Feed Me by Liviana Prola

Feed Me, new from Phaidon Books, offers 80 recipes for home-cooked meals for dogs.

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Canine Cancer – What You Can Do To Protect Your Dog

Cancer is an unfortunate reality that many people with dogs must face. The scary truth is, the disease is quite common in pups. The Flint Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University projects one in four dogs will experience the disease. Dog cancer is a serious issue facing all dog lovers.

In simple terms, cancer is a disease where some of the body’s cells divide without stopping and spread into surrounding areas of the body. Cancers can form solid tumors, which are masses of tissue. The tumors are malignant and can invade nearby tissue, or spread throughout the body, traveling via blood.

Cancer is equally life-threatening to both dogs and humans. That’s why it is important to learn about the disease and monitor your dog’s health.

Signs and Symptoms of Canine Cancers

The Flint Animal Cancer Center found that cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs, with as much as 50% of pups dying from the disease. Similar to humans, early detection is important so treatment can get started before the cancer has a chance to spread throughout the body. Keep in mind possible signs of cancer don’t immediately indicate cancer, but they’re definitely a reason to get to the vet:

• Collapsing – If your dog is weak, lethargic, or frequently collapsing, make an appointment to see the doctor immediately. “I see this particularly in large breed dogs—even if they fall down and seem better the next day, bring them in because it could signal a tumor of the spleen,” Dr. Jake Zaidel, DVM, of Malta Animal Hospital told Reader’s Digest.
• Unusual lumps and bumps – Cancer can cause tumors to build inside your pup’s body. Abnormal lumps or swellings that persist or grow are a symptom of cancer and should be checked out.
• Abnormal discharges – Bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea, or having any other types of unusual discharge are signs something is amiss. Ask your doctor for their input.
• Weight loss/lack of appetite – If your pup was once a voracious eater and suddenly isn’t hungry and starts to shed pounds, it could be a sign of illness.
• Trouble breathing, urinating, defecating, eating or swallowing – When common daily behaviors become a struggle, it could be a symptom of the disease.
• Pain – Watch to see if your dog becomes more sensitive to touch. Your pup might also limp (although this can be a signal of arthritic issues or joint or muscle diseases) when playing, walking, or running.

Common Types of Dog Cancer

Cancer is most prevalent in senior dogs. The American Kennel Club’s Canine Health Foundation estimates one-third of dogs over seven will experience cancer in their life. Cancer comes in all types like carcinoma, sarcoma, melanoma, lymphoma, and leukemia. It can occur at any age, to purebreds or mixed breeds.

According to the American Animal Hospital Association, these are the six more common types of cancer in dogs:

• Lymphoma. This cancer occurs in cells in the lymph nodes or bone marrow. It is most often diagnosed in dogs 6 to 9 years old. It affects the dog’s immune system and can spread rapidly. One of the first signs of lymphoma is often painless, swollen lymph node in the neck or behind the knees.
• Hemangiosarcoma. This is a cancer of the blood vessels. It is most commonly seen in a dog’s spleen, liver, and heart. Hemangiosarcoma is often found large breeds like German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers.
• Mast cell tumors. The first sign of this cancer is typically a lesion on the skin. Mast cell tumors are an extremely common form of cancer in older dogs and mixed breeds. It is also prevalent in Boxers, Boston terriers, Labrador retrievers, Beagles, and Schnauzers.
• Melanoma. Skin cancer is sometimes found in a dog’s nail beds, footpads, and eyes. However, the majority of these aggressive tumors start in the mouth or around the lips. One symptom of melanoma is a swollen paw, an eye that drains, or a sore close to or in the mouth.
• Osteosarcoma. This is bone cancer. It often affects large breeds between 4 and 7 years old. Some of the most commonly impacted pups are Great Danes, Irish Setters, Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and Golden Retrievers.
• Mammary cancer. The American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) says mammary tumors are more common in female dogs that are either not spayed or were spayed after two years old. A symptom of this cancer is a small nodule on or around the dog’s nipple or a painful tumor around the nipple.

Prevention

As with any type of cancer, the best way to beat it is early detection. Be mindful of changes in your dog’s behavior. If you notice abnormalities, do not wait to call your vet. Unfortunately, there aren’t clinical trials or statistical studies that prove you can prevent cancer in at-risk dogs. Stacey Hershman, DVM, a holistic housecall veterinarian told Whole Dog Journal, “But common sense and clinical experience make a strong case for avoiding anything that exposes an animal to known carcinogens or weakens the immune system.”

The best prevention is giving your dog a healthy lifestyle. Make sure your pup eats the right foods, gets enough exercise, breathes clean air, drinks clean water, and stays away from harmful substances. Poor oral hygiene has also been linked to some cancers, so be sure to keep your pup’s teeth clean.

 

The Revolutionary Way to Clean Your Dog’s Teeth They’ll Actually Love!

 

Treatment and Costs

There are many different types of cancer treatments for dogs. Some of them are:

• Surgery
• Radiotherapy
• Systemic chemotherapy
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Immunotherapy

Researchers are also developing new drugs to heal dogs. For examples, the Yale School of Medicine developed a new vaccine that may treat canine cancer. They are working with the Veterinary Cancer Center to test the vaccine on patients.

All those treatments sound expensive, right? There’s no way around it, treatment incurs a cost. We can’t provide you with a definite number, but here are some estimates provided by the National Canine Cancer Foundation. “An initial visit to confirm a cancer diagnosis can be upwards of $200. Major surgery….can start at $1,500. Chemotherapy treatments might range from $200 to $2,000. Radiation therapy can range from $2,000 to $6,000 or higher. You’ll also need to factor in additional medications that might be needed—such as pain relievers or antibiotics—which could cost another $30 to $50 per month for an indefinite period.”

Early Detection Is Key

The most important advice is this: know your dog’s regular behavior. If you notice changes or the symptoms mentioned above, it’s time to talk to the doctor. Do not delay.

The post Canine Cancer – What You Can Do To Protect Your Dog appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

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Feed Me by Liviana Prola

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Rita – 7 year old female Terrier

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Rita – 7 year old female Terrier

Rita is a 7 year old female Terrier who was a stray in a local pound. Poor girls been bred from a lot and has horrible teeth but all that will now be sorted. She’s in foster with other dogs but could be an only dog as loves her cuddles. In foster near Chelmsford Essex.

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Betty – 3 year old female Cross-Breed

Betty is a 3 year old female Cross-Breed. Betty is now ready for adoption. Hi Betty came to us a few weeks ago after we rescued her from a puppy farm. She had been thrown out because she had undergone an emergency spay when her last litter nearly killed her. She was simply no longer of use. She came to us having never lived in a home, just kept outside and brought out to make her owners money when she came into season.

Betty is around three years old. She has come out of her shell so much under the loving care of her foster mum. She is still coming to terms with house training and can have the odd accident, but this is to be expected after not being allowed inside the house for so long. Betty is very laid back and loving and we wanted her to go to a home where someone will be around for most of the day.

Betty’s teats are very low but both her vet and foster-mum say that it doesn’t seem to bother her and a nip and tuck would be purely cosmetic so she has a little dress she wears to help lift them a bit to make her walks a little easier.

Betty hasn’t lived with young children or dogs while she has been in foster, but has lived with cats and didn’t bat an eyelid. She is in foster in Newcastle.

As with all our dogs, we do like updates from time to time so we know they are doing well and are happy in their new lives.

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Stanley – 11-12 month old male American Bulldog Cross

Meet Stanley, an 11-12 month old neutered American Bulldog Cross, who’s owners have had a change in circumstances. Stanley is a sweet boy who is fine with other dogs and has had most basic training.

We are ideally looking for an owner who has some experience of large or bull breed dogs in general. Stanley will be looking for a home in a semi-rural location, with direct access to a garden, plus he could also share his home with a calm female dog.

However, he wouldn’t suit someone who works full time. He can live with children of 10 years and older (no cats please).

If you would like to adopt Stanley, please fill out a rehoming form. For questions and queries, please contact the office

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