The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved three new drugs to treat cancer in dogs.

The three new drugs are Paccal Vet-CA1, an injectable drug to treat squamous cell carcinoma and mammary carcinoma anbd Kinavet-CA1 and Palladia, which are both used to treat mast cell tumors.

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The generic names for the drugs are paclitaxel, masitinib mesylate and toceranib phosphate, respectively.

Though the cancer rates for people and dogs are almost similar, dogs are more unfortunate since they have fewer cancer treatments to choose from.

"Pets are living longer because of preventative health care. And we're able to diagnose cancers earlier. As a result, there is an increased need for better cancer treatments," said Dr. Lisa Troutman, a veterinarian with the FDA..

Until recently, treatments for the disease approved for humans were the only available choices for pets. Specialized cancer treatments, however, surfaced in recent years, but only for dogs.

The warning signs of cancer in dogs are also similar to those in people. These symptoms include swelling or abnormal bleeding; wounds that won't heal and bumps or lumps.

Other symptoms that dogs have cancer are changes in the animal's drinking, eating, urinating, defecating and sleeping habits.

"Emotional state, such as being withdrawn and irritable, can be another sign," Troutman said.

If an animal companion is diagnosed with cancer, its owner should ask a veterinarian for available treatments and its side-effects, the cost of treatment, how often hospital visits are required and by how much the pet's quality of life will be improved.

There are currently no FDA approved drugs to treat cats with cancer.

TagsCancer, canine, Dogs, pets, Chemotherapy, medicine, Science, Veterinary Medicine, Veterinarians, FDA