National Pet Cancer Awareness Month

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| Print | By | November 10, 2008 1:57 PM

Our cats and dogs live longer, healthier lives than ever before. And because of advances in diagnoses, coupled with cancer being an “old pet” disease, you may think pet cancer is on the rise. One in four pets will be diagnosed, but not all die. Actually, sophisticated treatments and owner willingness to pursue these options means more pet cancer survivors than ever before.

Part of that comes from industry initiatives raising awareness, as well as funds for research and treatment. Veterinary Pet Insurance (petinsurance.com) launced the first Pet Cancer Awareness Month in November of 2005, and every year since. This year you can purchase a Pet Cancer Awareness dog collar through the VPI website, with funds raised going to the Animal Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization which develops and supports cancer research for pets and people.

Morris Animal Foundation also has a Canine Cancer Campaign, funded by “superheroes” Pfizer and Pets Best Insurance, and many other supporters. They are dedicated to funding research to CURE cancer in dogs in the next ten to twenty years. You can go to http://curecaninecancer.org/survivor_stories.php to read stories of hope and survival, and learn how to help. This website also offers you and your vet FREE cancer consults! Maybe you have a special pet affected by cancer?

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I was in college when my folks told me Lady had died. She was a tricolor, extremely shy of strangers, but smart-as-a-whip girl who taught ME all about dog obedience. We lived in northern Indiana, and because of the winter snow, Mom saw the bloody urine right away. During the exploratory surgery that followed, the veterinarian stopped the operation to call my folks and explain the awful news. Cancer had eaten away the ureters, the connecting tubes leading from kidneys to bladder. He advised not letting Lady wake up.

Lady was eight. I never got to say goodbye.

Today things might be different. If you have a special dog or cat diagnosed with cancer, see a specialist and find out your options. Cures today are possible. And with the help of research, I hope that in 20 years cures will be the norm.

Have you had an experience with pet cancer? Please leave a comment and share your story.

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