You can acknowledge Pet Cancer Awareness Month by sharing articles like these and staying knowledgeable.
Not only is November Pet Diabetes Month and Adopt a Senior Dog Month, but it’s Pet Cancer Awareness Month as well. Pets, just like people, experience the devastating effects of cancer. For this reason, it’s vital to keep your pets healthy, consistently bring them into our office for regular appointments, and monitor what they eat (and how much) along with making sure they exercise often. Today we’re going to discuss the signs and symptoms of cancer in pets, diagnosis, and talk about various treatments.
Signs and Symptoms
Some signs and symptoms are easy to detect while others are not. Signs and symptoms of cancer in dogs and cats can vary depending on many factors, but there are a few common signs, which include:
- Lumps and bumps under the skin
- Abnormal odors coming from the mouth, ears, or other body parts
- Abnormal Eye, Mouth, Ears, or Rectum Discharge
- Abdominal swelling
- Wounds or Sores That Won’t Heal
- Sudden Weight loss
- Change in Appetite
- Coughing or trouble breathing
- Lethargy
- Frequent or Inappropriate Urination
- Bleeding
Diagnosis
Only a veterinarian can diagnose a pet with cancer. For this reason, it’s crucial that pet parents bring their fur babies to wellness exams. During these exams, veterinarians can check for signs of cancer. Some ways to detect canine and feline cancer are complete exams, bloodwork, a urinalysis, radiographs, cytology (examining cells under a microscope), and biopsy.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the type of cancer your pet has. We provide chemotherapy to pets along with other services, including surgical tumor removal. We also provide your pets with medication that can help control the pain and any other symptoms caused by the cancer along with hospice care services.
Common Cancer Types in Pet/How to Acknowledge Pet Cancer Awareness Month
We treat these types of cancer in pets and more:
- Transitional Cell Carcinoma (Bladder Cancer)
- Lymphoma (cancer in the lymph nodes)
- Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer)
- Mast Cell Tumor
- Fibrosarcoma (cancer of the soft tissues)
- Hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the blood vessel walls; impacts the spleen and heart)
You can acknowledge Pet Cancer Awareness Month by sharing articles like these and staying knowledgeable. As you share facts about Pet Cancer Awareness month, make sure to use the hashtag #PetCancerAwarenessMonth or #PetCancerAwareness. If your pet is experiencing these signs or symptoms, schedule an appointment with one of our licensed and compassionate veterinarians today!
Here at Mount Carmel Animal Hospital, We’ll Treat Your Pets Like Family!
Mount Carmel Animal Hospital has been serving the Northern Baltimore/Southern York community for over 30 years and is proud to be an independently operated, small animal practice committed to excellence in veterinary medicine and client service. From grooming to wellness services, along with Canine Life Skills Training Courses, and surgical procedures, we have the expertise that will best serve the needs of you and your pet. Contact us at 410-343-0200 and follow us on Facebook!