Caring For Your Dog With A Cancerous Tumor

Written by author Kasey Fallon

“It’s cancer.” “The tumor is in a difficult area.” 

These are some of the worst words to hear in any situation, but especially for our dogs who can’t tell us where it hurts. And I heard them just last year. My PuppyBeast, my Catahoula best friend, had a cancerous mast cell tumor. It’s overwhelming, heartbreaking, and confusing. But you’re not alone if you hear these words - and your dog needs you now more than ever.

While brushing him, I noticed he had a small, dime-sized lump in the juncture of his back leg. I left for a few weeks for work and came home; it had quadrupled in size. I called the vet immediately. Cancer can grow fast. When lumps appear out of nowhere and grow quickly, all dog owners should be aware of the possibilities and get them checked. 

It often starts with something small: a lump under the skin, a limp that doesn't go away, or just a change in behavior. The vet runs some tests, and suddenly you’re dealing with a diagnosis like mast cell tumor, osteosarcoma, or another form of cancer in your dog. Don't hesitate to ask questions. Write things down. Bring someone supportive with you if you can. 

Hearing the word “cancer” is terrifying, but many types of cancer in dogs are treatable, especially if caught early. Your vet or veterinary oncologist will go over options. The best option for the PuppyBeast was surgery - even though my vet couldn’t do the surgery themselves because of the size and location. They referred me to another vet, who scheduled him right away for a couple weeks out.  

Surgery is often the first and most effective step in treating many tumors. But making that decision isn’t easy. You’ll need to consider:

• Your dog’s age and general health
• The location and type of tumor
• The likelihood of success or recurrence
• Recovery time and care requirements
• Financial and emotional resources

Your dog’s well-being is at the heart of this choice. It’s okay to feel torn. Surgery can be life-saving, but it’s also hard on both dog and owner. Remember: choosing to pursue surgery —or not— is an act of love either way.

I decided surgery was the best option for the PuppyBeast and I. I brought him in first thing in the morning (no breakfast for either of us - him so he wouldn’t get sick during surgery, me because I was so stressed). They told me to drop him off and they would call me that afternoon for an update, but I couldn’t make myself leave the parking lot. A novel and crunchy Cheetos helped keep me distracted.

Post-op recovery may be rough. Your dog may come home groggy, confused, and in pain. You’ll be handed a list of medications, instructions on wound care, and stern advice to prevent licking, playing, jumping, or running. Basically, all the things your dog loves to do.

I was fortunate that I had supportive people around me able to help. I could never have carried my 100lb lap dog very far by myself, let alone up and down the four flights of stairs to my apartment multiple times a day. Practical considerations like these are important. Do you have an available place for your dog to rest after surgery or during treatment?

Some of the biggest challenges during recovery include:

• Keeping your dog calm and restricted
• Crate rest, leashes in the house, and baby gates or blockades become your new normal.
• Dealing with medications and side effects
• Pain meds and antibiotics can upset your dog’s stomach or make them lethargic.
• Managing emotions
• You might feel guilt, sadness, or even regret. That’s normal. Healing is hard—for both of you.

Where PuppyBeast’s tumor was located (mid-upper part of the hind leg), was not a fleshy area. It was a difficult surgery, and there wasn’t enough skin to patch him up after excising the tumor. 

His take-home medication included sedatives to keep him from bothering the site as his skin grew back. As such a large breed with long legs, he reached right around his cone to lick the wound. His natural energy forced him to move unless he was heavily drugged. To go to the bathroom, he had to be half-carried using a sling. I don’t think either of us slept more than catnaps for weeks. 

It was one of the most strenuous periods of my -our- lives. But any time I felt overwhelmed or frustrated, he knew, and he would nuzzle me or give me a kiss. Because dogs know. They know when things are rough, and they know who’s on their side. 

Recovery isn’t always linear. Some days will feel hopeful; others might be scary or frustrating. But with time and the right care, many dogs bounce back with wagging tails, renewed energy, and the same spirit they’ve always had. To this day, my PuppyBeast still asks for extra play time and more miles. 

Whether your dog has many more years and miles ahead or you're giving them the best care possible in their final chapter, you’re showing them the deepest kind of love.

A dedicated dog-mom and critique partner through the Maryland Writers Association, Kasey is an award winning author writing across multiple genres. Her dogs are always rescues, her tea forgotten, and her love of a story never-ending. 

You can learn more about Kasey by visiting her website, or find her on Goodreads.