by KC DeRemer
May is Pet Cancer Awareness month, but as many of us know all too well, cancer knows no seasons and has taken too many of our dear friends far too soon. In fact, our Troutdale veterinarian notes that cancers are the leading cause of death for dogs over the age of 2, with 1 of 4 dogs developing a tumor at some point. And while cats may not get cancer as frequently as dogs, cancer in cats is usually more aggressive and harder to treat. So our Troutdale pet wellness program includes cancer vigilance!
A Troutdale Pet Wellness Program to Prevent Cancer
When your pet meets with our Troutdale veterinarian, we will develop a pet wellness program that helps to reduce the chances of your pet getting cancer; or at least helps us detect it more quickly if it should develop. And while each plan is specifically-tailored to your pet’s breed and individual needs, there are some common threads for all pets:
Spay and Neuter Surgeries -- Some of the most common and dangerous cancers pets contract are cancers of the reproductive organs. During spay and neuter surgery, our Troutdale veterinarian removes these cancer dangers almost entirely; on average, an altered pet can live about 40% longer, with fewer health problems, than his or her unfixed friends!
Pet Dental Care -- Oral lesions and tumors can go undetected without regular pet dental care, but our Troutdale pet wellness program ensures your pet enjoys healthy, happy teeth, and that we catch and treat any oral tumors quickly before they require help from our Troutdale emergency veterinarian.
Routine Testing -- At each checkup, we run a battery of diagnostic tests to catch a host of health problems, including common cancers. This screening increases with the pet’s age because a pet’s cancer risks increase with age.
Our Troutdale emergency veterinarian urges you to watch out for any of these potential cancer symptoms: abnormal swelling, lumps, lesions, bleeding from any orifice, lethargy, lameness, unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite, breathing problems, or foul odors.
What questions do you have about cancer in pets?