animal Living pawsitive!
15 of
™
wellness For a long, healthy life!
warning signs
cancer
Which fish is to eat?
safe
First-aid & CPR Tips every guardian should know
How to build an
animal-friendly
pond
JUN./JUL. 2006
"Boo Boo Zoo"
Display until July 20, 2006
$5.95 USA/Canada
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3
Why animals flock to Maui's
www.AnimalWellnessMagazine.com
animal wellness
contents 18
88
features 18 Why learning
first-aid and CPR for your animal is a smart move Making health and safety a priority can save your companion's life
23 Traveling by air?
Do your homework before taking your furry friend along
animal wellness
52
34 Four common
cancers in dogs and cats Which forms of this disease most frequently affect our animals?
42
Acupressure can help protect your feline friend from cancer Enhance kitty's well being with this ancient healing art
45 12 tips for living
with cancer in your animal companion How to make life easier for both of you
52 It's off to work we go...
with our animal companions!
79
Click on this icon to visit featured links
60 Feeding fish to
your dog or cat? Here's what you need to know
68 Canine
College Cruise A doggone good time!
79 Creating an
73 Eat, drink and wag your tail
animal-friendly pond
Documentary film focuses on nutrition
76 The Kitty
Grass story How one entrepreneur is helping cats and her community
A garden feature your whole family can enjoy
88 Maui's "Boo Boo Zoo"
Inspired by love, this island refuge cares for injured and orphaned animals
ONTARIO REGIONAL SECTION
animal wellness
Illustration: www.bungalowart.com
Part one of a two-part series on cancer
cancers dogs cats Four common
P
by Shawn Messonnier, DVM
in
and
Patricia assumed she was just unlucky when both her dogs were diagnosed with cancer in the same year. But the fact is, cancer is becoming increasingly common in our companion animals. While it’s often viewed as a disease of older animals, we are also seeing it in younger individuals, even those under one year of age.
34
animal wellness
15 warning signs of cancer The following symptoms can indicate cancer, although they can also be associated with other diseases. In general, if any of these signs persist despite what seems to be appropriate therapy, cancer should be ruled out with diagnostic testing before switching to different therapies. 1. Lumps and bumps, especially new ones, those that that grow quickly, that change color or bleed easily, and those that appear, disappear or decrease in size, and then reappear or enlarge 2. Skin sores or irritated areas 3. Red spots on the skin, gums, or mucous membranes 4. Wounds that do not heal 5. Weight loss or gain 6. Lack of appetite or decreased appetite 7. Abdominal enlargement or pot-bellied appearance 8. Weakness or exercise intolerance 9. Excessive panting or heavy breathing 10. Collapse 11. Pale gums or mucous membranes 12. Bad breath 13. Bleeding or chronic discharge from wounds or any body orifice 14. Change in bowel habits (chronic diarrhea, vomiting, or both) 15. Change in urinary habits (blood in the urine or urinary incontinence)
What causes cancer?
How does cancer happen?
People often ask, “Why does my animal have cancer? Did I do anything to cause it and could I have prevented it?” In most cases, the exact cause is not known, but sometimes we can determine the triggering factor. For example, cats infected with certain viruses (leukemia, FIV, and sarcoma), can develop cancer as a result. Chemicals such as the herbicide 2,4-D cause increased cancers in animals. Breed can also play a role. Scottish terriers are more likely to develop bladder cancer, while large dogs are more often affected with bone, liver, and splenic cancers than smaller ones. Unspayed or unneutered animals are more likely to develop some cancers than those that are altered.
Simply stated, cancer is caused by mutations in the genes of certain susceptible cells. These genetic mutations, usually caused by inflammation or excessive oxidation, convert normal cells into “cancer” cells that start dividing and growing uncontrollably, pushing their way into surrounding tissues. While most cells are programmed to live for only a specified period of time, this is not always true of cancer cells. Studies have shown that a gene called Apaf-1 which causes cell death (a normal aging change called apoptosis) is inactivated in cancer, allowing the cells to live, reproduce, spread, and eventually kill the patient. If the immune system is healthy, the animal wellness
35