posted by Tess on Jan 31
Recent studies reveal that the food that you feed to your pets has a significant role to play in the development and progress of cancer in dogs as well as feline cancer .
You should feed animal proteins to the dog and avoid proteins sourced from grain and plants. Plant based protein causes more harm than good even to healthy dogs. If your dog is suffering from cancer, plant protein can promote the growth of cancer cells rather than restrict it. Feeding raw meat is a better option as commercial foods may not be prepared properly. Raw beef, chicken, turkey, fish, lamb, goat and pork are natural foods for dogs and they supply the necessary proteins and fats that help in strengthening the immune system.
Some foods like sugar, for example, may actually promote development of cancer in dogs. Pets get energy from fats and proteins. The carbohydrates derived from grains provide no benefit to them. Grain is broken down in sugar, which in turn causes a multitude of problems including yeast infection, allergic dermatitis, stomach upsets and cancer. For a dog suffering from cancer all carbohydrates should be sourced from foods that have a minimal effect on blood sugar levels.
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posted by Tess on Jan 26
Symptoms and signs of cancer in pets and humans depend largely upon the organ or the tissue that has developed cancer cells. For example, the symptoms of liver cancer in dogs and cats are far removed from the symptoms of oral cancer. Cats with cancer of the digestive system will show signs of vomiting, diarrhea and anorexia while a lump in the peripheral skin indicates lymph cancer.
Some cancers are highly progressive and spread very fast. The first tool in your hands is to educate yourself and be aware of all the symptoms properly. Timely approach to treatment is the only way to prolong and make life comfortable for your cat.
Cats should be groomed regularly. Stroking and petting all over the body serves two purposes - it lets you know of any abnormal changes that might be occurring in your cat’s body and it helps in building an emotional bond between you and your cat.
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posted by Tess on Jan 24
While a serous nasal discharge may only be a sign of infection caused by bacteria or viruses, a mucoid, purulent or bloody nasal discharge can be indicative of nasal cancer in dogs . Young puppies and kittens must be checked for a cleft palette if they are discharging milk from their nasal passages.
The nasal cavity in dogs is a complex structure consisting of nostrils that open up in two air passages that are lined with scrolled spongy bones called turbinates. A clear serous discharge coming out from both the nostrils may also be caused by the presence of small mites but mucoid and purulent discharges need to be investigated since they can be signs of any of the following:
* Foreign matters such as grasses or weeds that may have enter the nose while sniffing.
* Dental infections, especially in the roots of upper teeth.
* Fungal infection.
* Nasal cancer.
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posted by Tess on Jan 23
Breast cancer constitutes almost all of glandular feline cancers and up to 80 to 96% of all malignant tumors in cats. It is also the third most common form of cancer in cats after lymphoid and skin cancers. Although breast cancer in cats is not breed specific, Siamese and Japanese breeds are more vulnerable than others. Obesity too seems to be a high risk factor. Spayed cats, however, carry a significantly reduced risk of developing mammary tumors.
Mammary tumors may either be floating or attached to the skin or the underlying muscles and are commonly found in the front set of mammary glands. Swelling, pain or infection in the glands and fever are among the most common symptoms that may indicate prevalence of mammary tumors.
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posted by Tess on Jan 22
Although an uncommon occurrence, brain tumor is a relatively more common form of cancer in dogs than feline cancer . A head injury may result in accumulation of fluid in the brain or a cranial fracture - both of which may cause brain damage. Although both the conditions can be treated medically irrespective of whether it is a typical case or a severe instance, a brain surgery is required to relieve the pressure on the brain.
Brain tumors, however, are believed to have a genetic predisposition as they occur mostly in young cats. Brain tumors may be primary, occurring in the brain itself, or secondary, as extensions due to metastasis of a malignant growth in the nasal passage, skull or ear cavity and pituitary gland tumors.
Like all cancers, brain tumors too do not show early symptoms. However, unlike the symptoms of liver cancer in dogs and cats that are non-specific some of the symptoms of a brain tumor are specific and some of them are even indicative of exactly where the tumor is located.
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posted by Tess on Jan 20
Small dogs often suffer from episodic bouts of colitis that is actually inflammation of the colon of the large intestine. It is, however, imperative to keep a watch and report to a specialist if:
* There are frequent recurrences.
* The symptoms are deteriorating.
* The dog shows signs of a general illness.
Monitoring is of prime importance because the symptoms of colitis are almost similar to the symptoms of colon cancer in dogs . Colitis may be acute, episodic or chronic and the signs often last for two to three weeks. The type of predominant cells present in the inflamed colon is used to describe the specific disorders.
* Bacteria, fungus, viruses or parasites.
* Intolerance to diet.(allergies)
* Inappropriate diet.
* Cancer.
* Internal or external injury.
Acute conditions normally do not present any signs of systemic illness but in chronic cases the dog may experience a significant weight loss. General symptoms of colon cancer that are similar to those of colitis include:
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posted by Tess on Jan 18
The spleen in the body is the storehouse of blood. It also functions as an organ for destroying old red blood cells and holding blood for emergencies. It is an important part of the body’s immune system. Located just below the stomach, in emergencies such as a hemorrhage, it springs into action to provide blood for replenishing the loss. Even though life can be normal without a spleen, its absence, however, predisposes infections.
The spleen constitutes of a red soft surface containing two different types of pulp - white and red. While the red pulp functions as a mechanical filter removing unwanted substances from the blood, the white pulp helps to fight infections.
A growth in the spleen signifies abnormality and the presence of cancer cells needs to be investigated. A growth leading from the red pulp is usually a rare malignant neoplasm characterized by rapidly proliferating anaplastic cells known as hemagiosarcoma. It is derived from blood vessels lining blood-filled spaces. Growths arising from the white pulp are either mast cell tumors or a lymposarcoma, which is the more common type of feline cancer rather than canine cancer. Two third of all spleen tumors signify cancer in dogs . Again about two third of all malignancy in spleen arises from the red pulp causing hemagiosarcoma.
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posted by Tess on Jan 17
Swamp cancer is a relatively uncommon form of infection in dogs, horses, cats and humans. It is caused by a fungal infection known as phycomycosis due to pathogens that are present in stagnant water molds and fungi. The most common form of the disease is pythiosis that invades the body by contact and/or consumption of infected water. Although more common in dogs and horses, it can potentially occur in cats, cattle and even humans.
The most likely cause is the invasion of Pythium insidiosum. The organism needs stagnant water to reproduce and thrive. It can affect dogs swimming in swampy water or drinking contaminated water and also those coming in contact with grass that has been exposed to stagnant water. The organism, present in water molds, enters into wounds in the skin or the gastrointestinal tract. Gradually the disease grows in the stomach and small intestines and leads to symptoms similar to the symptoms of liver cancer in dogs and gastrointestinal cancer.
* Vomiting.
* Diarrhea.
* Lethargy.
* Loss in weight.
* A lump of mass in the abdomen.
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posted by Tess on Jan 16
In recent times there has been a significant rise in the incidence of cancer in dogs, as well as feline cancer . The main culprit seems to be the manner in which we have treated our environment and the lifestyle of convenience that we have adopted. We look for readymade quick solutions for everything - for ourselves and for the pets we bring home. Home cooked food seems to have become a thing of the past. Commercial foods containing harmful preservatives and coloring agents are becoming the order of the day with scant regard being paid to the long term effects of chemicals and toxins that go in to produce them.
We all know that cancer takes time to be detected. We also know that it usually manifests itself when it is almost impossible to cure it completely. What most of us would like to know is why it is so. The term neoplasia is used interchangeably with cancer. Neoplasia is the pathological process that results in the formation and growth of a tumor. It requires a billion cells or thirty times of dividing and multiplying before a tumor can be seen. And malignancy occurs only when these rapidly dividing cancer cells invade normal tissue.
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posted by Tess on Jan 15
Nasal tumors occur primarily in the nasal cavity and may later extend to the frontal and paranasal sinuses. Nasal tumors form a very small percentage of feline tumors and are less common than nasal cancer in dogs . They are locally invasive and do not normally spread but are almost always malignant. They are not sex specific and usually occur at a young age.
In cats there is an indication that inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the nose or one of the paranasal sinuses may be the trigger that leads to a growth in the nasal cavity. Symptoms of nasal cancer in cats can remain concealed for as long as five years till the disease presents itself as a serious threat. Unlike the symptoms of liver cancer in dogs, symptoms of nasal cancer seldom mimic symptoms of other conditions.
Nasal tumors and nasopharyngeal tumors reflect different symptoms. Nasal tumors often have a past history of nasal discharge and sneezing. Nasopharyngeal tumors on the other hand manifest as heavy breathing, often with a snoring sound and change in vocalism. Other signs include bleeding and facial deformity.
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