Covering Everything You Need To Know About Pet Cancer, How Pets Get Cancer, And The Month-Long Holiday That Raises Awareness About It
One of the most serious and life-threatening conditions to pets is cancer. According to Paws & Claws Pet Medical Center, cancer is the leading cause of death in cats and dogs in the U.S. They report that roughly 50% of pets die from cancer.
This is very concerning to any pet owner, which is why the entire month of November is celebrated as National Pet Cancer Awareness Month. This article will go over what cancer is, how pets can get it, how to lower their chances of getting it, and the holiday that raises awareness about it.
Disclosure & References
Full disclosure, Stay At Home Pet Services is not a medical or veterinary related institution. The information presented in this article comes from professional sources including the American Veterinary Medical Association, Paws & Claws Pet Medical Center, and VCA Animal Hospitals. The purpose of this article is to educate pet owners about pet cancers and the dangers they impose.
Cancerous cells illustration
So What Is Cancer?
According to The National Cancer Institute, cancer is defined as a genetic disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body. Cells normally go through a process called cell division where they grow & multiply in order to form new cells where the body needs them.
However, this orderly process can sometimes break down. When this happens, damaged or abnormal cells can multiply when they shouldn’t. These damaged or abnormal cells form tumors (lumps of tissue).
These tumors are either cancerous or not cancerous. Cancerous tumors will spread to nearby tissues and can travel to distant parts of the body, resulting in new tumors. Both human and pets’ bodies naturally eliminate damaged or abnormal cells before they become cancerous. However, the body’s ability to do so diminishes with age. As a result, the odds of getting cancer go up as pets and people age.
Cancer In Pets
While modern medicine has come a long way, there is still a lot about cancer that we don’t fully understand. For example, we still don’t fully understand why some people and pets get cancer in the first place.
However, there are many different factors that contribute to why a pet might develop cancer. One factor is genetics. Studies show that having a family history of cancer can make you more susceptible to developing the same type of cancer. This is because the abnormal or damaged gene was most likely passed on to the offspring.
Additionally, another factor that contributes to pets developing cancer is exposure. Exposure to harmful environmental substances, like ultraviolet rays from the sun or high radiation levels, can lead to cancer.
Many environmental chemicals can lead to cancer as well. These include things like radon, arsenic, asbestos, trichloroethylene, benzene, and vinyl chloride. For more information about chemical and environmental hazards that can cause cancer, click here.
A dog with a tumor
Preventing Cancer In Pets
As previously mentioned, there are many different factors that can contribute to cancer in pets. Many of the reasons why a pet would get cancer are not fully understood.
We do know that too much exposure to the sun or to harmful chemicals can lead to cancer. Refer to the list above of chemicals you should avoid exposing your pets to or click here for more information.
Treating Cancer
Sadly, there is no cure for cancer. However, it can usually be treated if you can catch it early enough. There are several ways of treating and removing cancerous tumors before they spread out of control.
That’s why routine veterinary checkups are so important! Having your pet examined by your veterinarian at least once a year or every six months is essential to stopping cancer before it gets out of hand. To learn more about cancer causes, prevention, and treatment, go to the National Cancer Institute website.
Looking For A Pet Sitter?
Pets need regular stimulation to stay happy and mentally healthy. If you don’t have the time to regularly stimulate your pets, then consider hiring a professional pet sitter! Here at Stay At Home Pet Services, we offer quality pet sitting services at competitive prices. We have over 10 years of experience, our sitters are certified in pet first aid & CPR, and we love all pets as if they were our own.
We are located in Cincinnati, OH and service the following areas of East Walnut Hills, Hyde Park, Mt Lookout, Oakley, Norwood, Kennedy Heights, Pleasant Ridge, Tusculum, East End, Mariemont, Fairfax, Madisonville, Mt Washington, Dillonvale, Deer Park, Silverton, Kenwood, Madeira, Indian Hill, and Anderson Township. Click here to become a client today or give us a call at 513-706-7702.