May is Pet Cancer Awareness Month. While the topic of cancer can often be overwhelming for pet owners, open discussion surrounding the disease (and how best to handle a diagnosis) helps everyone in the pet community to give the best quality of life to their pets, regardless of their status.
Cancer in our pets is similar to human cancer in many ways. Just like humans, the cause of pet cancers is largely unknown. There are many different types of the disease that can affect pets and their cause can’t always be traced back to one factor.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, approximately 1 in 4 dogs will develop a specific type of cancer called neoplasia at some time in their life. After age 10, nearly half of dogs will develop any type of cancer.
The statistics for felines and the frequency of developing cancer is not as well-known, but some specific cancers, like lymphoma, more commonly affect cats.
Because cancer in dogs and cats is common, especially as pets age, keeping up with your pet’s annual wellness exams will increase the chances of early detection.
Many cancers are treatable if they are caught early and studies are constantly underway to help find cures. Today’s veterinary research has helped keep pets healthier for longer and detect issues earlier.
It is important for pet parents to be knowledgeable of the proper precautions to help decrease the chances of a pet developing pet cancer. In addition to taking your pet in for annual wellness exams, it’s best to always be aware of possible symptoms. Here are some warning signs related to pet cancers that you can look out for:
As a pet owner, you can also learn more about common cancers that affect your pets in order to better equip yourself with the knowledge of what to look for, any methods of prevention (such as spaying and neutering), and how each cancer is treated.
If you have any questions or concerns related to pet cancers, don’t hesitate to ask! The staff at GVAH is more than happy to assist you. You may stop in, call our office, or send us an email at info@gvahstg.wpengine.com.
