Could you recognize the signs of Cancer in your Pet?
/May is Pet Cancer Awareness month.
According to the Veterinary Cancer Society, cancer is the leading cause of death found in 47% of dogs, especially dogs over age 10, and 32% of cats.
Many of the same cancers that occur in people, also can occur in your pets, including skin cancers, mammary cancer, testicular cancer and osteosarcoma.
Certain breeds of cats and dogs are more susceptible to develop certain types of cancer and as pets age, the risk increases.
As with people, the cause of cancer in pets is still unknown. However, taking the following steps can reduce the incidence of certain cancers:
spay your female pet. Spaying reduces the risk of mammary gland tumours in cats, dogs and others pets such as rabbits.
Neuter your male pet. Neutering entirely eliminates the risk of testicular cancer.
Keep your pet out of the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. This reduces the risk of some forms of skin cancer.
Vaccinate your cat for feline leukaemia. This prevents feline leukaemia virus infection which can cause several kinds of cancer.
Avoid smoking in your home. This may prevent some forms of cancer, including oral cancers.
Some signs to watch for that may indicate cancer include:
lumps, bumps or discoloured skin that appear on your pet’s body
swollen lymph nodes or abdominal swelling
wounds that do not heal
bleeding or discharge from the mouth, gums, nose, vagina or penis
lameness or stiffness that persists
loss of appetite or difficulty eating
bad odour from the mouth
difficulty urinating or defecating or accidents in a house-trained pet
unexplained weight loss
coughing or difficulty breathing
chronic vomiting or diarrhea
lethargy
If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian right away.
If your vet determines that your pet has cancer, treatments similar to those used in human medicine - surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are available.
The earlier the disease is detected, the greater the chance that treatment will be successful.
