My dog's X-ray shows lung issues. How to tell pneumonia from cancer?

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear that Kan is having a problem. This could be tricky but the next step would be a CT scan or MRI Scan. Not sure if ultrasound would be helpful but maybe. A fine needle biopsy or aspirate of the mass or a surgical biopsy would hopefully be able to obtain some tissue from the mass to determine what it is. I cannot make out much on the xrays due to the quality over the internet. Possibilities of a mass always fall into some broad categories including an abscess (pus filled pocket from infection), a granuloma or collection of inflammatory cells), a seroma of fluid fulled sac, a hematoma or pocket of blood, or a tumor which could be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). Kan is very young to have a tumor but it must be on the differential list. What else could it be? A very congested lung lobe from multiple things, a lung lobe torsion where a lobe of the lung turns on it's axis and is out of place, an area of calcification, etc. I hope this helps and I hope Kan does really well for you. I'm hoping for the best for you two.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The fact that these biopsies have come back inconclusive does not mean that this is not cancer. Unfortunately, this is very likely an aggressive form of cancer. After seeing these images, my main concern is that this is possibly a tumor arising from one of the ribs or sternebrae such as osteosarcoma for instance. In one of the images I see that there is likely pulmonary nodules which are most likely due to metastasis or spread of this cancer. It is hard for me to advice further without being able to look at more images or know more about the case. I would encourage you to check in again with them as another biopsy could be performed. Also, if there is truly already signs of metastasis, the treatment options and prognosis are also limited. I would mention to them the possibility of being referred to a veterinary oncologist who can look at the case with more details and advice further. I really hope they can help you and your boy!

You might ask your veterinarian if the X-rays could be reviewed by a radiologist. While the resolution that the forum pictures allow makes them a bit difficult to interpret, I am concerned that the X-rays do not appear normal, and she may have a more serious underlying condition. It may be that she has some underlying heart disease, cancer, or an infection that requires a more broad spectrum of antibiotic. I agree the blood work you've attached is unremarkable. Was a CBC performed as well? Check back with your vet about a radiology review, and a recheck exam as well. A consult with a cardiologist may be recommended, depending on the radiologist's opinion. I'm sorry I don't have better news, or a solution to offer you to try at home, but I think you need to circle back and followup with your vet on this. Thank you for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

I'm so sorry for Roark's diagnosis. If Roark is still exhibiting signs like coughing and an increased breathing rate he could still be experiencing issues with pneumonia however these signs could also be a result of his cancerous mass. You can continue the antibiotics until you can get Roark in for a recheck of X-rays to determine if he still has pneumonia. Ultimately X-rays will be needed to know if he should remain on the antibiotics. If coughing or respiratory changes are occurring secondary to the cancer then you may want to discuss other medication options with your veterinarian that will help alleviate his discomfort. Using an antibiotic if the cough is related to the mass will not help anything and will actually put Roark at risk for negative side effects. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Osteosarcoma can’t be totally diagnosed by an X-ray, and this doesn’t look definitive to me. I recommend taking him to an orthopedic specialist for a second opinion, and they can take another X-ray to compare with this. If it’s bone cancer the moth eaten area will probably be larger or more defined. They can also do a bone biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. He could be lame from a shoulder problem, or even pain radiating down his leg from a disc in his neck. Hopefully he is on pain medication. In my opinion the next step to be sure of the diagnosis would be to get an exam with a specialist. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Riot.

Poor girl. : ( Tumor can develop at any rate in pets so yes 6 months is plenty of time for a tumor to develop and show up. However, if there is a lot of fluid there, a tumor may not be readily visible on an x-ray. A CT or MRI scan is more sensitive to picking up small tumors or tumors that are obscured by fluid. A lung tumor or advancement of her heart condition are two likely possibilities to these symptoms. We have to keep in mind that heart disease can't be cured but only managed to a certain point with medication. It is possible that these symptoms are simply an indication that the heart condition may have surpassed medical management capabilities. If you are however still looking for options and cannot commit to advanced imaging (CT, MRI scan), then you can inquire with your vet about possibly increaseing China's medications. Lasix has a wide range of therapeutic index so it may be able to be increased. Another heart medication called Pimobendan also can be added to her treatment regimen. I am not sure if you meant to include this with your list of medications, b/c one of the medications seems to have been autocorrected to say "veterinary". Best of luck with your pet China and I hope that you can get her stabilized soon! Take care.

Hi. There is an abnormality in the cores of the bone near shoulder. Cancer is a possibility, along with bone infections (bacterial or fungal), or inflammatory diseases. Unfortunately with her being older, cancer is higher on the list then younger pets. Based on this xray, we can't say for sure. I would recommend sending these x-rays to a radiology specialist, which your veterinarian can do. A bone biopsy can be done as well to determine if the changes are consistent w cancer. Good luck.