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National Pet Cancer Awareness Month is observed in November. More pets are diagnosed with cancer each year, but there are advances being made in animal healthcare when it comes to early detection and treatment. Educate yourself on the signs of cancer and what the treatment options are.
Pet cancer facts
- Cancer is the number one cause of death in senior pets and one of the most expensive diseases to treat.*
- One in four dogs will develop cancer sometime in their lifetime.
- One in five cats will develop cancer sometime in their lifetime.
- Did you know: Dogs get cancer at about the same rate as humans.
- The good news: Treatment options such as chemotherapy and high-tech surgeries can help your pet beat cancer.
The average cost of cancer treatment**:
- Cancer diagnosis – $1,500
- CT, MRI, or Ultrasound scans – $2,500-$3,000
- Chemotherapy treatments – $200-$5,000 (depending on the number of sessions needed)
- Radiation therapy – $2,000-$6,000
- Surgery – $1,500
What you can do
Signs of cancer to look for:
- Sores that don’t heal
- Loss of weight or appetite
- Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
- Offensive odors
- Persistent lameness or stiffness
- Growths/tumors
Ways to prevent cancer or catch it early:
- Don’t skip your annual or bi-annual wellness veterinary check-ups
- Keep your pet at a healthy weight
- Spay or neuter your pet
- Feed your pet natural, high-quality food
The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical diagnosis, condition, or treatment options.
The Healthy Paws plan covers cancer treatment as long as it’s not a pre-existing condition. Find out more about pet insurance, and start by getting a free quote. Bonus: Each quote means a donation is made to pets in need.
*https://www.avma.org/News/JAVMANews/Pages/110615b.aspx
**https://m.petmd.com/dog/conditions/cancer/what-do-when-your-dog-diagnosed-cancer-treatment-prognosis-and-aftercare
