[nagdu] Article about Cancer

[Steve Johnson]

A good article I just received on another list, and it hits home after the
recent passing of my retired guide Ripley.

The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, the ACVIM Foundation
and the Chase Away K9 Cancer campaign are urging dog owners to take 10
minutes on the 14th of each month to check for cancer signs from head to
tail.

The 14th was chosen in honor of Chase, a black Labrador retriever born
September 14, 1999, who died in 2006 of nasal carcinoma. She hadn't yet
reached her seventh birthday. Chase was the inspiration for Chase Away K9
Cancer.
"One in three dogs will develop cancer," says Chase's owner, Cera Reusser.
"Early detection may affect treatment and prognosis."
According to Veterinary Practice News:
"The ACVIM encourages dog owners to keep a record of any growths, watch for
unusual behavior and schedule a follow-up exam with a veterinarian if
anything suspicious or worrisome is found."
Sources:
Veterinary Practice News August 24, 2010 

Dr. Becker's Comments: 

If you visited the Chase Away K9 Cancer website, you saw pictures of the
campaign's namesake, the beautiful black lab 'Chase.' Perhaps you read a
little of the story of this young dog lost to cancer.
There are few things as heartbreaking to a pet owner as losing a deeply
loved companion animal, especially at such an early age.
You feel cheated because his time with you was so short. And often, you feel
panic at the thought that a new pet could be ripped from you just as quickly
and unexpectedly.
Most animal lovers eventually take the plunge again, but some are never able
to get past the pain. They live in fear of growing attached to another pet.

Cancer and Its Causes
Cancer, in a nutshell, is abnormal cell growth.
A healthy immune system is able to keep this process in check. It's when the
immune system doesn't respond appropriately to abnormal cell growth that
cancer gets a foothold.
There are lots of reasons cancer develops in companion animals. Some have
yet to be discovered, others we know about or suspect, including:
.Genetics
.Environmental toxins in the water, ground and air, including cigarette
smoke .Vaccines .Too-early spaying and neutering .Processed commercial pet
foods; diets deficient in cancer-fighting nutrients .A compromised immune
system coupled with an inflammatory condition like IBD (inflammatory bowel
disease) Symptoms to Watch For To recognize signs of ill health, you must
know your pup and keep an eye out for changes in her behavior or appearance.
.Difficulty eating or swallowing
.Sores that don't heal
.Loss of appetite
.Lumps or swellings anywhere on the body .Weight loss .Bleeding or discharge
from any body opening .Changes in bowel or bladder habits .Lameness,
stiffness, or other movement difficulties .Exercise intolerance .Offensive
or unusual odor 

Make a Difference Where You Can, Starting with Your Pet's Diet As a pet
owner, you have limited control over the genes your dog or cat inherits.
However, you have the opportunity to exert a great deal of influence over
your pet's environment, the medical care she receives, and certainly her
diet. 
There is ample evidence connecting the consumption of complex carbohydrates
and accelerated tumor growth in humans. 
In dogs and cats, there is data pointing to longer cancer survival rates in
animals fed a diet high in protein and fat, and low in carbohydrates.
Cancer needs glucose to grow, and carbs are a rich source of glucose.
Cancer has no use for protein and fat, but healthy cells use both as energy
sources. Feeding companion animal cancer patients a biologically appropriate
diet - high in protein and healthy fats, with very low or no carbs --
effectively starves out cancer cells.

Perform Routine Wellness Exams
Choose the 14th or another meaningful day of each month and write reminders
on your calendar.
Check your pet from head to toe each month, not only for telltale bumps,
lumps and swellings, but also for any other signs something is wrong or just
'off' with your dog or cat's body.
If you haven't already done so, watch my video on how to perform an at-home
wellness exam on the four-legged members of your family.
This is a great way to stay on top of your pet's health and overall physical
condition on a monthly basis. The earlier any type of health concern is
noticed and addressed, the better.
Be Your Pet's Healthcare AdvocatePartner with a holistically-oriented
veterinarian whose focus is on helping you maintain your pet's good health.
Carefully consider all options for vaccinations and procedures like
sterilization and discuss your concerns with your integrative vet. 
Do the same with medications prescribed for your dog or cat. Antibiotics and
corticosteroids are vastly overprescribed in many veterinary practices
today. Both classes of drugs can devastate your pet's immune system, leaving
him without the resources his body needs to fight cancer or other serious
disease.
Talk with your holistic vet about safe parasite control for your pet.
Chemical flea and tick products should be used sparingly if at all, and with
a great deal of caution, as they carry the risk of potentially deadly side
effects.
Your holistic vet can also help you with detox agents in the event your pet
is put on a course of medication, as well as homeopathic and other natural
remedies -- for example pet probiotics -- that can be used in lieu of or in
conjunction with traditional therapeutic tools.
Learn whether your dog's breed is predisposed to cancer, and if so, what
type(s). If you suspect your pup may have cancer or you want the peace of
mind that comes with knowing she doesn't, ask your vet about the new blood
test that detects cancer in dogs. 
The earlier a problem is detected, the better your dog's chances of
survival. 

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