If you haven’t yet figured out what to get Great Aunt Mable, who has 17 dogs and every possible thing related to them, the AKC is bailing you out this Christmas. Here, straight from The Dog Lady’s mailbag, is all the news about a new canine bladder cancer detection test, available for purchase in the AKC Shop. Continue reading Gift For The Dog Lover Who Has Everything
Tag Archives: canine cancer
Update on Holly @ Westminster
We posted last week about Holly, a Dogue de Bordeaux who was to be shown at Westminster, even though she was suffering from a relapse of her lymphoma. We are sad to report that Holly passed away one week before the show. Our deepest condolences to the Saez family on the loss of this beautiful dog.
Look for Holly at Westminster
Holly, a Dogue de Bordeaux, will be competing with her brothers Brando and Ceasar at the 134th annual Westminster Kennel Club show next week, but that’s not the real story.
Help Your Dog Fight Cancer
I have been privileged to be chosen as a reviewer for Laurie Kaplan’s book, Help Your Dog Fight Cancer: What Every Caretaker Should Know About Canine Cancer. Laurie wrote the book after watching her beautiful Siberian Husky, Bullet, die from lymphoma in 2004.
This book had to be tough to write, as it chronicles Bullet’s story through four years of valiant struggle against the disease that kills as many as half of all dogs. However, the book is an invaluable resource to those of us who never want to give up on our dogs, even when the situation seems hopeless.
Laurie answers such questions as whether or not you should have your dog tested for cancer, and what you should consider when trying to decide whether to treat the cancer or to keep your dog comfortable while the disease takes its course or to put your dog down when there’s nothing else that can be done.
The book reviews medical and surgical interventions, including the side effects you can expect to see. It also covers diets which may be beneficial, as well as other things you can do to assist your dog including supplements and alternative therapies.
Finally, Laurie explores “Pawspice”, the canine version of the wonderful Hospice program with which many of you are already familiar.
“Plus if you order now”:
Bonus #1: Especially for readers of this blog, Laurie is offering a discount on the book which you can receive by clicking here.
Bonus #2: Laurie also founded the Magic Bullet Fund which provides financial assistance to families who cannot afford their dog’s cancer treatment. 10% of proceeds from the book go towards MBF. More information can be found at their Web site.
For those of you who have fought the brave fight with your animals, I hope you will consider buying the book for a friend who is dealing with his or her dog’s cancer. And if you are in the middle of your dog’s fight, I can’t think of a better resource to help you.
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
After I posted this, I received the following e- mail from Laurie:
Bullet did not die from lymphoma – he survived lymphoma. The best prognosis for that disease is 12-18 months, and Bullet survived 4 years and 4 months after the diagnosis. The cancer never came back!
I lost my sweet boy to kidney failure when he was almost 14 years old (very old for a Siberian!)
That was 5 years and a month ago, and I still miss him so…
I apologize for the error, Laurie – thanks for the correction!
Canine Breast Cancer
As we end October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I thought this story from WEWS in Cleveland was appropriate. (No, it doesn’t involve NFL players wearing pink shoes – have you ever seen anything more ridiculous?)
Can You Help Tigger Fight Canine Cancer?
Received this information from Kathy DeRay, who is trying to save her dog, Tigger, a second time. After rescuing Tigger 3 years ago, she is now trying to help him survive liver cancer, but as you can imagine, it is quite expensive. If you can help her with even a small donation, please visit her fundraising site.
Those of you who are regular readers know I lost my Beagle mix, Molly, to lymphatic cancer many years ago, and more recently lost my Coonhound/Lab Mix, Tracy, to cancer of the jaw. In both cases, they did not respond to any of the treatments we tried, but it looks like Tigger may have a chance. Maybe if we can help Kathy raise the funds she needs, she won’t have to go through the heartbreak so many of us have experienced.
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
Tuesday’s Top Ten: Common Signs of Canine Cancer
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the following are the most common signs of cancer in a dog. Although any one of these alone may not mean that cancer is present, taken together, they can indicate a pretty convincing diagnosis.
- First is an abnormal swelling that won’t go away or that continues to grow.
- The second symptom is a sore that won’t heal, which could indicate a skin cancer.
- Third is weight loss for which you have no alternative explanation
- Fourth is loss of appetite.
- The fifth symptom to be on the lookout for is bleeding or discharge from any body opening.
- Sixth is an offensive odor.
- Seventh is difficulty eating or swallowing.
- The eighth symptom to watch for revolves around exercise. A dog who is normally very active but has recently turned into a couch potato may have a problem.
- Ninth, and somewhat related to the eighth, is lameness or stiffness.
- Tenth, and last, is if the dog has trouble with any of his normal biologic functions such as breathing or going to the bathroom.
If you’d like more information on canine cancer, check out the series beginning this week in the dog den article library.
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!