Emeryn.com

Pets are like human, they could get into all kinds of sickness including cancer. It is a difficult moment when the vet have diagnosed your beloved 4-legged furkid with cancer. But don’t give up hope just yet, coz some cancers are curable, treatable. There are still ways to ease their pain and let them live as comfortable as possible.

Skin Cancer
- Skin cancer encompasses a broad category of tumors that includes any uncontrolled growth of cells of the skin or associated structures such as glands, hair follicles and supportive tissues (fat and connective tissue).
- It is the most commonly diagnosed cancers in pets because they are easiest to see.
- Skin cancer is more of common site for the dog and the second most common site of cancer in the cat.
- Skin cancer frequently occurs in dogs that are middle-aged to older (six to 14 years of age), although there are several types of skin cancers that occur in young animals.
*** Click here on how to detect skin cancer in dogs.***

Abdominal Cancer
- Abdominal cancers are common and can involve the spleen, liver, kidneys, and intestines. It can be hard to recognise these cancers early because the abdomen disguises swollen, cancerous orgams for a long time.
- You should be aware of any weight loss, weakness, pale gums, protracted vomiting, continual diarrhea, and/or abdominal enlargement and see your veterinarian if these signs occur.
- Being your furkid to visit the vet twice a year increases the chances of early detection if it has abdominal cancer.

Bladder Cancer
- The most common type of bladder cancer is called transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), which arises from the epithelial cells that line the bladder. However, other less frequently observed types of bladder cancer exist such as squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, or rhabdomyosarcoma.
- It has been found that Scottish Terriers develop bladder cancer 20 times more often than other breeds.
- You should be aware of these symptoms:-

• Blood in the urine
• Straining to urinate
• Increased frequency of urination with passage of small amounts of urine
• Straining while defecating
• Signs of exercise intolerance
• Difficulty breathing or coughing

Bone Cancer or Osteosarcoma
-Dog bone cancer, which is most common in large dogs, usually occurs in the ribs or in the leg bones. It usually affects older dogs or giant breed dogs but it could affect small breed dogs as well.
- in the foreleg adjacent to the wrist(carpal) joint and in the hind leg, just above the knee in the femur. When dog bone cancers occur in the legs, pets often appear lame.
- Latest research suggests that male large-breed dogs are less likely to develop bone cancer if they are not neutered.
- The treatments options are either surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. While limb amputation helps relieve pain because the bone is removed, it does not cure the cancer, which usually metastasizes to the lungs.
- Bone cancer are rare in cats.
- The breeds with the highest risk are Saint Bernard, Great Dane, Irish setter, Doberman pinscher,
rottweiler, German shepherd, and golden retriever.

Breast or Mammary Cancer
- Breast cancer is the most common cancer of female dogs. It is not as common in cats.
- Cats are less likely than dogs to get breast cancer, but when they do, 85% of them have metastatic breast cancer that spreads over the body.
- Spaying a cat or dog between 6-12 months of age could greatly reduce the risk of getting breast cancer.
- The later you spay your furkid, the higher risk of it getting breast cancer.

Feline Leukaemia
- It is a disease is a virus, not a cancer.
- Caused by a contagious virus. Feline Leukaemia(FeLV) can lead to cancer in some cats.
- FeLV is usually transmitted between infected cats when the transfer of saliva or nasal secretions is involved, for example when sharing a feeding dish. If not defeated by the animal’s immune system, the virus can be lethal.

Canine lymphoma
- Also known as lymphosarcoma.
- 3rd most common cancer in dogs.
- The cause is genetic.
- Defined by a proliferation of malignant lymphocytes within solid organs such as the lymph nodes, bone marrow, liver and spleen. The disease also may occur in the eye, skin, and gastrointestinal tract.
- Lymphosarcoma could affect feline as well.

Head and Neck Cancer
- Cancer of the mouth is common in dogs compared to cats.
- Signs to watch for are a mass on the gums, bleeding, odor, or difficulty eating. Since many swellings are malignant, early, aggressive treatment is essential.
- It may also develop inside the nose of dogs. Bleeding from the nose, breathing difficulty, or facial swelling are symptoms that may indicate cancer and should be checked by your veterinarian.

Testicular Cancer
- Also known as Cryptorchidism.
- Common occurrence in dogs especially those that have a testicle retained within the abdomen. I is rare in cats.
- Most are preventable with castration (neutering) and curable with surgery if done early in the disease process.
- Common affected breeds are Boxer, Chihuahua, Dachshun(miniature), Bulldog, Maltese, Miniature Schnauzer, Pekingese, Pomeranian, Poodle (toy and miniature), Shetland Sheepdog, Whippet,
Yorkshire Terrier.

Prostate Cancer
- Aggressive and fast growing cancer.
- Spreads to lymph nodes, lungs, and bones.
- Furkid will often have diffivulty defaecating as the prostate presses against the lower colon so that stool cannot pass.
- Furkid may walk stiffly and may have blood in the urine.