Recently, the extent of research on cannabis’ effect on cancer cells is only growing, and new research showing the benefits continues to emerge. New research is just the start of what could be a groundbreaking connection between cannabis and cancer treatments⁴. Promising new research investigates the use of CBD for bladder cancer in dogs.
What is Bladder Cancer?
Cancer can affect all parts of the urinary tract, including kidneys, bladder, ureters, prostrate and urethra. However, bladder cancer is the most common diagnosis when dealing with cancer of the urinary tract in dogs. Although, when compared to tumors in other parts of the body, bladder cancer is still relatively uncommon, accounting for only 1-2 percent of all cancers in dogs.
Invasive transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of intermediate to high grade is the most common bladder cancer in dogs. TCC is a cancerous tumor that invades the bladder wall’s deeper layers, including the bladder muscles. TCC in dogs can also spread to lymph nodes and other organs.
While bladder cancer can affect any breed of dog, it is more common in Scottish Terriers than in other breeds, suggesting that a hereditary predisposition may be a risk factor. It’s also most commonly diagnosed in middle-aged to senior female dogs. Although the precise cause of bladder cancer in dogs is uncertain, there appears to be a correlation between a genetic predisposition and environmental factors, such as pesticides and insecticides.
Symptoms of Bladder Cancer in Dogs
Early signs of bladder cancer include straining to urinate, painful urination, increased urination and incontinence, and blood in the urine. These symptoms increase in severity as the cancer progresses and can become life threatening if not closely monitored and staged³. In later stages of bladder cancer, some dogs experience lameness due to the cancer spreading to the dog’s bones or other organs. Definitive diagnosis is important, since things like a UTI (urinary tract infection) can mimic the early symptoms of bladder cancer, and obviously UTIs are less serious (yet still very important to address) than bladder cancer.
Common symptoms can include:
