Have you wondered lately why it seems that cancer is on the rise among our canine counterparts? I had no idea how prevalent cancer was in dogs until my Rottweiler, Guinness was diagnosed at 6 years old. I first noticed Guinness was limping after we returned from a long hike in the woods, so I thought maybe she had pulled a muscle or simply overdid it. I kept an eye on her symptoms for almost two weeks before I called the vet to get an x-ray. We waited and waited for the vet to bring Guinness back out to us in the waiting room and then we were escorted to a private exam room where we received the devastating news that Guinness had Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) and it had already metastasized to her lungs. The vet estimated she had 4 to 6 months and advised against amputation and chemo. We were told to make the best of the upcoming months and manage the pain. And pain there was... Guinness did her best to hide the pain she was feeling. That was evident given she was obviously suffering for a number of months prior to diagnosis before showing any symptoms at all, but towards the end the pain began to be too much for any of us to handle. We explored many holistic avenues including acupuncture which she loved and boosted her immune system, chiropractic to help her stay in alignment due to shifting her weight to compensate for
35 times more likely to develop skin cancer 4 times more likely to develop breast tumors 8 times more likely to develop bone cancer by Dee Broton 2 times more likely to develop leukemia Giant breeds such as Rottweilers, Boxers, Great Danes, and Mastiffs are prone to Osteosarcoma, while dogs with white fur are more susceptible to carcinomas on the skin. Unspayed females are 7 times more likely to develop mammary tumors, which is one good reason to spay your female dog before she has her first heat. On the other hand, studies show that the chance of developing Osteosarcoma in a male Rottweiler who is neutered younger than one year quadruples and her limp, herbs to manage the the chance of a female Rottweiler pain, high protein/low carb raw who is spayed younger than one diet, massages in the evenings, year triples. and lots of TLC. According to the Guinness was diagnosed University of Illinois College of on September 20th and passed Veterinary Medicine, dogs have on January 15th. She fought like a much higher rate of developing a champion and left this world nasal cancer than humans do. with dignity. It’s no surprise given they explore Did you know that 1 in 4 their world through their nose. dogs will die of cancer? That’s Think of all the toxic pesticides an outrageous number! The and herbicides they come in Golden Retriever is the breed contact with outside and the most likely to develop cancer. synthetic chemicals in carpets, According to Texas A&M College paint, and furniture inside. of Veterinary Medicine, dogs are To get back to my original susceptible to most of the same question... I believe that cancer cancers we are and in some in dogs is on the rise for many cases dogs are many times more reasons. Dogs all too often likely than we are to develop the eat poor diets, very different following:
MARCI™
Canine Cancer on the Rise
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Spring 2010