November is Cancer Awareness Month

 Just like humans, pets should get regular wellness exams to monitor their health.  Feeding your pet a healthy diet and providing regular exercise will help reduce the risk of cancer. Spaying or neutering your pet may also reduce the risk for developing certain cancer.  This disease accounts for almost half of the deaths of pets over 10 years of age, and early diagnosis is key to successful treatment.

Here are 10 warning signs that may help you to detect cancer in your pet courtesy of Colorado State University.

1. Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow

     Pet your pet! This is the best way to find lumps, bumps or swellings that could be anywhere on the body.

2. Sores that do not heal

     Non-healing sores can be a sign of infection or cancer.

 3. Weight loss

     If your pet is not on a diet but is losing weight, illness could be to blame.

4. Loss of appetite

     It is not normal for pets to lose their appetite. This may be a sign of illness.

5. Bleeding or discharge from any body opening

     Bleeding can occur for numerous reasons - most of which are abnormal. Vomiting and diarrhea are considered to be discharge as well.

6. Offensive odor

     This is a common sign especially for tumors in the mouth, nose or anus.

7. Difficulty eating or swallowing

     This is a common sign of cancers of the mouth and neck region.

8. Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina

     This can be one of the first signs that your pet is not feeling well.

9. Persistent lameness

     There could be many causes of lameness including nerve, muscle or bone cancer. There are benign causes

of lameness but a physical exam is needed to determine the cause.

10. Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating

 It can be difficult to diagnose cancer and you know your pet better than anyone else.  Get in the habit of checking your pet over on a monthly basis.  If  you find anything suspicious, please do not hesitate to contact us. If something is not right, we want to know about it.