Nasal tumors in dogs cause progressive destruction of nasal structures, with significant welfare impacts from nasal obstruction, pain, and the treatment options available.
Dogs with nasal tumors experience progressive welfare decline as tumors destroy nasal structures and invade adjacent tissues. Nasal obstruction causes chronic breathing difficulty and loss of the olfactory function critical to canine wellbeing. Epistaxis causes distress and loss of blood. Tumor invasion through the cribriform plate into the brain causes neurological signs including seizures and behavioral changes that severely compromise quality of life. Pain from bone destruction is significant and requires multimodal management. Radiation therapy improves survival but requires repeated anesthesia and can cause side effects including mucositis. Palliative care focusing on quality of life is an important option for dogs not suitable for radiation.