Most of us know at least one person in our lives who has had to battle cancer. Nothing can strike more fear in the human heart than hearing that word! Thankfully, when it comes to our friends and loved ones, we live in a time when there are many more treatment options for this disease and for many people battling cancer, their treatments are very successful.
We have all become very mindful of cancer awareness in our own lives, but what about cancer awareness in our pets? Sadly, cancer does affect our furry friends and it happens to be the number one killer of older cats and dogs. Unlike our loved ones, our pets can’t communicate with us when something is wrong, so it falls on us to be watching for abnormalities that can tip us off that there is a problem.
SYMPTOMS TO NOTICE
Early detection is always key when it comes to cancer, in both humans and pets, and just like we are encouraged to check ourselves for abnormal growths, we need to do the same for our pets. A good way to go about this is to give them massages on a regular basis, such as once a month, especially as they get older and more vulnerable to the disease. As you go through this process, you want to be attentive to any abnormalities you might feel. Also, check their paws as you clip their nails and look in their mouths when you can, to watch for anything that may look abnormal there as well. Other common symptoms to watch for are:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Decreased appetite or energy level
- Changes in drinking or urinating habits
- Persistent limping in older, larger dogs
- Persistent coughing or sneezing or discharge from the nose
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS?
Should your pet exhibit any of these symptoms, contact your vet immediately. The sooner they are diagnosed and treated, the better. Depending on the situation, your vet may refer you to a Vet Specialist to pursue treatment. Surgery is often an option as well as radiation. There are also more targeted therapies that a specialist can perform if that is determined to be necessary. Should your pet receive a cancer diagnosis it’s important to know all of your options and then choose what is best for your pet. Sometimes treatment options can be very expensive and don’t hold any promise of success. Sometimes the treatment can be an extremely difficult process; almost worse than the disease itself. These types of situations can sometimes require us to make hard decisions such as for-going treatment and opting for medication that will simply keep your pet more comfortable. However, with complex or more expensive treatments, there is an option that could prove to be successful; that option is the clinical trial. Clinical trials can be a very helpful tool offering benefits in two ways. One, a clinical trial can provide treatment for your pet that otherwise would be quite costly. Two, it allows you (and your pet) to help advance the cause of research and improve treatments in the future. Your vet or vet specialist might know of clinical trials in your area but doing research on your own may just lead you to a great option for your pet.
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
Much like people, the preventative measures for pets are the same: Healthy diet and exercise and early detection through regular vet exams. As your pet gets older, your vet may recommend a check up twice per year in order to better care for your pet. Part of this care may include urine or blood samples that may lead to an early detection of cancer that can be successfully treated. Keep in mind that younger dogs can also get cancer, so don’t assume that your dog is not at risk if he or she is young.
The best way to protect your pet is to provide them with a healthy life-style and proper vet care, however, should you begin to notice symptoms, early detection and intervention will improve your pet’s chance of recovering and provide you and your family with more years to enjoy the companionship of your furry friend.
Sources: Pet Cancer Awareness Month & ASG Vets
