ABOUT CANCER

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ABOUT CANCER

***NOTE---I AM NOT A VET, I FOUND THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION BY RESEARCH AND SOME FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. IF YOU FEEL THAT YOUR PET IS BEHAVING, ACTING OR LOOKS DIFFERENT PHYSICALLY, PLEASE SEE YOUR VET.

SIGNS TO WATCH FOR:

WEIGHT LOSS

LOSS OF APPETITE

SKIN SORES THAT DO NOT HEAL

SWELLING OR LUMPS

CONSTANT VOMITING OR DIARRHEA

LETHARGY

HARD TIME BREATHING

LOSS IN NORMAL ACTIVITIES

WHAT IS CANCER?

Cancer is cell growth that is uncontrolled. It can affect the body internally or externally. It may affect only one part of the body or invade other parts (metastasis). Cancer can be benign (none deadly) or malignant (deadly). However, benign cancers can become malignant.

HOW COMMON IS CANCER IN PETS?

Cancer is a common disease in pets. More so with dogs than cats. But, as an animal gets older, the risk is greater, and is a chief cause of death for pets over the age of 10.

HOW IS CANCER DIAGNOSED?

There are many different ways to diagnose cancer in pets.

If your vet feels there is a possibility that your pet may have cancer, due to they way they look or she/he may have felt a lump; they may use one of or all of the following:

X-rays-One of the most common

Blood tests

Ultrasound

If the vet determines there is a mass, they may suggest to do a biopsy which will determine if it is benign or malignant.

CAN CANCER BE PREVENTED?

Some cancers, such as mammary (breast) cancer can be reduced by spaying/neutering a pet. But, that is no guarantee. The cause of most cancers in pets are unknown, therefore prevention is hard.

WHAT ARE SOME TYPES OF CANCER?

Pets can get almost the same types of cancer as humans

Here is a list of the most common.

SKIN: More common in dogs than with cats. If a cat gets skin cancer, it is often malignant, whereas with dogs it most often is benign. If your pet has any unusual sores, wounds that won't heal, or strange bumps, see your vet immediately.

BREAST: When both cats or dogs are diagnosed with this type of cancer, about 80% of diagnosed cases will be malignant.

LYMPHOMA: Common in both cats and dogs, it is a cancer that effects the lymph nodes. Causing them to become enlarged.

FELINE LEUKEMIA: This is a highly contagious and deadly form of cancer. It affects the cats blood. Cats can be carriers or have the full blown disease. The ELISA test is usually given. A cat with this form of cancer can develop many other forms of cancer. Therefore, if you have a cat with FELV it is often suggested that you have your cat seen by your vet twice a year and blood work done. FELV can be prevented with shots but again nothing is 100%. Some cats with FELV may be put on Interferon.

ABDOMINAL: Another common form of cancer, it is often hard to diagnosis, and often when it is it is quiet advanced. If you begin to notice your pet loosing weight or see their abdomen become distended, check with your vet.

CANCER TREATMENT

If your pets cancer is caught in time, your vet may use any of the following treatments individually or in combination.

Chemotherapy-usually a daily shot. A common chemo may be prednisone.

Cryo Therapy-freezing of the cells with liquid nitrogen

Surgery-removal of a mass

Radiation Therapy-use of radiation

SUCCESS RATE

Depending on the type of cancer, age, condition of your pet, and if it has been caught in time will affect the success rate. This is information you will need to discuss wit your vet.


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