Cancer in pets is the process where normal cells in the body undergo uncontrolled growth and become abnormal, just like in humans. Cancer in pets may occur in any bodily organ and can travel from one part of the body to another distant part by the blood or lymph systems. There are more than 100 different types of cancer, each of which can be grouped into one of six major categories:
Sarcomas: Cancer that begins in tissue that connects, supports or surrounds other tissues and organs (such as muscle, bone and fibrous tissue).
Carcinomas: Cancer cells that originate in tissues that cover a body surface, line a body cavity or make up an organ.
Lymphomas: Cancer that occurs in cells that make up an important component of the immune system and protect the body's cells.
Leukemias: Cancer that occurs in the blood-forming tissues and blood cells.
Skin cancers: Cancer that originates in the skin cells; the most common in dogs being mast cell tumor.
Brain tumors: Cancer that originates in the brain cells.
Nobody knows exactly what causes cancer in cats and dogs but a number of risk factors have been identified including stress, pollution, additives and preservatives, an inadequate diet, viruses, genetic components, etc. Cancer in pets is basically the same as in any other animal, including humans.
When cancer in pets is diagnosed, a natural and common reaction is ‘What have I done wrong?' or ‘What could I have done to have prevented this from happening?' While these are entirely natural responses when we first learn that a pet has cancer, it is important to remember that in the vast majority of cases we don't know what will have lead to the development of the cancer, and therefore it would have been impossible to prevent.
Finding out that your pet has cancer is devastating. When you hear the word "malignant," it's hard to focus on anything but what it may mean for your pet. What are the treatment options? What will work? How will having cancer affect your pet’s quality of life? But before you fall apart with grief, first get pro-active. You need to find out as much as possible about your pet's condition so that you can provide him with optimum care.
Find out what type of treatments are available and consider which would be suitable for your pet's condition. In addition to conventional treatments (which are often effective although extremely harsh) there are a number of alternative treatments which have proved extremely helpful in treating cancer in pets, including our essiac tea.
All may be used on their own, or in conjunction with conventional cancer treatments as supportive therapy. Many holistic vets are increasingly aware of the benefits that natural remedies and complementary therapies can offer in the total treatment program.
The importance of boosting your pet's compromised immune system is also being recognized as essential in slowing down the spread of cancer cells to the surrounding tissue. Essiac tea is believed to help support your pet's immune system.
Your aim is to keep your pet as comfortable as possible by minimizing any pain and providing him with the best possible care. While pets are very similar biologically to humans, the chance for their surviving decades is very slim. Therapies are then directed at preserving the pet's quality of life; and tumor control, or remission, is the aim rather than cure at any cost.
How is my pet likely to respond to treatment for cancer?
For cancer in dogs and cats, expected remission times and life span, or "prognosis", is highly subjective and depends on a number of factors, the most important of which is the type of cancer diagnosed. Other factors that may influence your pet’s prognosis include:
1. The stage of the disease, which reflects the number, location, and size of tumor cells in the body.
2. Whether your pet is feeling sick or not. Loss of appetite is one of the most important symptoms.
3. The pet’s response to therapy.
4. The treatment chosen and the care given by the owner (and veterinarian).
It is difficult at this time in veterinary medicine to accurately predict the prognosis for a given individual pet because not enough is known about the specific way the above factors influence prognosis for the wide variety of cancers that occur.
In general, pets that are not feeling sick and are diagnosed early in the course of their cancers have a better chance of remission with treatment. Untreated pets with malignant cancer often live 2 months or less, but this varies greatly depending on the type of tumor. Lymphoma and osteosarcoma (bone cancer) are two common cancers in dogs. Cats often suffer from lung or liver cancer. With therapy, many dogs with cancer live 9 months to a year. Therefore, a reasonable goal is a one-year survival. Sometimes the pet will live much longer, up to two and a half years or more. Some animals are truly cured of cancer, but this depends greatly on the tumor type.
It is important to recognize that although cancer is a rarely curable disease, your pet can be treated in such a way that a high quality of life is achieved following diagnosis. Remember that one of the most important factors influencing your pet’s quality of life and remission time is your interest in and dedication to their treatment.
No comments:
Post a Comment