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Nov 14 2019
Home » News » November Is Pet Cancer Awareness Month
Studies have shown that pets are living longer these days, due to improved preventive care and nutrition, and advances in veterinary medicine. As our pets age, they experience many of the same health conditions and diseases that we experience as we age. Cancer is one of those diseases. Pet Cancer Awareness Month was established to educate pet owners on cancer prevention, the signs to look for, and the advancements in cancer treatments.
Pets can develop different types of cancer – just as we can. Cancer is quite common in dogs: 1 in 4 will develop cancer in their lifetime and almost half over the age of 10 will develop cancer. Certain breeds have a higher risk of developing cancer at a young age, but cancer is most often diagnosed in middle-aged and senior pets. There is less information on the rate of cancer in cats, but it seems that the incidence is about the same as in dogs, with 1 in 5 cats developing cancer in their lifetime.
While there are many different types of cancer that can affect our animal companions, some types occur more frequently than others. Some of the cancers diagnosed in pets are the same as those that occur in humans, including mammary gland (breast) cancer and lymphoma.
The most commonly diagnosed cancers in cats are:
The most commonly diagnosed cancers in dogs are:
As with people, the cause of cancer in pets is largely unknown, making prevention difficult. However, we do know that certain cancers can be prevented. Taking the following steps can reduce the incidence of certain cancers:
Early detection and treatment are the best ways to increase life expectancy if your pet does get cancer. The warning signs of cancer in pets are similar to those in people. Sometimes, however, the signs may not be obvious or specific, so any time your pet appears unwell or something doesn’t seem quite right, check with your veterinarian. Some warning signs to look for include:
Many of the above signs can be seen with conditions unrelated to cancer, but they still need to be investigated by your veterinarian. If you observe any of the signs listed above, call your veterinary hospital to have your pet checked.
If your pet is diagnosed with cancer, there are many treatment options available, including surgery, cryosurgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. Your veterinarian will discuss the best treatment options with you and help you choose a plan of care.
By taking your pet to your veterinarian for regular wellness checks and getting into the habit of checking your pet all over (looking for skin changes, lumps or bumps, and other signs) between wellness checks, earlier diagnoses can be made and more successful outcomes achieved.
LifeLearn News
Note: This article, written by LifeLearn Animal Health (LifeLearn Inc.) is licensed to this practice for the personal use of our clients. Any copying, printing or further distribution is prohibited without the express written permission of Lifelearn. Please note that the news information presented here is NOT a substitute for a proper consultation and/or clinical examination of your pet by a veterinarian.
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