November - National Pet Cancer Awareness Month

Happy Monday and Tuesday Everyone!!! :-D

So, I was browsing the internet this afternoon when I discovered that November is the official National Pet Cancer Awareness month! Did you know this? I had no clue!

Unfortunately, almost all of us (humans included) will be effected by cancer sometime during our lifetime! :-( Apparently cancer accounts for nearly 50% of all disease-related pet deaths each year and sadly one in four dogs will get cancer sometime during their lives...those are some icky numbers, huh?

Two of my cousins crossed the rainbow bridge due to cancer! My Auntie Nilla lost her chow chow, Dot in 2009 and then her brother, Wakko, passed on two years later to cancer as well!

Wasn't Wakko gorgeous? :-D I wish I could have met him!!

My Domeek's favorite childhood kitty, Biscuit, sadly passed away from cancer of the tummy. Fortunately, she lived a very long and happy life beforehand though!!! :-D

Ignore the strangulation of Biscuit, apparently she thought that cameras could steal her soul, so really didn't like her photo being taken! Hehehe!

So, the real question is: What can I do about this whole evil pet cancer thing??!

Good question! :-) Let's see...primarily, all you pet Mommas and Daddies should keep a close eye on your fur-children! If they start to act differently or strangely, that is your first clue that something isn't right! If a bump or a lump appears anywhere on their body, you should certainly get your little one to the vet to make sure it isn't something serious!

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, here are the Top 10 Early Warning Signs of Cancer!

1. Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow
2. Sores that do not heal
3. Weight loss
4. Loss of appetite
5. Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
6. Offensive odor
7. Difficulty eating or swallowing
8. Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina
9. Persistent lameness or stiffness
10. Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating

Just like with humans, getting a cancer diagnosis isn't necessarily a life sentence, luckily there are a lot of medical/veterinary groups that are working tirelessly on cancer treatments and prevention techniques!! Phew! Thank goodness!!

Two of these organizations include: the Animal Cancer Foundation, funds and develops research focused on the biologic similarity of cancer in pets and people that will expedite therapeutic and preventive benefits for both, and then The National Canine Cancer Foundation that is dedicated to eliminating Cancer as a major health issue in dogs by funding grants directly to Cancer researchers who are working to save dogs lives by finding cures, better treatments and accurate, cost effective diagnostic methods in dealing with canine Cancer. Amazing both of these groups will assist thousands of animals each year!!

Another thing that we can really do is help out and participate in events that organizations like these put on! :-D If you can't donate or buy merchandise that they create, then no worries! How about walking in one of the many marches and 5k's that they produce?! Or if you can't do that, then why not write a Facebook or blog post on how pet cancer has effected you?!

Knowledge and awareness will always be key in fighting any kind of disease, but especially a disease that will effect so many people and animals that you know!!!

With the leaps and bounds that human cancer treatment is taking, perhaps, with all of our help, we might see a cure for both pet and human cancer in our life times?!!

Have a wonderful day everyone!!! :-D Professor Goose out! ;-)