It is never too late to learn the warning signs of pet cancer. Cancer is not strictly a “human” condition. As the No. 1 disease-related killer of dogs and cats, cancer claims millions of pets each year.
The importance of annual check-ups regardless of the age of your pet is critical in the prevention of cancer. Here are the top 10 early warning signs of pet cancer listed out by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
- Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow
- Sores that do not heal
- Weight loss
- 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
Steps to Avoid Cancer in Your Pet
Keeping your pet active with a healthy weight and on a high quality diet will prevent some forms of cancer. Obesity is a major cause of cancer in pets. Having your pet spayed or neutered may also decrease the chance of various reproductive cancers.
