Cancer and your dog

Finding out that your furry family member has cancer is very scary and confusing. Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs, and it's all the more heartbreaking because we have little or no insight into the cause.

The National Canine Cancer Foundation estimates that one in three dogs will develop cancer. And according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 50 percent of dogs over the age of 10 will die of cancer.

Cancer is a class of diseases in which cells grow uncontrollably, invade surrounding tissue and can spread to other areas of the body. As with people, dogs can get various kinds of cancer. The disease can be localized (confined to one area, like a tumor) or generalized (spread throughout the body).

Older dogs are much more likely to develop cancer than younger ones, and certain breeds are prone to specific kinds of cancers. Boxers, Boston terriers and golden retrievers are among the breeds that most commonly develop mast cell tumors.

Be proactive and watch out for any signs that your dog may have cancer, regardless of age. Here are 10 warning signs of cancer in your dog to watch out for according to the American Veterinary Medical Association:

• Lumps and bumps -abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow.

• Sores that don't heal - or they heal, but keep recurring.

• Weight loss - especially sudden weight loss at a time when your dog is not on a diet.

• Loss of appetite - if your dog isn't really interested in food, something's wrong.

•Bleeding or discharge - from any body opening.

•Offensive odor - coming from your dog's mouth or other parts of the body.

•Difficulty eating or swallowing - your dog acts differently around the food and water bowls than usual.

•Lethargy - an obvious hesitation to exercise, or loss of stamina.

•Evidence of pain - persistent lameness or stiffness.

•Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating.

"In many cases, cancer in dogs is not a death sentence at all," said Deborah Knapp, DVM, professor of veterinary clinical sciences at Purdue University.

There are many forms of cancer that are curable.

If you find a lump anywhere on your furry friend, make an appointment for him with your veterinarian. The first step is typically a needle biopsy, which removes a very small amount of tissue for a sample. Radiographs, ultrasound, blood evaluation and other diagnostic tests may also be helpful in determining if cancer is present or if it has spread.

It may be something completely benign and Fido doesn't have cancer. But if he does, treatment options vary and depend on the type and stage of cancer. Common treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and

immunotherapy.

Success of treatment depends on the form and extent of the cancer and the aggressiveness of the therapy.

Remember that early detection is best!

What could be better than curing your furry friend's cancer? Avoiding the illness in the first place. No one has done any clinical trials or statistical studies that prove you can prevent cancer in at-risk dogs. But according to Stacey Hershman, DVM, a holistic veterinarian in Rockland County, New York, "Common sense and clinical experience make a strong case for avoiding anything that exposes an animal to known carcinogens or weakens the immune system."

Just like humans, dogs can live longer, healthier lives when they eat the right foods, get enough exercise, breathe clean air, drink clean water, and stay away from harmful

substances.