Diet is the Foundation of Cancer Prevention for Pets

The rate of cancer in our animal companions is alarming.

With about 50 percent of dogs and 25 percent of cats facing a cancer diagnosis, recognizing the signs that cancer may be present in your pet is the first step in helping combat this deadly disease.

Here are 10 early warning signs of cancer, which warrant a visit to your veterinarian:

1. Any new swelling, lump or bump, which persists or continues to grow.
2. A change in size, shape or consistency of an existing lump.
3. Bleeding or discharge from any body orifice.
4. Difficulty urinating, bloody urine (also very common with urinary tract infections).
5. Vomiting, diarrhea (common with many diseases, but symptoms lasting more that 24 hours should be investigated).
6. Persistent limping, change in gait.
7. Loss of appetite and weight loss.
8. Foul breath, excessive drooling, teeth that have moved.
9. Drainage and odor from ears (also very common with ear infections).
10. Lethargy and lack of interest in activity and exercise.

When the diagnosis is cancer, loving pet guardians need to know there are options for treatment — both traditional veterinary medicine and complementary therapies. Some traditional treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy. Complementary therapies can be used on their own or in conjunction with traditional treatments. These include nutrition therapy, massage therapy, acupuncture and chiropractic, to name a few.

Prevention

It is important for pet guardians to know what steps they can take to minimize the cancer risk in their companions. There are no guarantees when it comes to the prevention of cancer, but there are some steps you can take to keep your pet as healthy and happy as possible:

• Feed a high-quality pet food—Feeding a fresh, unprocessed, raw food diet is an excellent choice. There also are high-quality kibble diets available containing low-glycemic ingredients.
• Avoid carcinogens—Be conscious of the types of household cleaners, pesticides and fertilizers you use around the house. After using these cleaners, your pets may walk on them and could inadvertently ingest them when they lick their feet. As with humans, secondhand smoke is unhealthy for your pets.
• Contact www.WeAreTheCure.org for the available blood test called VDI-TKcanine+ to assess if cancer might be present when no other symptoms are prevalent.
• Follow a lifestyle or diet that modifies cancer-causing factors. Remember, diet remains the foundation of controllable prevention.

Risk Factors

Cancer is becoming as common in domestic animals as it is in humans. The same risk factors apply:

• Poor quality/improper diet resulting in a suppressed immune system.
• Stress.
• Genetics.
• Exposure to chemical or physical carcinogens, such as household cleaners, pesticides, herbicides and secondhand smoke.

For more information, call (480) 218-5415, or visit Pet Planet, located at 2910 N. Power Road, Suite 103, in the Bashas’ Plaza.