With the month of May in full swing, so is Pet Cancer
Awareness Month. All pets, regardless of size and breed, are at risk for
developing cancer. However, there are certain breeds of dogs that have higher
instances of the disease than others.
Certain breeds, such as Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, and
German shepherds are considered at-risk breeds and have a higher risk of
getting cancer. According to the Veterinary Cancer Society, these breeds can
have up to a 70-80 percent chance of getting cancer in their lifetime.
Of course, older dogs are more likely to develop diseases
such as cancer than younger dogs. “Just like in people, however, the earlier
that cancer is detected, the greater chance there will be of achieving
remission,” said Jaci Christensen, oncology veterinary technician at the Texas
A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.
One goal of Pet Cancer Awareness Month is to inform pet
owners of symptoms to look for in their pet. The Veterinary Cancer Society
suggests checking your pet regularly for signs such as swollen lymph nodes,
sudden weight loss, enlarged lumps, vomiting, diarrhea, and lameness. If your
pet displays any of these warning signs, consult with your veterinarian as soon
as you can.
If your veterinarian does find cancer, there are various
treatment options for most types of the disease. Once you know which type
you're fighting, the various treatment options can then be discussed with your
veterinarian.
“Cancer treatment in dogs is similar to that of humans,
including treatment options such as chemotherapy, radiation and surgery,” said
Christensen. “However, surprisingly, chemotherapy’s side effects tend to be
less severe in our pets than in humans.”
TomoTherapy, a state-of-the-art radiation therapy system, is
another treatment that is available. This precise image-guided radiation
therapy allows veterinarians to pinpoint a tumor’s size, shape, and location
seconds before radiation therapy begins.
Veterinarians stress that wellness checks every year or six
months are key to cancer prevention. To ensure the cancer is detected in time,
it is urged that pet owners take their pets to the veterinarian for blood work
and biopsies if cancer is suspected.
Learning that your beloved pet has cancer is never easy, but
discovering it early on ensures a better chance of survival and an increased
quality of life. Although May is Pet Cancer Awareness month, spread the
awareness of cancer’s prevalence amongst our four-legged friends all throughout
the year, and be sure to check for signs both at home and during your regular
visits to the veterinarian.
Courtesy of Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University.