November Is Pet Cancer Awareness Month

Early detection is key!

Cancer is a scary word, yet we live with rogue cells every day. All of our bodies are designed to know how to eliminate or isolate these so that they are out of commission and we can go on about the business of living. However, there are times the body doesn’t have the right tools to do this. This is when we notice symptoms of illnesses from influenza to diabetes to cancer.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) states, “Approximately 1 in 4 dogs will, at some stage in their life, develop [cancer]. Almost half of dogs over the age of 10 will develop cancer. Dogs get cancer at roughly the same rate as humans, while there is less information about the rate of cancer in cats.” If you know the signs and are paying attention, you are much more likely to catch diseases early and early detection can make a big difference!

Because cancer can affect many different areas in the body, observable symptoms vary. Again, from the AVMA: “Consult your veterinarian if you observe any of the following signs in your pet:

• Abdominal swelling
• Bleeding from the mouth, nose or other body openings
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty eating
• Lumps, bumps or discolored skin
• Non-healing wounds
• Persistent diarrhea or vomiting
• Sudden changes in weight
• Unexplained swelling, heat, pain or lameness
• Visible mass/tumor.”

It’s important to remember that these symptoms are not a diagnosis of cancer, just a guide to things that could help you detect it and hopefully detect it early since many cancers are treatable. They may also be signs of other illnesses or completely unrelated and benign issues. For instance, lumps could be fatty cysts and relatively innocent. This doesn’t mean you should ignore them. Prompt veterinary attention is the only way to find out what the root cause might be. If cancer is your pet’s diagnosis, there are many more tools at our disposal to aid you and your veterinarian in delivering the best care possible for your pet and your family.

Want to dive in deeper. Check out the whole article from the AVMA by clicking here.