Dog nasal tumors: a complete guide to symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention

As dog owners, we all hope that our dogs can live a healthy and long life. But unfortunately, cancer has become the number one killer that affects the quality of life and lifespan of dogs. Among them, nasal tumors are a common and dangerous type of cancer. The onset is hidden and difficult to detect in the early stage. Once diagnosed, it is often in the late stage, with difficult treatment and poor prognosis.

So, what are the symptoms of nasal tumors in dogs? How to detect and diagnose them as soon as possible? What are the treatment plans? How should we prevent them? This article will give you a comprehensive answer to these questions and provide the latest prevention and treatment guidelines in 2024 to help you protect your dog’s health.

1. Overview of dog nasal tumors

Nose tumors are a type of malignant tumors that occur in dog nasal cavity, accounting for about 1%-2% of all canine tumors. It may originate from any tissue in the nasal cavity, including epithelium, glands, bones, cartilage, etc. The most common types are adenocarcinoma, followed by squamous cell carcinoma and sarcoma.

High-risk factors

• Age: Most common in middle-aged and elderly dogs over 8 years old, and the incidence rate increases with age.

• Breeds: Long-kiss breed dogs such as Doberman and German Shepherds have higher incidence rates than short-kiss breed dogs.

• Environment: Long-term exposure to harmful gases such as second-hand smoke and chemical pollutants may increase the risk of disease. The etiology and pathogenesis of nasal tumors are not clear yet, but it is generally believed to be related to the following factors:

1. Genetic gene mutations: Mutations in certain genes such as p53, PTEN, etc., resulting in uncontrolled cell proliferation.

2. Chronic inflammatory stimulation: inflammatory reactions such as long-term rhinitis and sinusitis may induce malignant cell transformation.

3. Chemical carcinogens: Tobacco, asbestos and other harmful substances can cause DNA damage and promote cancer.

4. Viral infection: Canine distemper virus, etc., may be related to the occurrence of nasal tumors.

2. Common symptoms of nasal tumors in dogs

The early symptoms of nasal tumors are not obvious and are often mistaken for common cold or rhinitis. As the condition progresses, the following symptoms may appear:

1. Nasal bleeding: The most common initial symptom is intermittent unilateral nasal bleeding, with a small amount and is easily overlooked.

2. Nasal congestion and sneezing: The tumor blocks the nasal cavity, causing persistent nasal congestion and the frequency of sneezing increases.

3. Nasal discharge: The nasal secretions increase, initially become clear liquid, but later become purulent or hematogenous.

4. Facial asymmetry: Advanced tumors invade surrounding tissues, which can cause swelling and deforming the bridge of the nose and eye orbits.

5. Eye symptoms: The tumor compresses the lacrimal tract, causing tearing, conjunctivitis, etc.

6. Systemic symptoms: decreased appetite, weight loss, drowsiness, etc., indicating that the tumor has metastasized.

The above symptoms lack specificity and are difficult to distinguish from other nasal diseases. Therefore, if the dog experiences any persistent nasal abnormalities, it should be consulted in time and the diagnosis should be made as soon as possible.

3. How to diagnose nasal tumors in dogs? The diagnosis of nasal tumors requires a comprehensive analysis of clinical manifestations, imaging examinations and pathological examination results. Commonly used diagnostic methods include:

1. Rhinoscopy

In sedation or general anesthesia, the doctor uses an endoscope to enter from the nostrils, directly look at the condition in the nasal cavity, and initially judge the tumor location, size and scope of invasion. However, the nose lens cannot penetrate deep into the sinuses, the base of the skull, and it is difficult to obtain biopsy specimens, and the diagnostic value is limited.

2. CT/MRI examination

CT and MRI are the gold standard for diagnosing nasal tumors. They can clearly show the specific location, size, range of invasion of the tumor, as well as the presence or absence of intracranial, orbital involvement and lymph node metastasis. CT is more sensitive to bone damage, and MRI shows soft tissue infiltration more clearly. Combining the two can comprehensively evaluate tumor stage and guide the formulation of treatment plans.

3. Pathological biopsy

biopsy is the key to a clear diagnosis. Under the guidance of a nose mirror or image, the doctor uses special instruments to take tumor tissue specimens and send them to pathological examinations. Microscopic examination can determine the histological type and differentiation of the tumor, which can help judge prognosis and treatment choices. Some specimens can also undergo immunohistochemistry and genetic testing to provide a basis for precise treatment.

It should be noted that nasal biopsy has the risk of complications such as bleeding and infection, and the material range is limited. Negative results cannot completely rule out the tumor. Therefore, the pros and cons should be weighed according to the specific circumstances and the appropriate biopsy method should be selected.

4. Treatment plan for nasal tumors in dogs

Once nasal tumors are diagnosed, individualized treatment plans should be formulated as soon as possible. Currently, there are three main treatment methods: surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and a comprehensive treatment model is often adopted.

1. Surgical treatment

surgery is the preferred treatment method for early nasal tumors. However, due to the special anatomical location of the nasal cavity, it is difficult to completely remove the tumor and is prone to recurrence after surgery.

• Nasal endoscopic surgery: low trauma and fast recovery, but only suitable for small-scale tumors.

• Nasal resection: Completely resection of the affected nasal cavity can maximize the removal of tumors, but the trauma is great and there are many postoperative complications.

• Craniofacial joint resection: For advanced tumors that invade the skull base and orbit, craniotomy and eyeball removal can be combined, but the risk is high and the prognosis is poor.

Generally speaking, simple surgery is difficult to cure nasal tumors and needs to be used in combination with other treatment methods.

2. Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is currently recognized as the most effective treatment method for nasal tumors. It uses high-energy rays to accurately illuminate tumor sites, destroy cancer cell DNA, inhibit tumor growth, and maximize protection of surrounding normal tissue.

• Routine radiotherapy: total dose is 40-50Gy, divided into 20-25 irradiation, and the course of treatment is 4-5 weeks.

• Stereodirectional radiotherapy: one large dose accurate radiation, short course of treatment, small side effects, better than conventional radiotherapy.

• Particle radiotherapy: Use charged particles such as protons and heavy ions, and the dose distribution is more concentrated and the lethality is stronger, especially suitable for advanced tumors.

Radiation can be used for tumor shrinkage before surgery, removal of residual foci after surgery, or palliative treatment of advanced tumors. Although it can significantly prolong survival, it still has a risk of recurrence and metastasis and requires regular follow-up.

3. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a treatment method that uses cytotoxic drugs to kill cancer cells in the systemic manner. Nasal tumors have poor sensitivity to chemotherapy and are uncertain in their efficacy, and are often used as palliative treatment methods.

• First-line plan: cisplatin + gemcitabine, 4-6 courses of treatment, objective response rate of 30%-40%.

• Second-line solution: doxorubicin + cyclophosphamide, the efficacy is comparable to that of the first-line solution, and the toxic side effects are greater.

• Targeted therapy: Small-molecule inhibitors targeting specific gene mutations (such as EGFR), such as gefitinib, erlotinib, etc., need further clinical verification. The main adverse reactions of chemotherapy include myelosuppression, digestive tract reaction, hair loss, etc., which need to be closely monitored and treated symptomatically. In addition, attention should be paid to the nephrotoxicity of chemotherapy drugs and regular detection of renal function.

4. Other treatments

• Traditional Chinese medicine treatment: Traditional Chinese medicines such as samsara and snailsia , etc. have the effects of anti-tumor and enhancing immunity. Acupuncture, massage and other therapies can relieve cancer pain and improve the quality of life. However, traditional Chinese medicine treatment lacks large-scale clinical research data support and is mostly used for auxiliary treatment.

• Immunotherapy: Tumor vaccines, immune checkpoint inhibitors, etc. can activate the body's anti-tumor immunity and delay tumor progression. However, it is still in the clinical trial stage and the long-term efficacy remains to be seen.

• Palliative care: For dogs with advanced nasal tumors that cannot be performed or chemotherapy, palliative care should be given, including painkillers, nutritional support, psychological comfort, etc., to improve the quality of life.

To sum up, the treatment of nasal tumors requires multidisciplinary collaboration, and comprehensively integrate factors such as the age, body condition, tumor stage, etc., to formulate individualized treatment plans, and adjust them in time according to the efficacy.

5. Prognosis of nasal tumors The prognosis of nasal tumors depends on a variety of factors, including tumor type, stage, treatment plan, etc. Overall, the prognosis of nasal tumors is poor, with a median survival of about 6-18 months.

• Tumor type: The prognosis of adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma is better than that of sarcoma and melanoma.

• Tumor stage: The prognosis of early stage and no metastasis is better than that of late stage and accompanied metastasis.

• Treatment plan: The median survival period of surgery + radiotherapy can reach 18-24 months, 12-16 months for radiotherapy alone, and 6-9 months for chemotherapy alone.

Nevertheless, individuals vary greatly. Research reports have been reported that the survival period of affected dogs receiving active comprehensive treatment can reach more than 3 years. Therefore, for nasal tumors, we should not give up easily, but actively seek effective treatment based on a comprehensive assessment so that our dogs can gain more survival opportunities.

6. Preventive measures for nasal tumors: "Prevention is the first, prevention is more important than treatment." Although the pathogenesis of nasal tumors has not been fully explained, we can use the following measures to minimize the risk of dog disease:

1. Regular physical examination: Adhere to physical examinations at least once a year, especially for middle-aged and elderly dogs over 8 years old. Early detection and early treatment are the key to improving the cure rate of nasal tumors.

2. Avoid contact with carcinogens: Stay away from harmful substances such as second-hand smoke and asbestos. Choose natural and non-toxic pet supplies to create a healthy living environment.

3. Balanced diet: Provide high-quality protein, appropriate amount of fat, rich dietary fiber, avoid excessive feeding, and maintain an ideal weight.

4. Moderate exercise: At least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every day, such as walking, jogging, etc., to enhance physical fitness and improve anti-tumor ability.

5. Mental health: more companionship and more interaction, create a safe and comfortable living environment, reduce stress, and prevent tumor occurrence.

Of course, no matter how many preventive measures are, they cannot completely eliminate nasal tumors. Once we unfortunately become ill, we should face it bravely, actively cooperate with treatment, accompany our dogs with love and patience to overcome the disease, prolong life, and improve the quality of life. This is not only a respect for the life of a dog, but also a responsibility we should fulfill as our masters.

7. Nursing during the recovery period of nasal tumors is long and arduous. Nursing during the recovery period is crucial and directly affects the efficacy and quality of life. The following suggestions are for reference:

1. Wound care: The wound should be kept clean and dry after the operation, and the dressing should be changed regularly to prevent infection. If there are any abnormalities such as bleeding, swelling, etc., you should seek medical treatment in time.

2. Dietary conditioning: Provide high-protein, high-energy, and easy-to-digest soft foods, and nasal or intravenous nutritional support if necessary. Give more fresh fruits and vegetables to supplement vitamins and minerals.

3. Drug use guidance: Strictly follow the doctor's advice to take the medicine. Chemotherapy and targeted drugs need to be reviewed regularly and adverse reactions are closely monitored. Symptom-based support treatment such as painkillers and nutritional drugs are indispensable.

4. Complication prevention and treatment: Prevent and promptly deal with myelosuppression, intestinal reactions, etc. caused by chemoradiation and chemotherapy. Regular review and beware of tumor recurrence or metastasis.

5. Functional exercise: According to the recovery situation, perform functional training such as swallowing and walking step by step to prevent muscle atrophy and promote body rehabilitation.

6. Psychological counseling: cancer is not only a physiological trauma, but also a psychological trauma. We should give our dog more companionship and comfort, create a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, and encourage it to regain confidence in life.

In short, care during the recovery period of nasal tumors requires a lot of time and energy to the owner, but these efforts are worth it. Let us use responsibility and love to help our dog overcome the disease and live a wonderful life.

8. Conclusion

Narinal tumors are a dangerous disease, but we should not be afraid of it. As long as we are vigilant, discover and actively treat, we will definitely give our dog more chances of survival and higher quality of life..

As dog owners, we must learn to face diseases calmly and arm ourselves with knowledge and love. Regular physical examinations, scientific feeding, strengthen exercise, and avoid carcinogenic factors to prevent tumor occurrence to the greatest extent. Once you are unfortunately ill, you should actively cooperate with treatment and take care of it carefully and thoughtfully so that your dog can feel meticulous care.

In 2024, with the continuous advancement of medical technology, the diagnosis and treatment model of nasal tumors will surely be more accurate and efficient. But no matter how advanced the technology is, our love for our dogs will not change. Let us work hand in hand, light up our lives with love, and let every angel dog live carefree and grow up healthily and happily.