancer in dogs with CBD. The first level is using the standard type of treatment; Cannabis will be used to manage cancer symptoms. The second level is to treat the cancer cell with the use of Cannabis. In this method, you will be using a varying dosage of CBD and various forms of Cannabis. Regardless of which method you will choose, be sure to discuss this with your veterinarian first.

 

 

If you want to relieve the symptoms and the pain associated with bladder cancer, CBD has been proven effective against cancer. It will enhance the patient's appetite and improve the mood of your dog that is going through the treatment procedure.

 

The survival rate of your pet is determined by the location of the tumor and the growth rate. Bladder cancer located outside the wall will have a better prognosis than the dogs with cancer that spreads on other vital organs. As the pet owner, your primary responsibility is to keep your pet comfortable. You also need to protect him against the secondary symptoms of bladder cancer in dogs, and you can achieve this by administering CBD in conjunction with the standard treatment procedure.