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Mel, selected from Natural Solutions magazine

10 Cancer Warning Signs in Pets

posted by Mel, selected from Natural Solutions magazine Jan 15, 2009 3:00 pm
filed under: Everyday Pet Care, Pets, , , , ,
10 Cancer Warning Signs in Pets
30 comments

By Gordon Jameson, Natural Solutions magazine

When the vet told me Max, our 11-year-old golden retriever, had advanced bone cancer, I was shocked. According to Donald D. Dodge, DVM, at the Jasper Animal Hospital in Lafayette, Colorado, my reaction isn’t unusual. “In my experience, symptoms tend to show up too late,” he says. You might see signs in retrospect, says Dodge, but at the time you didn’t think anything of them.

Here are some red flags to watch out for, says Steven Withrow, DVM, director of the Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo.:

1. Sudden weight loss.
2. Unusual swelling or growths.
3. Wounds that do not heal.
4. Disinterest in food.
5. Abnormal bleeding or discharge.
6. Foul odor.
7. Trouble swallowing or breathing.
8. Persistent stiffness or lameness.
9. Struggling to urinate or defecate.
10. Loss of stamina or lethargy.

If you notice anything suspect, head to your vet for an exam and blood work, relatively inexpensive tests that may reveal internal imbalances indicating cancer growth. “The four most dangerous words in veterinary medicine are, ‘Let’s just watch it,’” Withrow says. And these simple tests could be the difference between five more great years and five hard months for your best buddy.

You can also minimize the risk of certain cancers, says Dodge, by spaying or neutering your pets when they’re young, limiting their exposure to hazardous pesticides in food and on lawns, and making sure they get enough exercise.

Natural Solutions: Vibrant Health, Balanced Living offers its readers the latest news on health conditions, herbs and supplements, natural beauty products, healing foods and conscious living. Click here for a free sample issue.

30 comments

30 comments

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30 comments add your comment
Adriamarie A.

Thank you to all who have contacted me about Our 7month old Golden, Her Name was Carmel Cappachino. I too thought that was very young for Cancer and I did investigate more into the Breed and kinda common, and losing her as a Puppy was really sad-And what I didn't mention was she didnt act like she was pain either as She was so eager to Please Us with unconditional Love and that was more sad then anything, As Dogs really do have feelings but they do over please too. I just Love My Dogs and they are Family and I would do anything for them, so this time around I really did my homework on the Breeds I own and I am always educating Myself daily about them and I love his Care2 page and Thank all of You for being so kind. I hope to meet lots of Nice Pet People and learn more.

Adriamarie A.

We had a 7 month old Golden, She was Our Babie. And I noticed one day she was limping around, Took her to Vet. They did a bone test and found out she had Bone cancer at 7 months old, she was a Puppy, then it spread quickly and We had to put her down, it was the saddest day of Our lifes and I still remember, as We stayed with her till the end. Please if You notice something different in You pet, Get to a Vet. We now have a Beautiful Black Lab & 3 Lhaso Apso's and All are Perfect.

Irene M.

Sally,I am deeply sorry to hear the sad news of your loss of your loving companion,and friend Shadow. I too lost two of my beautiful cats to cancer,and it is so difficult to come to terms with losing them. Shadow's pictures are beautiful. I hope the lovely memories you have of her are a great comfort to you.

Irene.

Sally D.

I lost my dear little Shadow to cancer on 9th March 2005 and my heart broke into a million pieces. I still love and miss Shadow every minute of everyday. Shadow was twelve years and eight months old. The first symptom Shadow developed was a slight difficulty with breathing, exhibiting a few mouth breathing episodes. I took Shadow to the vet and all the necessary x-rays were carried out. The news was extremely upsetting when I was told that Shadow had tumours heammoraging in her chest cavity and that it was very advanced. I was informed that Shadow had three weeks to live. Shadow managed two weeks, and was still relaxed and not in any pain, in fact she was still eating right up to the day I had to have Shadow put to sleep on my lap. I noticed that when she started to walk her back leg gave way momentarily, and I knew this was because of lack of oxygen to the extremities and would only get worse. If I had left it any longer, Shadow could have passed away gasping for breath. I could not let her suffer, so I had Shadow put to sleep, before she was in any pain or discomfort. I always take comfort in the fact that Shadow was given as long as possible, but without getting to the stage where she would have been distressed or in pain. Shadow survived 2 out of the 3 weeks that the vet had given her. Also, Shadow breathed her last earthly breath on my lap, in her own home with me telling her how much I loved her. I will love & miss Shadow forever.
Sally Dix
United Ki

Vickee Moore

Can anyone tell me what excessive grooming (to the point of baldness) in a cat means? We have 3 that do it on a yearly basis....no fleas, parasites or anything. Just really excessive grooming. One does it till she bleeds.And only late summer till mid winter,

Joyce Malone

As an animal lover who lost her beloved Boston Terrier the same year I lost my hubby I appreciate the warnings and the comments here.We need to check our pets over daily especially if they are outside alot!They depend on us to keep them safe and healthy!

Jilly D.

We lost our dog Baby (10 years old) to cancer. No matter how they go its like a part of you has been ripped out. I'm so sorry you about your loss but thank you for giving this information to other pet lovers.

Tamara P.

Many of our pets are eating tainted food. Animal experimentation labs rid themselves of the animals that they have killed (due to various horrid experiments) by contracting with rendering facilities.

Roseann M.

Thanks for this list of warning signs. I will remember this for my current cat gang. Would have probably helped me way back when my cat was sick and I was told he probably had sinusitis. It was cancer and I lost him 3 months later.

Wanda P.

Sorry, for typo error, Thank you for information.

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