Keep Your Pet Cancer-Free With These Simple Detection Tips

As a pet owner, you have a responsibility to ensure that your best friend remains happy and healthy well into old age. That’s why we always recommend regular pet grooming. After all, a well-groomed pet is a happy and healthy one. But there’s another reason that regular grooming just makes sense. Your groomer will be spending quality time with your furry best friend, massaging, bathing, scissoring and clipping, and we can often catch things that you might miss. What can we catch? Signs of cancer, of course. No one likes to think about their pets getting cancer, but it never hurts to pay close attention for the signs. Here are the top ten warning signs of cancer in pets that we always look for, and you should also for the longevity and life-quality of your beloved animal friend.

1. Blood or Discharge: Blood or discharge doesn’t automatically mean cancer, but something like that shouldn’t be ignored.
   
2. A Change in Urine or Defecation: If your pet is uncharacteristically messing in the house or there seems to be loose stool or blood in the urine, the same thing applies. Make an appointment with your vet right away.
   
3. Sores That Take a While to Heal: Most sores should heal up by the two week mark. If your pet’s sores remain open or festering, your pet should be checked out as soon as possible.
   
4. Not-So-Pleasant Smells: A pet groom should take care of any smells your pet may be emitting, but even the groomer can’t do anything about an internal illness. Ask your vet about any foul odors you just can’t put your finger on.
   
5. Chewing or Swallowing Problems: If your pet can’t eat very well, it could indicate a sore tooth or something more serious. Ask your vet about your pet’s suddenly abnormal eating habits.
   
6. Lack of Energy: If your usually rambunctious pet is suddenly lethargic, it could be cancer, but that’s not all it could be. It could be that your pet is just worn out. Ask your vet for answers.
   
7. No Appetite: If your pet isn’t eating at all, again, it could be cancer or it could merely indicate a troublesome stomach.
   
8. Sudden Weight Loss: If your pet is losing pounds quickly, don’t ignore the issue. Schedule an appointment with your vet right away.
   
9. Swelling or Lumps: Abnormal swelling or lumps are usually caught by your pet groomer, a person who is massaging, bathing and pampering your pet during the typical spaw day. Ask your pet groomer if he or she notices anything about your pet should know about.
   
10. Stiffness/Lameness: If your pet is limping, dragging a leg or seems unable to walk or stand correctly, something serious could be going on.
    

Notice how with all of these symptoms, cancer might be the culprit. Only your vet can make that diagnosis. If you notice any of the above or even if you’re just curious about your pet, don’t delay. Schedule an appointment with your vet right away. But whatever you do, make sure you schedule an appointment with Live.Love.Pet! so that we can pamper your pet and look out for any of the above. We love your pet just as you do and want only the best for your furry best friend. Call (808) 734-8282 today and the best is precisely what you’ll get during your best friend’s spaw day.

---