Cancer, being a disease, is not limited to just humans. Its indiscriminate and unbiased behavior takes its toll on almost all the species. Our beloved pets are not exempted from the fears of animal cancer either. While dogs show twice as many cases of animal cancer than humans, cats on the other hand only show half as many cases as humans do.
Despite being indiscriminate, cancer is more often witnessed in older pets and is, as a matter of fact, the leading cause of over 50% deaths of pet cats and dogs. If you believe or even have the slightest doubt that your pet may have cancer, the first thing you need to do is to rush your pet to a vet and get them fully checked. The sooner it is discovered, the more your pet has the chances to live.Since cancer can only be medically diagnosed and is very difficult to be discovered otherwise, especially in pets because they can’t explain their pain or show where they are hurting, here are a few common symptoms that you need to keep an out for.
• Persistent abnormal swellings
• Sores that don’t heal
• Loss of appetite and weight
• Bleeding from any orifices
• Difficulty in swallowing or eating
• Difficulty in urinating or defecating
• Persistent heavy breathing
• Hesitation to exercise
• Awful stench
If you happen to witness any of these symptoms, you must take your pet to the vet right away, get the correct tests carried out and get your pet diagnosed. These tests may include x-rays – which gives a clear view of tumors, abnormal tissue mass and bone degradation; blood tests and, ultrasonically. However, to ascertain that the symptoms are of animal cancer, a biopsy must be carried out to assess the type and seriousness of the cancer.
The treatment of animal cancer is quite as same as it is for humans. The treatment methods generally include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, cryosurgery, hypothermia, etc. The approach of treatment will depend on the type of cancer it is, its severity, the breed and size of the animal, and finally on you as its owner.
As far as side effects are concerned, surgery, although being the most invasive approach of treatment, has the least side effects and is the easiest to recover from. The pets are able to go back to their old way of living in a very short period of time, except for when the surgery involves amputation. Chemotherapy has the same side effects on animals just as humans with nausea, vomiting, reluctant eating behaviors and lethargy. Your pet may also develop a fever in which case you must rush it to the vet as it can be terminal.
It must also be mentioned that complete riddance of animal cancer in your pets is not possible and it is merely a method of remission. This means that the cancer might eventually come back again. It must be discussed among family members as to decide what to do regarding the whole situation. If the treatment seems to be not working or if your pet feels discomfort or while being treated, it is your vet’s ethical responsibility to inform you about any such misfortunes.
Keep in mind that although your pets may enjoy their extended lives and may not realize that they are on borrowed time, if the disease happens to return, you and your pet will have to go through all of it over again. It’s a difficult decision to make and can only be made with love. For more information visit here: CVS Angel Care
• Persistent abnormal swellings
• Sores that don’t heal
• Loss of appetite and weight
• Bleeding from any orifices
• Difficulty in swallowing or eating
• Difficulty in urinating or defecating
• Persistent heavy breathing
• Hesitation to exercise
• Awful stench
If you happen to witness any of these symptoms, you must take your pet to the vet right away, get the correct tests carried out and get your pet diagnosed. These tests may include x-rays – which gives a clear view of tumors, abnormal tissue mass and bone degradation; blood tests and, ultrasonically. However, to ascertain that the symptoms are of animal cancer, a biopsy must be carried out to assess the type and seriousness of the cancer.
The treatment of animal cancer is quite as same as it is for humans. The treatment methods generally include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, cryosurgery, hypothermia, etc. The approach of treatment will depend on the type of cancer it is, its severity, the breed and size of the animal, and finally on you as its owner.
As far as side effects are concerned, surgery, although being the most invasive approach of treatment, has the least side effects and is the easiest to recover from. The pets are able to go back to their old way of living in a very short period of time, except for when the surgery involves amputation. Chemotherapy has the same side effects on animals just as humans with nausea, vomiting, reluctant eating behaviors and lethargy. Your pet may also develop a fever in which case you must rush it to the vet as it can be terminal.
It must also be mentioned that complete riddance of animal cancer in your pets is not possible and it is merely a method of remission. This means that the cancer might eventually come back again. It must be discussed among family members as to decide what to do regarding the whole situation. If the treatment seems to be not working or if your pet feels discomfort or while being treated, it is your vet’s ethical responsibility to inform you about any such misfortunes.
Keep in mind that although your pets may enjoy their extended lives and may not realize that they are on borrowed time, if the disease happens to return, you and your pet will have to go through all of it over again. It’s a difficult decision to make and can only be made with love. For more information visit here: CVS Angel Care
