We Can Be Serious About Serious Issues…Pet Cancer

  Posted on May 3, 2010  by Joy of Living  No comments

Bo  and Jessie here! While most of the time we take jabs at each other and goof around on this blog, we want to say that we know when to step up to the plate and maintain an attitude of serious decorum.  This month, we are focusing on cancer in pets – with an emphasis on pet exams and signs to watch for in your cat or dog.  We love all animals, and we trust that our humans love us as much as we love them…enough to make sure we have regular pet exams and to tune into any behavioral changes that might mean something is not quite right with us.

Did you know that cancer accounts for nearly half of the deaths of pets over 10 years of age?  Dogs actually get cancer at the same rate as humans.  Cats’ rate of incidence in cancer is fewer, however.

Neoplasia is an uncontrolled and abnormal growth of cells or tissues within the body.  These can be benign or malignant.  Benign neoplasms are not aggressive nor do they attack surrounding tissues.  Malignant neoplasms grow quickly, spreading to other areas of the body.

The most common types of neoplasia in pets are in the skin, the breasts, the head and the neck, the lymph nodes, the testicles, the abdominal region, and the bones.

Our blog posts this month will serve to educate our readers on the signs and symptoms to look for in your pet.  As with any health issue, the sooner it is tackled, the better your pet’s health success will be.

We know you might miss our humorous attitudes this month, but we are serious about this issue and want you, as pet owners, to be fully aware.  After all, if your pet is loved as much as Karen loves us, then we know you want only the best for him or her!

(We have gathered and will continue to gather our information from the American Veterinary Medical Association.)