Did you know that the number one natural cause of death in older pets is cancer?
Dogs are twice as likely as humans to develop leukemia, four times more likely to suffer from breast cancer, eight times more likely to develop bone cancer, and an incredible 35 times more at risk for skin cancer.
About six million dogs are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Dogs have 35 times as much skin cancer as do humans, 4 times as many breast tumors, 8 times as much bone cancer, and twice as high an incidence of leukemia. Cancer is the number one killer of dogs over the age of two.
How can you detect cancer early enough to treat it?
1. Change of bowel or bladder habits: Diarrhea or constipation, straining to urinate or defecate, blood or mucous in the stool or urine.
2. A sore that does not heal: Some skin cancers don't appear as lumps, but as raw, bleeding or scabby areas.
3. Unusual bleeding or discharge: Bleeding from the mouth, ears, or nose may signal a tumor inside.
4. Drooling or difficulty swallowing: Very common with tumors in the mouth or throat.
5. Changes in respiration: Nagging cough, hoarseness, tiring easily, rapid breathing or excessive panting, all are signs of heart and lung disease.
6. Abdominal distension or filling: A mass in the abdominal cavity may make your pet appear to be bloated or to have gained weight. This is especially worrisome if your pet looks thin otherwise.
7. Unexplained weight loss.
8. Changes in behavior, temperament, activity level or habit
What options do people have for their pet?
Traditional approach to cancer therapy is amputation, resection, irradiation, thermal destruction, and chemical therapies.
Using a Holistic Approach to Treating Cats or Dogs with Cancer
Many animals respond very well to conventional therapies but the related side effects, long term prognosis, quality of life and other health issues all need to be considered when looking at treatment options.
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