Mesothelioma is a disease that affects many life forms, including dogs and cats. The risk of asbestos exposure is higher with dogs that are allowed to run free, because they like to smell all sorts of things. Through the things they could play with outside might be asbestos related products from a construction site or demolition. When the dog finds the asbestos piece, he or she will probably grab it in its’ mouth and it is known that when handled asbestos releases asbestos fibers. The dog will inhale or swallow the fibers, and after approximately one month the first signs of Mesothelioma should appear.
Mesothelioma in dogs and its symtpoms
After a large amount of researches and studies, experts say that mesothelioma is more common in male dogs compared to female dogs, and the breeds that pose the highest risk of infection are Irish Setters, German Sheppard dog and Bouvier de Flandres. Dogs can also suffer from other asbestos diseases, and these can also be transmitted through genes, if the mother was infected during the pregnancy period.
Asbestos cancer, pleural or malignant mesothelioma develop almost exactly the same in a dog. Here is how it usually takes place:
- You take your dog for a walk, and let him or her loose
- he dog finds an interesting object, and starts playing with it
- Asbestos fibers are released into the air and are swallowed or inhaled by the pet
- The asbestos fibers usually attack the pleura, and act similar to the way they do in humans, causing inflammation and later mesothelioma cells
- The first signs won’t be so obvious, but as the disease develops, so do the symptoms
- Treatment should be started immediately
Treatment for mesothelioma in dogs
Veterinarians should be able to prescribe a treatment cycle for your dog. You might have to leave the dog at their office during treatment, but it is also possible that you might have to take the dog there every day. You can ask your veterinarian to consult a veterinarian oncologist expert to determine how best to treat the animal.
Mesothelioma in dogs is a little easier to treat compared to mesothelioma in humans, because the dog has a stronger immune system which is able to fight the cancer. There are a lot of cases of dogs that have been cured following a simple and fast treatment period.
Please feel free to contact asbestosis and mesothelioma centers if you have any questions about mesothelioma in animals. It is completely free.
