Top 10 warning signs of Cancer
Top 10 Warning Signs of Cancer
Cancer is the leading cause of death in cats and dogs, being aware and informed of the symptoms your furkids may show if it develops the disease can help you and your vet diagnose and treat it sooner. PetMD.com has consolidated the top 10 warning signs of cancer in dogs and cats.
Lumps and Bumps:
Not every lump or bump is necessarily cancerous, consulting your vet is the only way to be sure. If the lump persists and not resolving itself, visit the vet and he will do a biopsy to determine the bump’s contents.
Abnormal Odours:
Foul smell emitting from any of your pets’ orifices and/or body parts may be a cause for concern. Cancers of the mouth, nose, or anal areas can result in your furkids producing pungent odours.
Abnormal Discharges:
Discharges such as blood, pus, vomit, diarrhoea, and any other abnormal substance being excreted from your pet’s body should be examined by a vet immediately. Bloated or distended stomach could also be a sign of internal discharge.
Non-Healing Wounds:
Lacerations or sores that do not heal after a normal period of time on the surface of your cat or dog’s body may indicate infection, skin disease, and possibly cancer.
Weight Loss:
A sudden weight loss in cats and dogs that are not on a diet can be an indication of many diseases and illnesses. If coupled with another warning sign of cancer, you should bring your pet to a vet immediately and inform him about the symptoms observed.
Change in Appetite:
A lack of appetite in dogs and cats can indicate many things and they never stop eating without a cause. Not necessarily a sign of cancer, a decrease in appetite can indicate an oral tumour, which makes it painful and hard for your furkid to eat and swallow.
Coughing or Difficulty Breathing:
Coughing and abnormal breathing are symptoms of heart and lung diseases but it can also indicates cancer. This will most likely occur if the cancer in your pet’s body has metastasized into its lungs.
Lethargy and Depression:
Although lethargy or depression in dogs and cats can occur with any illness, it is commonly seen in cancer stricken pets. Animals with cancer tend to suffer from depression and sleep more, become less playful and be less willing to go for walks.
Changes in Bathroom Habits:
Changes in your pet’s toilet habits including difficulty and increase bathroom trips, and blood in urine or stools are potential warning signs of cancer developing in your furkid.
Evidence of Pain:
Limping or any evidence of your pet in pain when it is active, or if the pain is too great for it to be active, can be indications of cancer of the bone.
While no one sign indicates cancer, a pet showing two or more of these symptoms should be brought to the veterinarian for an examination so that it can be properly diagnosed and treated accordingly.
Original article from http://bunnyjeancook.blogspot.com
Image taken from http://wakeup-world.com/
