{"id":5913,"date":"2021-04-07T15:10:35","date_gmt":"2021-04-07T15:10:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aercmn.com\/?p=5913"},"modified":"2021-04-07T15:10:35","modified_gmt":"2021-04-07T15:10:35","slug":"early-detection-of-cancer-in-dogs-and-cats-five-things-pet-owners-can-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/early-detection-of-cancer-in-dogs-and-cats-five-things-pet-owners-can-do\/","title":{"rendered":"Early Detection of Cancer in Dogs and Cats: 5 Things Pet Owners Can Do"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"microscope,<\/p>\n

Cancer affects\u00a0<\/span><\/span>approximately six<\/span><\/span>\u00a0million pets every year.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0This disease is caused by uncontrolled cell growth<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0and since there are many di<\/span><\/span>stinct<\/span><\/span>\u00a0types of cells in the body, there are many\u00a0<\/span><\/span>different types<\/span><\/span>\u00a0of cancer. The behavior\u00a0<\/span><\/span>of the cancer\u00a0<\/span><\/span>in the body, recommended treatments, and prognosis all depend on the type of cancer<\/span><\/span>,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>so getting an exact diagnosis is vital to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>determine<\/span><\/span>\u00a0the next steps.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0The best chance for a successful cancer treatment\u00a0<\/span><\/span>though\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is\u00a0<\/span><\/span>early detection<\/span><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>So<\/span><\/span>\u00a0what can pet owners do to help\u00a0<\/span><\/span>find a<\/span><\/span>\u00a0pet\u2019s cancer? Start with these five things:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"lump,<\/p>\n

1. Have All Masses Sampled<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Sometimes cancer can show up as a lump or bump\u00a0<\/span><\/span>that owners might notice at home \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>on a pet\u2019s skin, in the mouth, or even on the toes. These masses can be benign or cancerous<\/span><\/span>,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>but\u00a0<\/span><\/span>there\u2019s<\/span><\/span>\u00a0only one way to know! Your family veterinarian must test them. While certain types of tumors\u00a0<\/span><\/span>may look similar<\/span><\/span>, no veterinarian (not even a board-certified veterinary oncologist) can tell\u00a0<\/span><\/span>if a<\/span><\/span>\u00a0mass is\u00a0<\/span><\/span>cancerous\u00a0<\/span><\/span>just by feeling it. If you or your family\u00a0<\/span><\/span>veterinarian find any new masses on your pet, they should always be sampled.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

How a Mass is Tested:<\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n
    \n
  1. Your family veterinarian will do a\u00a0<\/span>fine needle\u00a0<\/span><\/i>aspirate<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span>A<\/span>\u00a0small needle (typically the size used for\u00a0<\/span>drawing blood<\/span>) is inserted into the mass to obtain some cells.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. That sample is put onto a microscope slide so\u00a0<\/span>your family vet can look at them under a microscope<\/span>. If\u00a0<\/span>that<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>examination leads your vet to think the mass\u00a0<\/span>could be cancerous,\u00a0<\/span>he or she<\/span>\u00a0may recommend sending the sample to a board-certified veterinary pathologist for\u00a0<\/span>review<\/span>.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. If the small sample<\/span>\u00a0of cells<\/span>\u00a0is not enough to\u00a0<\/span>provide<\/span>\u00a0a firm<\/span>\u00a0diagnosis, a\u00a0<\/span>biopsy<\/span>\u00a0may be recommended. Biopsies are typically done under heavy\u00a0<\/span>sedation<\/span>\u00a0or general anesthesia.\u00a0<\/span>A<\/span>\u00a0small piece of the mass\u00a0<\/span>is<\/span>\u00a0removed and s<\/span>ent<\/span>\u00a0to a pathologist.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \"cat,<\/p>\n

    2. Maintain\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Regular\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Veterinary Appointments\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

    An especially important<\/span><\/span>\u00a0part of early cancer detection in your pet is regular examinations with your family veterinarian. There are several parts of a veterinary exam that can\u00a0<\/span><\/span>reveal<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>problems before\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a pet<\/span><\/span>\u00a0show<\/span><\/span>s<\/span><\/span>\u00a0any symptoms at home<\/span><\/span>, including<\/span><\/span>\u00a0lymph node<\/span><\/span>\u00a0and<\/span><\/span>\u00a0abdom<\/span><\/span>inal palpation<\/span><\/span>, the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>unpleasant<\/span><\/span>\u00a0rectal exam,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a<\/span><\/span>nd a thorough oral exam. Annual exams are usually recommended for younger, healthy pets while older pets should be seen every six months or even m<\/span><\/span>ore\u00a0<\/span><\/span>frequently<\/span><\/span>\u00a0if recommended by your family veterinarian.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \"bloodwork,<\/p>\n

    3. Approve\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Routine\u00a0<\/span>Labwork<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

    Labwork<\/span>\u00a0can also help detect cancer early and should be done regularly for all middle-aged and senior pets. Routine\u00a0<\/span>labwork<\/span>\u00a0for most pets typically include<\/span>s<\/span>:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n