Pet Cancer Awareness

In honor of my cat Cal-Cal I wanted to post a blog regarding Pet Cancer Awareness.  Ironically, this month is Pet Cancer Awareness month and the month that my sweet kitty lost his battle with cancer.  It was an awful time where we watched Cal start out with a swelling hip to a large sore that would not heal.  I encourage everyone to watch your pets for the signs of cancer and to also give to this charity so that maybe someday there will be a way to prevent this disease from shortening a wonderful pet's life...

Early Pet Cancer Warning Signs, As Identified By The Veterinary Cancer Society.       Persistent, abnormal swelling       Sores that do not heal       Loss of weight       Loss of appetite       Bleeding or discharge from any body opening       Offensive odor       Difficulty eating or swallowing       Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina       Persistent lameness or stiffness       Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating If your pet has any of these early warning signs, visit your veterinarian as soon as possible for a complete examination. What Causes Pet Cancer? Genetics Due to improper breeding practices certain breeds of dogs are genetically prone to canine cancer including:       Golden Retrievers       Labrador Retrievers       Rottweilers       Bernese Mountain Dogs       Boxers When choosing a dog or a cat, question the breeder as to the incidence of canine or feline cancer in the line. And always avoid animals that have been "mass" bred in puppy and kitten farms or "mills". Over-Vaccination It has been clinically proven that over-vaccinations can actually weaken your pet's immune system, setting the stage for pet cancer. Sadly, cats can now suffer from a specific type of feline cancer named "Vaccine Induced Fibro Sarcoma." It develops at the vaccine site on your pet's skin as a direct side effect of over-vaccination. While initial puppy and kitten vaccinations are required and necessary, try to avoid automatically vaccinating every year. Speak with your veterinarian about spreading out the vaccinations and inoculate only those for diseases that are prevalent in your geographical area. It's also a good idea to check your pet's immunity with a blood titer test before vaccinating. If your veterinarian is not familiar with a lab that does titer testing, suggest that he or she contact Antech Diagnostics for titer testing information (800-872-1001). You may also want to confer with a holistic veterinarian who is knowledgeable in minimizing the potential side effects of vaccines after they are given. Environmental And Food Toxins Do a "Toxic Screening" of your household and environment. Exposure to chemicals in the environment and even small daily doses of chemical additives and preservatives in their food can build up and be carcinogenic. That’s why it’s important to take a serious look at the products you have around your house, get rid of the toxic ones, and substitute safer products. A variety of reports from the EPA, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the California Department of Fish and Game confirm the hazards of environmental and household toxins including lawn fertilizers, detergents, and cleaners. These all have warning labels relative to children and pets, and many veterinarians see a link between environmental toxins and pet cancer. Please visit http://petcancerawareness.org/home.aspx for more information and to donate to help find a cure for this awful disease.