Pet Cancer Awareness Month
November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month. This topic hits close to home…in fact it’s in our home right now with Grommie. Spreading the awareness and educating people can be so powerful. You never know if this information may save someone’s beloved pet.
Just like us, our pets can get cancer too. The good news is we can do things to help either prevent or recognise early detection and manage cancer in our pets.
Cancer in pets can be caused by a number of circumstances such as genetics and environmental factors. Even certain breeds of dogs can be more susceptible to different types cancers.
Without saying older dogs are more prone to developing cancer however do not underestimate that just because you have a young dog it won’t happen. Unfortunately any dog and at any age can develop cancer. After all cancer doesn’t discriminate. According to the Veterinary Cancer Society, “One in four dogs will be diagnosed with cancer, and it’s the leading cause of death in pets who are beyond middle age”.
Even though, hearing the diagnosis of Grommie with hemangiosarcoma of the spleen was so painful and heartbreaking, at least we were able to put things in place quickly to manage her cancer and give her time to live her best life. Something that many owners of pets with this particular cancer unfortunately don’t have due to its invasive and quick nature.
I can honestly and whole heartedly say if I hadn’t advocated and requested for a routine blood test for Grommie due to her age earlier this year I don’t know if she would still be here with us (and snoring across the room while I write this). Getting that blood test saved her life – no doubt about it.
So know your pet’s health. Do your research and talk to you veterinarian about your pets. Whatever you do don’t skip your routine check up every six months or at least once a year.
It was our choice to decide to go down the holistic approach with addressing Grommie. It’s about treating the dog in front of you not just the condition. There are a number of integrative veterinarians out there and highly recommending talking to them about your pet’s health.
It’s hard to pin point exact signs and symptoms of pet cancer because there are a number of different cancers that can be caused by other reasons. However some of the commons ones include:
Lumps and bumps or even discoloured skin
Abdominal swelling
Persistent diarrhea or vomiting
Wounds that aren’t healing
Weight loss
Appetite loss
Bleeding or discharge from the mouth or other orifices
Unusual odor (especially from the breath)
Difficulty eating or swallowing
Not interested in exercise, lethargic
Lameness or stiffness
Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating
As a pet parent it’s a good idea to be familiar of the different types of cancers and the signs and symptoms they present. Also researching your breed can be helpful as mentioned before as they can be more predisposed to certain conditions and cancers. At least you will have a head start of what to look out for.
Something to do that is free - check over your dog or pet regularly for any lumps, bumps or anything abnormal. This is also a great way to bond with your dog. Be mindful if your pet doesn’t like being touched. Plus in the warmer months it doubles up for checking for ticks too.
I’ve bet you have all heard the saying, “You are what you eat”. This shouldn’t come as a shock but this applies to our pets too. What you feed them does matter. Food is medicine after all. Having a high quality diet for your pet is crucial to help their health. It can help them in the long run.
There are many great food companies nowadays so make sure you do your research and due diligence when feeding your pet. There are plenty of dog nutritionists that can suggest the right food for your dog. It would really surprise and disturb you what gets on the shelf and marked as pet food. They often cause more harm than good.
Not only finding the right food for your pet but also adding beneficial herbs and supplements that are full of nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants. They are fantastic in helping your pets immune system and support overall health.
We are big advocates of using essential oils. Not only for their amazing physical and emotional support but also for reducing toxins in the home. It’s so easy to swap out for more environmentally and pet friendly cleaning products. So be aware of the harsh cleaning chemicals and what they might be doing to you and your pet’s health. This also includes outdoor pesticides and herbicides in the garden.
Stress can impact your pet’s health majorly and we knew this would be important to manage with Grommie. So we used a number of different methods including essential oils but we also started our concept training. This positive way of training has definitely helped with a number of areas that caused stress with her and us. It’s been a game changer.
You are your dogs and pets advocate. They don’t have a voice so you need to use yours to make the right choices for them. So if you get anything from this please go get your pet checked. If you don’t remember the last time you visited the vet this is a sign to pick up your phone and book it in now.
You can’t buy back time. Going through this with Grommie is a roller coaster of emotions but knowing that there are some things that are in our control can make all the difference. We feel so blessed that we were able to get onto things so early and have this time with her. Every day is a miracle. So start now and create a better life for your pet.
So please share this, it’s all about educating and bringing the awareness of pet cancer. Start the conversation. Save a life.
If you are looking for ways to reduce stress levels in the home or want ways to manage your dog’s wellbeing naturally book into our free Bark-n-Chat
*We always suggest consulting with your veterinarian to discuss options when considering making changes to your dog’s lifestyle including diet.
