What are Brain Tumors?
A brain tumor is a serious condition caused by improper cell division in tissues associated with the brain. These cells are unable to receive the “stop growing” signal and continue to divide, forming masses that can replace or damage healthy brain tissue. Brain damage can cause abnormal behavior, weakness or lethargy, and difficulty moving. Only a veterinarian can properly identify and diagnose a brain tumor, so make an appointment as soon as possible if your pet exhibits unusual behavior or tremors.
A brain tumor is a malignant growth associated with one or more of the structures of the brain, classified by the type of cells in the tumor, the behavior, and any secondary changes seen in or around the tumor. Brain tumors may arise either from the neural tissue itself, or metastasize (spread) from associated muscle, bone or blood.Brain Tumors Average Cost
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Average Cost
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Symptoms of Brain Tumors in Dogs
- Tremors
- Abnormal Behavior
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Vision loss or impairment
- Bleeding in the brain
- Tissue necrosis
- Abnormal hair loss/growth
Causes of Brain Tumors in Dogs
- Exposure to carcinogens, either acutely or over one’s lifetime
- Genetic predisposition
Diagnosis of Brain Tumors in Dogs
Brain tumors vary widely in the type of malignant growth, their location, size and rate of growth. The symptoms of a brain tumor will be determined by two factors: the part of the brain the tumor is damaging, and any other structures nearby. For example, it is not uncommon for bone tumors deep inside the nasal cavity to spread to the brain, causing persistent sneezing and bloody noses, or for brain tumors beneath the eye socket to press on the optic nerve and cause blindness or double vision. Thus, any abnormal behavior or unusual symptom such as bleeding from the nose should be reported promptly to a veterinarian, as this may be an early clue to a hidden illness.
There are many steps a veterinarian can take to successfully diagnose a brain tumor, beginning with a simple head x-ray. This procedure can easily be done in most clinics and thanks to digital imaging, can provide results immediately. However, plain-film x-rays do not always provide enough detail to properly identify or even visualize the tumor, especially if it is of a similar density to brain tissue. Therefore, if the x-ray turns up an inconclusive or negative result, a CT scan with contrast is usually the next choice. A CT scan is essentially a series of pictures taken via a rotating x-ray camera that are re-assembled into a 3D image. To better distinguish the potential tumor from the surrounding tissue, a special dye will be injected using an IV. This dye often causes a sensation of tingling warmth, but is not painful and will not harm your pet.
Another diagnostic tool that may be used is the MRI. MRI technology using magnetic pulses to image the interior of the body, and is better for diagnosing tumors composed exclusively of soft tissue. These machines can be somewhat loud or intimidating, but owners may be allowed to accompany and comfort their pet.
Finally, when the tumor is confirmed and located, one or both of the following may be necessary. First, if the tumor is accessible to surgeons, a biopsy (small sample of tissue) will be taken for testing to identify the tumor. If the tumor is not accessible, or additional information is required, blood or cerebrospinal fluid may be taken for testing, as immunological markers may be present that will identify the tumor.
Treatment of Brain Tumors in Dogs
The treatment for a brain tumor will vary widely based on the nature and location of the tumor, the size and how early it was diagnosed. In general, an accessible tumor will be removed surgically, along with radiation or chemotherapy. Radiation therapy with Cobalt-60 has shown significant increases in survival rates compared to surgery alone.
An inaccessible tumor cannot be treated surgically, and so chemotherapy/radiation may be employed. Steroids to reduce swelling and anticonvulsants to stop seizures may also be used to minimize symptoms and provide the dog with some comfort, but this is usually to ease the passing of the animal, and is not a cure.
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Recovery of Brain Tumors in Dogs
In general, outlook for dogs with brain tumors is guarded or poor. Well-defined, single brain tumors that have not grown to excessive size and may be accessed surgically have the best chance of a successful outcome. Tumors in groups or inaccessible to surgeons have the poorest prognosis. Radiation therapy can be used to extend a dog’s life over a few additional months, but is not usually a cure. Palliative treatment to make a dog more comfortable is often given, including steroids, anticonvulsants, and painkillers.
Brain Tumors Average Cost
From 21 quotes ranging from $5,000 - $25,000
Average Cost
$12,000
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Brain Tumors Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Chloe
9 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Shaking
Lethargy
No Equalibrium
Bad Breathing
(Others)
SO: vet thinks she has a brain tumor. quick story to help you understand the question and situation: Since Dec, she hung her head like Eeyore. When we picked her up from coming back from the beach, she had gunk in her nose and eye. and was very tired. She went to the vet and was put on steroids along with an ointment for her eye. we have slowly been weaning her off of them. Wednesday, (when it snowed) she was fine (tilting her head a little) and playin' around like her normal self(she acts like a 3 yr old despite her age). Then that night, she was laying down, shaking, breatihing rapidly, and shallow. Im 15 and so all i could do was check her heart and breath rate, which was a little abnormal. I thought she was going to die within the night, and couldnt get ahold of a doctor available. Well she was still hanging on in the morning and so my mom took her to the vet, and she spent the night. While she was there they ran some tests for vestibular disease. X-ray of chest showed inlarged heart, and fluid. A doctor who speaclized said the X-ray was messed up, because Chloe was breathing so fast, and it was fat not fluid. Yesterday,(sat) the doctor told us she probably has a brain tumor. We were devastated, and went to visit her. Remember how i said she was doing a head tilt? Well it had made her turn her head over her back, instead of sitting with her head in front of her chest. She was in critical condition: couldnt walk, couldn't sit up straight without leaning over and banging her head, and could barely see out of her eye. We left after 1 and a 1/2hr. The doctor went full steroids again, and later that day showed us a picture of her drinking water, along with getting fluids, through an IV. Later yesterday i looked up brain tumors in dogs and after searching a while, found stereotactic radiosugery, which is available at UGA, and i live about 2 hrs away. I asked chloe's vet and said it sounded like a good option but that we should get her stable first. This morning, i woke up to pictures of Chloe, drinking, standing, laying without a bent head, and her going on a walk! around 5:00 we went and picked her up to bring her home. When she got out of the car, i saw a little tail wagging, and she was urgent to go on a walk around the driveway. She did the grapevine, stumbled, and leaned all to one side while she walked. Possibly because of not being a ble to see out of her eye, or equilibrium, or something else. (oh the doctor said the tumor was probably pressing on her brain stem causing the respitory problems). So a few hours ago we walk her inside, making sure she doesnt fall or slip, and put her on her bed. My mom, gave her a treat, and she ate it but about one minute later, started doing something like choking! we ended up being okay, but it scared the bajeebies out of me! Then shes been laying down since then. Presently on the other side of the room on her bed, resting. Now, I thank you for reading that and here is my question. Since you now know how critical condition she is in, i want to know if she can get an MRI while being on steroids. The vet said it would mess it up. In order to get the stereotactic radiosurgery i meantioned earlier it requires precision using the radiation on the cancer(tumor). I understand that, but taking her off the steroids would, put simply, kill her if shes this bad while on them. I belive that since she has such a strong will, mind and soul she could overcome this if the treatment were preformed. Otherwise the tumor will probably mess her up all together. keep in mind that im 15, and have never lost a pet before so Any opinions or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Jan. 22, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. I'm sorry that this is happening to your Chloe. I appreciate that you want to do everything that you can for her. I have never heard of steroids interfering with an MRI, and given her situation, she does need the MRI to locate any lesion that is causing these signs. Before having the MRI, you would have a consultation with a neurologist, and they would be able to let you know if the steroids will interfere with any testing that she needs, but I feel fairly sure that she can get the MRI while she is on them. I hope that things go well for her!
Jan. 22, 2018
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sheltie pomeranian
Dakota
12 Years
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0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Whining
Falling Over
My dog is 12 years old. She starting having seizures about 3 months ago and about one seizure a month. The seizure consisted of her falling over and yelping. Her eyes then shut for around 5-10 seconds. When she opens her eyes, her legs start to kick a bit. Once that stops she is tired but gets up shortly after and acts normal. We have noticed her mouth shivers a lot. Recently she started having them daily and now is having 1-2 a day. She has lost control of bowels twice during a seizure. The seizures last about 30 seconds. The vet said her hearing and vision looks fine but doesn't want to put her on seizure medication because it might affect her liver and we can afford the brain scan. Any advice?
Jan. 19, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. If Dakota is having seizures that are increasing in frequency, she may need to go on anti-seizure medication to control them. The seizures themselves aren't life threatening if they continue to be short like the ones you are describing, but 1-2 a day are a lot for her to go through. If her liver enzymes are normal on her lab work, she may be fine starting the seizure medication. I don't know what her blood work looks like, so it would be best to follow up with your veterinarian and let them know they are becoming more frequent.
Jan. 19, 2018
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Boxerman
Luca
12 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Seizures
I have an almost 12 y.o. Boxer named Luca. He started having seizures May 31. On June 1 he was started on phenobarbital. Which had to be upped a few times and is currently on about 200 mg a day. His eating and sleeping habits became a cause for concern lately and we decided that it was probably time to 'let him go'. We went to a new vet because we were unhappy with our current one. The new vet would not put him down and wanted us to add potassium bromide to mix and told us to give him a chance. We agreed and he is home and seems to be perking up with is great. But we have noticed that Everytime one of us bumps into his head or our other dog runs into his head he yelps. We also noticed he can't shake his head like dogs do. Is that a symptom of maybe he might have a brain tumor?
Nov. 19, 2017
1 Recommendations
I do not think that a brain tumour would cause sensitivity to the head if knocked but ear infections, salivary gland issues, dental issues and other causes may make his head sensitive. Potassium bromide was a good decision to take and it is nice to read he is perking up; I would take each day as it comes and have your new Veterinarian examine Luca’s head in more detail at your next checkup. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Nov. 20, 2017
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Brain Tumors Average Cost
From 21 quotes ranging from $5,000 - $25,000
Average Cost
$12,000
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
