Cancer - it's a word that strikes fear in our hearts, both for ourselves and for our pets. Certain breeds of cats and dogs are prone to certain types of cancer, and you should make yourself aware of them for your pet's particular breed. Spaying and neutering goes a long way in avoiding cancer of the breast and reproductive organs.
But do you know the cancer warning signs you should watch for? Knowing what they are and taking action quickly can bring about a much better outcome. Here are the signs to keep an eye out for according to the ASPCA:
What Are the General Symptoms of Cancer?
* Lumps (which are not always malignant, but should always be examined by a vet)
* Swelling
* Persistent sores
* Abnormal discharge from any part of the body
* Bad breath
* Listlessness/lethargy
* Rapid, often unexplained weight loss
* Sudden lameness
* Black, tarry stools (a symptom of ulcers, which can be caused by mast cell tumors)
* Decreased or loss of appetite
* Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating
As my regular readers know, I'm always preaching about the importance of a pet's diet and avoiding the chemicals and preservatives that can cause illness. The better your pet's diet, the healthier he or she will be and betters their chances of avoiding horrible diseases like cancer.
5 comments:
Yes, I agree, diet and environment have much to do with cancer in our pets and in human lives.
I feed my dog an organic human diet of meat, veggies & fruit. (Grain products cause a rise in insulin.) She is given supplements, like probiotics, too.
My dog is fed from stainless steel bowls instead of plastic (less potential plastics in her system) and I rinse her feet every night in the shower (less potential chemicals from the outside on her feet). She never licks her feet now because I've already cleaned them for her. She is less apt to digest any toxins too.
We've lost a dog and a cat to cancer so this information is very important for everyone to know. Thank you for posting this information!
This is good information to know as my cat Mr. Bingley died of oral cancer last year. It was awful and maybe by learning things can be different for others.
Yes, diet is the key. I have two goldens, 12 and 13, and they are a cancer prone breed. I started using "natural" health care long before it was in the mainstream. No shots past the first year, only titers, a human grade diet with fresh meats, veggies and fruits, etc. I have been blessed to have them with me for such a long time with no medical problems.
Thanks for sharing the cancer warning signs. It is very important we do not ignore them.
The big C word make us shiver. Brr...rrr...
Luv
Snowball
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