May is designated as Pet Cancer Awareness Month, and it’s a great time to become educated about canine cancer, and how to recognize early warning signs that could save your dog’s life.
Cancer is the leading cause of death among dogs over the age of 2 years, and about half of dogs over the age of 10 will develop cancer in their lifetime. These two facts alone are scarey, so let’s focus on the positive! About 50 percent of cancers in dogs are curable with treatment which may include, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or holistic therapy; and approximately 25 percent of other cancers can be controlled with treatment to help extend and improve your dog’s quality of life. That’s a whole lot of lives saved and prolonged!
Vigilance is necessary on a continual basis, not just in May! Early detection and treatment are extremely important when it comes to successfully treating cancer, so become familiar with the early warning signs of cancer in pets. If your pet exhibits any of these signs, please have them evaluated by your veterinarian.
