Thursday, April 11, 2013

Dog Cancer is On the Rise

By Geraldine Dimarco


Cancer-- is there a word that strikes more dread than this? It is a very real state that we face not only with people but also with our pets. There is still not as much information as we would like to have regarding dog cancer; but experts continue to study and find the most effective ways to deal with this disease.

Around half of all reported cases of canine cancer are of the skin, twenty percent are of the mammary glands, and the others are of the lymphatic, alimentary, reproductive, etc. Cure for the animal varies depending on his specifics like breed, age, weight, and other health related concerns. Listed here are some alternative cancer treatments for dog that will guide you in making the best decision for your pet.

Cancer is defined as the growth of abnormal tumors in specific parts of the body. Like in people, there are two kinds of tumors: benign and malignant tumors. Benign tumors are cysts that have defined edges, making it fairly simple to remove through surgery. Malignant tumors are the opposite. They spread and have blurry edges, in effect making it more dangerous and impossible to completely take out by surgery.

Radiotherapy uses focused radiation to destroy cancer cells in the bad tissues so they won?t be reproduced. The difficulty lies in making sure the correct dosage is administered so that only the damaged cells are harmed and the normal cells are spared. To do this, radiation is meted out in lower amounts intermittently. This gives the normal cells adequate time to recover whilst dealing with the cancer cells effectively.

Unlike when done with people, radiation does not give the dog harmful side effects like nausea and vomiting; primarily because of the smaller quantity used. It is estimated to prolong the life of the animal for months instead of just weeks as previously believed. Hyperthermia, another treatment done to kill cancer cells through the employment of high temperature, is used alongside radiation.

Drug therapy is used for chemotherapy. These drugs interrupt the growth of cancer cells and prevent it from further spreading. Chemotherapy is frequently utilized for the more extensive dog cancer forms. The drug dosage must be carefully monitored because the levels of toxicity cause severe infection and may induce heart and bladder complications.

More veterinarians are also supporting the use of herbal supplements to prevent and cure canine diseases. Flaxseed oil and fish oil are two powerful anti-tumor remedies that not only help in the energy, appearance and performance of the animal?it has been said to reduce tumor size by about fifty percent.

Before you undertake any form of alternative cancer treatments for dog - it is imperative that you consult your vet first for correct diagnosis of the problem. Observe for behavioral and physical changes in your pet. Have him tested often so that any form of sickness may be arrested in the beginning stages. Maintain a nutritional diet, regular exercise and a clean environment to ensure optimal health.




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