Oct 25, 2023
Observed throughout the month of November by pet lovers, National Pet Cancer Awareness Month is an ideal time to show extra love and support to those pets that are affected by cancer. The month is also an ideal time to spread awareness about ways to prevent and treat cancer in our four-legged companions.
In this article, we will have a close look at critical information that all pet parents should be aware of including ways to reduce the risk of cancer, common types of cancer in pets and how to take care of pets who are suffering from cancer.
Cancer in animals is not a new phenomenon. It has been found out that even dinosaurs were affected with cancer over seven million years ago. Even in ancient civilizations that existed thousands of years ago, both humans and animals suffered from cancer.
The first National Pet Cancer Awareness Month was observed in 2005. The special month was established to increase awareness and raise money to fight cancer in animals.
If your pet lives in a household with smokers, it is risky for them. According to reports, the risk of cancer increases when pets get exposed to environmental tobacco. Keeping your home smoke-free is the safest thing you can do for your four-legged pal.
According to studies, obesity is one of the contributing factors to cancer. Therefore, you must offer your pet a balanced and nutritious diet to minimize the risk of cancer.
Not many people know that certain breeds of cats and dogs are more prone to cancer than others. You can conduct proper research on the common diseases that your pet’s breed is likely to get so as to include necessary precautions.
Make sure to take your pet for regular veterinary checkups. A vet will perform a complete physical checkup and detect abnormalities, if any. It will also help them establish a baseline that can be used for comparisons at a later date.
Long-term exposure to sunlight can increase the risk of certain types of cancers. Thus as a pet parent, you should avoid exposing your furry babies to sunlight, especially when it is the strongest at midday.
According to studies, adding vegetables to your pet’s diet may reduce the risk of cancer. Broccoli, celery, green beans, cauliflower, lettuce and carrots are good for animals, especially dogs.
You should make sure to keep your pets away from lawn chemicals as increased exposure to lawn chemicals increases the risk of cancer.
Regular exercise will keep your pet mentally and physically active and stimulated. It will reduce the risk of health problems including cancer.
Similar to humans, some of the common types of cancers that can be found in animals include breast cancer, skin cancer, bone cancer, oral cancer, connective tissue cancers and lymphatic tissue cancers.
When you find out that your pet is suffering from cancer, you should immediately get a veterinary oncologist on board. If you’re confused about the choices presented to you, you may get a second opinion from a certified medical professional.
While your pet is going through cancer treatment programs, the vet will prescribe treatments for various reasons. If the animal is undergoing chemotherapy, it will be prescribed drugs that are meant to destroy cancer cells. If surgery is involved, the vet will prescribe drugs to control postoperative pain. If the cancer leads to pain, treatments to control the pain will be prescribed. Other treatments that the vet will possibly offer include the ones to decrease the side effects of chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Certain cancer-related pain can be acute. To assess the level of your pet’s pain, you will need to notice behavioral changes that are associated with the pain.
Besides treatment, a healthy diet is essential for an animal suffering from cancer. If you do not understand the dietary requirements of your pet in such cases, get in touch with your vet for complete guidance.
Wrapping Up
Since our furry babies are not able to communicate how they are feeling, it is our responsibility to stay watchful. We should be even more careful when it comes to senior pets and take them for annual veterinary checkups. Screening tests including physical examinations, ultrasounds and blood tests can help us make aware of life-threatening diseases in our pets.
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