Since I began practice over 40 years ago the incidence of cancer in companion animals has increased dramatically.     Unfortunately, veterinarians diagnose cancer in dogs, cats, birds, ferrets and rodents on a daily basis.   Some of the  more  common cancers seen in dogs and cats are mammary tumors, skin tumors, bone tumors, squamous cell tumors,  sinus tumors, anal gland tumors, lymphosarcomas, mast cell tumors, gum tumors, hemangiosarcomas of the spleen, and testicular tumors.    Birds develop more cancer than any other species of animal on the planet.   In my opinion the increased incidence of cancer is a result of the polluted environment our pets live in and the poor quality,  mineral deficient soil we grow our crops in.   Furthermore,  the hormones, antibiotics, and parasiticides we feed our food producing live stock ends up in  the commercial dog and cat food  we give our pets.   There is little  doubt that the poor quality of our pets air, food, and water results in overstimulation of their inflammatory processes and suppresses their immune system.    To add insult to injury we then  process our commercial pet food and add more toxins in the form of coloring agents, artificial flavorings, texturizers, and preservatives.

Any time you notice a lump or swelling on your pet have it promptly checked out by your veterinarian.    Although veterinarians can often make a good guess as to whether the lump is benign or malignant he or she can never be certain without first obtaining a biopsy sample.   The biopsy may be obtained with a needle, key punch device, biopsy forceps or  by excising the whole growth or a portion with a scalpel blade.    When the biopsy is taken with a needle and syringe it is called “an aspiration biopsy”.   Although  aspiration biopsies are perhaps the most common approach to identifying malignancy  they do provide more chance for misdiagnosis because of the small size of the sample.    Any new growth should be biopsied even if it looks like a benign fatty tumor.    Benign fatty tumors (lipomas) can not be visually distinguished from malignant mast cell tumors.     At a recent oncology seminar I attended the speaker made the following very important point:   “Do not wait to see if a growth continues to grow before trying to determine whether it is malignant with a biopsy”.

Of course there are many cancer growths which can not be seen because they involve internal organs.   Cancers like hemangiosarcomas of the spleen, may get huge before they produce obvious outward symptoms.  Below are what many veterinary sources consider to be possible signs of cancer.:    weight loss for no apparent reason, loss of normal appetite, bleeding from a body opening like the nostril, a foul odor from the mouth, difficulty eating and swallowing, difficulty breathing,  non healing wounds, lameness that persists..

So what can we do to protect our pets from cancer or treat them once they are diagnosed with it .    Of course,  keeping your pets in optimal health by providing them a healthy diet, environment and life style, and plenty of exercise is the foundation for a strong immune system .   Please visit my website Doc4pets.com for details on how to choose a healthy diet.   As for a healthy environment, this would include minimal exposure to poisonous plants and  chemical toxins on the grass, in the house, and in the garage.   Radon levels in the basement should be checked.   Don’t smoke around your pet

With regard to  healthy life style,  this  should include plenty of companionship and minimal stress.    Stress do to isolation can suppress a pets immune system and make him or her more susceptible to cancer.    Exercise can be  in the form of jogging, fetching, or competitive sports  such as “fly ball”.   

Conventional treatment of pets diagnosed with cancer include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.   Alternative approaches include organic raw meat diets, liver support and detoxification,  intravenous vitamin C, antioxidants therapy, herbal  formulas, acupuncture, and immune stimulants.

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Dr. Simon is the owner of the Woodside Animal Clinic in Royal Oak, Michigan where, for 30 years, he has been treating dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, ferrets, rodents, iguanas with both conventional and alternative medicine. 

He is the author of 4 pet care books and writes a monthly column for the Mirror newspaper.

Woodside services the Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb county area including the cities of Berkley, Ferndale, Pleasant Ridge, Madison Heights, Hazel Park, Southfield, Birmingham, Troy, Warren, Clawson, Sterling Heights, and Farmington Hills.

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