Cancer is one of the last things we want to think of when it comes to anyone we love, whether they be family, friends, or even our pets. However, it is important to know a little about pet cancer, since cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death in dogs and cats, and because early detection greatly increases the chances that your pet can be successfully treated. Read on to discover answers to common pet cancer questions.
What is cancer?
The basic biological characteristics of cancer are the same for our pets as they are for humans. As in humans, cancer can affect virtually any organ or system in an animal’s body, from the bladder to the blood. Healthy cells go through a cycle in which they grow and multiply as the body requires. Sometimes, abnormal cells can grow and divide at uncontrolled and unhealthy rates, resulting in tumors and masses. These growths can be benign (non-cancerous), or they can be malignant (cancerous). In other cases, cancer cells do not form masses, but they invade the blood, causing the cancer to travel throughout the body.