Canine cancer is on the rise and Fur The Brand is not backing down in our fight against it! According to the National Cancer Institute, 1.9 MILLION Americans will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in 2021. To put things into perspective, another 6 MILLION dogs will be diagnosed with cancer this year. Understanding canine cancer is something that we are dedicated to so that we can continue to equip pet owners with the information needed to change this narrative.
Canine cancer occurs in the body when there is an abnormal growth of damaged cells. As with any human cancer, canine cancer can take many forms and be found in a dog's skin, blood, bones, body tissues or organs. As pet parents, recognizing how environmental and lifestyle choices impacts canine cancer is CRITICAL in preventing this awful disease hitting your home. There are many choices we can make as owners to protect our dogs and reduce their risk. Fur The Brand encourages optimal nutrition, exercise, and minimizing stress and toxic cleaning/lawn product exposure in your dog's environment.
Understanding canine cancer and the warning signs is SO important because our pets are unable to tell us when they’re experiencing pain. Kinda crappy, huh? This is also why it's so important to ensure that you're making all routine veterinarian appointments so that you can stay ahead of any potential issues. Especially as your pet ages, always make sure that your Veterinarian is conducting all bloodwork, testing, and imaging. It's always better to be on the safe side.
With canine cancer on the rise, the most common types of cases that veterinarians see are lymphoma (up to 24% of all new canine cancers are lymphoma); osteosarcoma (most common primary bone tumor which accounts for 85% of all skeletal tumors and are quite aggressive); mast cell tumors (most common skin tumors in dogs) and oral melanomas in dogs (most commonly occur on the skin, in the mouth and on the toenails). (Veterinary Cancer Society)
Hearing the words cancer from your Vet is frightening but, rest assured, most cases are treatable as long as you catch it and intervene as soon as possible. Early detection truly saves lives! Never ignore unusual behavior or symptoms and always keep record of any symptoms that your pet may be displaying. We suggest keeping a notebook, or digital note, to track any behaviors/signs that you may notice so that you can always share with your Vet!
Fur The Brand remains dedicated to saving lives through awareness, prevention, and our financial assistance program for those unable to afford the cost of treatment. Please share this post with your fellow pet parents!