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How long can a dog live after being diagnosed with lung cancer?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

If dog has lung cancer thwn how much time he has to live? Can he live foe ywaes ie months then how much?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Ann Dion, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 14th, 2018

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Lung cancer can be either primary (one tumor that starts in the lungs), or can be metastatic (cancer somewhere else that has spread to the lungs, leaving lots of small little tumors). Metastatic disease that has spread to the lungs carries a poor prognosis, meaning they don't live very long. Primary lung cancer is also not very good, but has the potential of maybe being responsive to surgery or chemotherapy. In general, lung cancer means they don't have too much time. The amount of time is unknown, and depends on your dog's body, the type of cancer, and how strong your dog is at this point and how much of the lung is affected. I would however expect the disease to progress, and would be thinking in terms of weeks, not months or years. They tend to start to have trouble breathing and then go downhill quickly after that. I am sorry about your little one, I hope your dog feels ok.

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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