Pet Cancer Awareness Month

Cancer accounts for nearly 50% of all disease-related pet deaths each year. Dogs get cancer at roughly the same rates as humans. Although cancer is not as common in cats as it is in dogs, the cancers found in cats tend to be more aggressive.

Approximately 1 in 4 dogs develop a tumor of some kind during their lifetime.

Cancer cells develop because of damage to DNA. Most often a dog's DNA becomes damaged by exposure to something in the environment, such as tobacco smoke, pesticides or other carcinogens.

PET CANCER SIGNS: 

• Swollen lymph noes
• An enlarging lump
• Abdominal Distension
• Chronic Weight Loss
• Chronic Vomiting
• Chronic Diarrhea
• Unexplained Bleeding
• Cough
• Lameness
• Straining to Urinate
• Oral Odor 

MORE ON PET CANCER SIGNS: 

An enlarging or changing lump: any lump on a pet that is rapidly growing or changing in texture or shape should have a biopsy.

Chronic weight loss: When a pet is losing weight and you have not put your pet on a diet, you should have your pet checked.

Unexplained bleeding: Bleeding from the mouth, nose, penis, vagina, or gums that is not due to trauma should be examined.

Cough: A dry, non-productive cough in an older pet should prompt chest radiographs to be taken

Abdominal distension: When the "stomach" or belly becomes rapidly enlarged, this may suggest a mass or tumor in the abdomen or it may indicate some bleeding that is occurring in this area.