National Pet Cancer Awareness Month
Cancer is the leading disease-related cause of death for domestic dogs and cats in the U.S., so this month, spread the word to help educate pet owners about how best to protect their furry family members. Cancer in these animals continues to increase over the years, but the good news is, that there are advances being made in healthcare when it comes to early detection and treatment.
There are several different types of cancers that your cat or dog could be at risk for. These are lung cancer, lymphoma, splenic (spleen) cancer, bone or joint cancer, hepatic (liver) cancer, thoracic (chest) cancer, bladder cancer, anal sac cancer, oral cancer, and brain or spinal cord cancer. We love our pets just like we love our family, so let’s do our best to keep them healthy.
How to Observe
Use #PetCancerAwarenessMonth, or #PetCancerAwareness to post on social media. If you have a cat or dog at home, consider scheduling them a medical appointment for a checkup, get your home tested for carbon monoxide & radon, and keep your eyes open for some warning signs that your pet could have cancer.
Some of these warning signs are:
- Loss of appetite or difficulty eating
- Rapid weight loss
- Diarrhea and/or vomiting
- Loss of interest in playing or exercising
- Difficulty with stool or urination, or changes in stool frequency
- Abnormal stiffness
- Severe lethargy
- Unusually strong/foul odors
- Blood coming from the mouth or rectum
- Increased thirst and urination
- Respiratory changes
- Abnormally firm swelling
- Masses along jaw or tooth line
This month, and in the months to follow, Certified Radon will be doing its part to help educate the community about how radon levels in your home can affect your pet and the steps you can take to reduce their chances of contracting lung cancer.
