Symptoms of Brain Tumors in Dogs include tremors, abnormal behavior, lethargy, weakness, loss of appetite, vision loss or impairment, bleeding in the brain, tissue swelling, seizures, muscle weakness, behavioral changes, walking in circles, head pressing against the wall or another surface, head tilts, and loss of coordination.
Do brain tumors in dogs come on suddenly?
Yes, brain tumors in dogs can come on suddenly. Signs and symptoms of brain or spinal cord tumors may develop gradually and become worse over time, or they can happen suddenly, with the pet suddenly exhibiting neurological symptoms such as seizures, abnormal behavior, or difficulty walking or controlling the body. Imaging tests such as radiographs (x-rays) or ultrasound of other anatomical sites can be used to locate or to rule out primary tumors in other areas that may cause the symptoms.
How long can a dog live with a brain tumor?
The prognosis for brain tumours in dogs is poor, with a median (average) survival time of around two months with supportive care alone. However, some dogs have been known to live up to a year or more with treatment such as radiation and/or surgery. The survival time also varies depending on the type of tumor involved and the health of your pooch. The complete surgical removal of a solitary brain tumor may give a dog up to 28 months of life expectancy.
What happens when my dog has a brain tumor?
If your dog has a brain tumor, it can cause a wide variety of clinical signs which vary according to the part of the brain that is affected. Common symptoms include abnormal behavior/mental activity, abnormal vision, circling, a wobbly gait, head tilt, hypersensitivity to neck pain, seizures, and changes in personality, appetite, and thirst. The best survival outcomes for brain tumors is surgery, followed by adjuvant conventional finely fractionated radiation therapy. If surgery is not an option, chemotherapy may be used as an alternative.
How do you diagnose brain tumors in dogs?
To diagnose a brain tumor in dogs, a veterinarian will typically perform a physical examination, bloodwork, and imaging tests such as X-rays, ultrasound, or MRI. If the tumor is suspected to be malignant, a tissue biopsy may be recommended in order to definitively diagnose the tumor. MRI is usually the preferred imaging test, as it allows the vet to clearly view the location, size, and shape of the tumor. In some cases, a sample of the tumor may be taken for further testing in order to determine the exact type of tumor.