Hundreds of thousands of people die from cancer every year. According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 1.7 million men and women died from cancer in 2013 alone. While this number may be depressing, every year is filled with nearly just as many if not more cancer survivors.
The Reno Bark for Life is a one of a kind cancer walk available to people and dogs of all shapes and sizes. Whether you or someone you know has been affected by cancer, or you would like to donate to the cause in support of those facing a battle you haven’t experienced, Dog Gone Amazing invites you to the event.
While money raised through the Reno Bark for Life event benefits research for human-specific cancers, as a pet owner it is important to understand that cancer affects thousands of our furry friends every year as well. In fact, according to PetMD.com, cancer is the No. 1 disease-related cause of animal deaths. Luckily pets display signs of cancer just like humans. Seeing as the Bark for Life event is just around the corner, we decided to highlight some of the most common cancer signs in pets.
Lumps and bumps. Although not all lumps on or under the skin are cancerous, they should be closely watched. If your dog has a bump that is growing rapidly or doesn’t heal itself after several weeks, a visit to the vet is most definitely in order.
Similar to bumps that won’t go away, wounds that cease to heal over an extended period of time are another reason to check with your veterinarian. Most cuts or scratches that come from regular outdoor activity should heal within a couple of weeks. If your dogs wound discharges any type of irregular fluid, their cut may be infected; however, abnormal discharge is another warning of the threat of cancer.
Unfortunately, cancer signs are not always so evident. Therefore, paying attention to changes in appetites or behavior (such as lethargy, depression or evident signs of pain) cause reasonable concern and warrant a visit to the pet doc. Although there are a plethora of common and completely curable diseases that cause these symptoms, it is always better to be safe than sorry regarding your furry friend’s health.
These are just a few of the many signs of cancer in animals. Should you have any concerns about your dog’s health, visit your veterinarian immediately. The pack at Dog Gone Amazing hopes that you will come support the annual Reno Bark for Life event on May 4 at the Sparks Marina in support of the American Cancer Society. We’ll see you there!