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| What is Cancer? |
| Cancer is an
uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells on or within the body. Cancer may
be benign or malignant. It may be localized or it may invade adjacent
tissue and spread throughout the body. |
| Common Types of Cancer in Pets |
 Skin
- Skin tumors are very common in older dogs, but much less common in
cats. Most skin tumors in cats are malignant, but in dogs they are
often benign.
Breast
- 50% of all breast tumors in dogs and greater than 85% of all breast
tumors in cats are malignant. Spaying your female pet
between and
12 months of age will greatly reduce the risk of breast
cancer.
Head & Neck
- Cancer of the mouth is common in dogs and less common in cats.Signs
to watch for are a mass on the gums, bleeding, odor, or difficulty
eating. Since many swellings are malignant, early, aggressive treatment
is essential.
Lymphoma
- Lymphoma is a common form of cancer in dogs and cats. It is
characterized by enlargement of one or many lymph nodes in the body. A
contagious feline leukemia virus can be the cause of lymphoma in some
cats.
Feline Leukemia Complex
- The feline leukemia virus is contagious among cats and will
occasionally cause different types of cancer. It is not contagious to
humans. While a great deal of research is ongoing,no consistently
effective treatment is presently available for virus-positive cats.
Testicles
- Testicular tumors are rare in cats and common in dogs,
especially those with retained testes. Most of these cancers are
preventable with castration (neutering) and curable with surgery if
done early in the disease process.
Abdominal Tumors
- Tumors inside the abdomen are common but it is difficult to make an
early diagnosis. Weight loss or abdominal enlargement are signs of
these tumors.
Bone
- Bone
tumors are most often seen in large breed dogs and rarely in cats. The
leg bones, near joints, are the most common sites. Persistent
pain,lameness,and swelling in the affected area are common symptoms of
the disease. |
| First Sign of Cancer in Cat |
Abnormal
swellings that persist or continue to grow.
Sores
that do not heal.
Weight loss.
Loss of
appetite.
Bleeding or
discharge from any body opening.
Offensive
odor.
Difficulty
eating or swallowing.
Hesitation
to exercise or loss of stamina.
Persistent
lameness or stiffness.
Difficulty
breathing, urinating, or defecating. |
| Tips To Avoid Cancer |
Make
annual
medical checkups. Geriatric animals should be checked at least twice a
year. (For small animals, or those who get especially nervous and
anxious before and during trips to the vet, it is wonderful if you can
find a veterinarian who makes home visits.)
Keep
your animal on a well-balanced, nutritious diet.
Try
not to needlessly alter your animal’s routines.
Changes can bring on stress. Try to feed and walk at regularly
scheduled times.
Before
bringing in a new pet, consider your older pet’s
reactions. Many older dogs and cats enjoy younger ones, while some do
not. You can create misery, and possibly even illness, if you force a
new roommate on a set-in-her-ways animal.
Keep
your pets clean. They like it, and they feel nicer to your touch.
Touch
your animals regularly to establish closeness and to
detect any early lumps or abnormalities. This is an important part of
the human-animal bond.
Keep
the water dish washed and full of clean water.
Play
with your animals on a regular basis. It’s good for both of
you. |
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| Useful
Information |
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| Super Fast Fact |
Cat's
Claws Sharp
Most cats pull in their claws while
walking on rough ground.This helps keeps the claws sharp.
How
Long Cat Pregnant
A female cat will be pregnant for
approximately 9 weeks or between 62 and 65 days from conception to
delivery.
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