Cancer And Your Pet

The leading cause of death in cats and dogs today is cancer, and nearly a quarter of all pets will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime. Such statistics can be terrifying to pet owners. Many do what they can to prevent cancer, and, if their pet is diagnosed, seek to find ways to improve their beloved pet’s medical care and quality of life.

Borrowing from human cancer patient studies, recent research shows that a healthy lifestyle involving plenty of exercise can greatly improve a cancer patient’s prognosis and overall quality of life. The same is true for our pets.

According to leading veterinary oncologists, preserving a pet’s quality of life is wholly important. Weight management and exercise top the recommendations list. While pet owners should know there is no alternative or natural approach capable of curing cancer by itself, oncologists state that there are benefits to an active and healthy lifestyle combined with the very best conventional medicine has to offer. Also, a healthy lifestyle can be transferred from pet to owner and owner to pet, which can improve everyone’s overall quality of life.

Ten Common Signs of Cancer in Small Animals

1. Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow
2. Sores that do not heal
3. Weight loss
4. Loss of appetite
5. Bleeding or discharge
6. Offensive odor, often from the mouth
7. Difficulty eating or swallowing
8. Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina
9. Persistent lameness or stiffness
10. Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating

Source: vetcares, American Veterinary Medical Association