Cancer accounts for nearly 50% of pet deaths each year.
Dogs get cancer at basically the same rate as humans.
1 in 4 dogs die of cancer.
Cancer is the No. 1 natural cause of death in older dogs and cats.
Over 50 % of dogs 10 yrs. + will die of cancer.
Just like humans, cancer can occur in almost any part your dog’s body.
The cause of cancer in pets, just like people, is largely unknown.
(Courtesy of www.petcancerawareness.org)
Losing your beloved pet to cancer is never easy. I have traveled that road myself and that’s why this cause has become important to me.
I want you to meet Luke Robinson. Luke’s dog, Malcolm, a Great Pyranese, died in 2006 from osteosarcoma (bone cancer) after a nearly two year battle. When Malcolm died Luke made a promise to him that he would devote the next part of his life to help rid the world of this dreaded disease called cancer. Hence, the idea, www.2dogs2000miles.org, was created.
Luke (a.k.a ~ the Big Dog) and his two best friends, Murphy and Hudson. You can find more on Luke and the dogs at www.myspace.com/2dogs2000miles or www.2dogs2000miles.org
I have buddied up with Luke to support this cause. My goal is to create awareness of canine cancer since I , too, have lost a beloved dog, Shebe, to cancer and another dog of mine, Buddy, was also diagnosed with cancer. I am no stranger to this horrible disease. Shebe had cancer of the lymph glands and led a brief, but tough battle against it.
Luke’s mission is to walk from Austin to Boston which makes it an approximate 2000 mile trip. The purpose of this walk is to create awareness of canine cancer and to raise funds for a study in cancer of canines by the Animal Cancer Foundation and perhaps one day to find a cure. Luke is hoping to raise one million dollars for this worthy cause. He doesn’t want others to go through what he and Malcolm did. Luke also wants a study done for cats as well.
Why do I think this is a great cause? Cancer rates for dogs is epidemic. Part of the reason for this increase is that dogs are living longer. As stated at the beginning of this entry, over 50% of dogs 10yrs and older die from cancer. It’s great that dogs are living longer but more are apt to get cancer. 33% of cats die of cancer. No one knows why the difference between the companion pets.
Currently, Luke, Murphy and Hudson are in Arkansas. They have had a setback with Murphy as a lump was found on his leg. Prayers were answered as the test results came back negative for cancer. The veterinarians believe it is an injury or infection he picked up along the way. Murphy has been staying with different people along the way until he can resume walking which should be in a few weeks. According to Kathy, the organization’s volunteer chairperson, who stated in her email to me, the dogs are under a watchful eye from Pyranese expert and Canine Rehab and Massage Specialist, Jody Chiquoine of Fitter Critters. Jody is monitoring them on this journey.
This trip will be long and arduous but Luke is prepared for this journey as best as he can be. The original plan was to reach Boston by Christmas. I don’t know if that will happen with Murphy’s setback. Time will tell. What matters most is that they are safe and doing well.
Luke is creating awareness about canine cancer and I want to help him. As I stated I am in touch with his volunteer coordinator, Kathy, and I plan to meet with the three of them when they make their destination through Harrisburg . They’re not sure about the timeline as of this writing. But whenever it is I will be there helping to getting the word out.
There is no cure and the cause of cancer is basically unknown. What is also known is that some breeds are more genetically prone to cancer. The only preventative measure against reducing some types of cancer ~ mammary and testicular ~ is spaying and neutering your pet. By creating awareness, hopefully money can be raised to find that cure or the best preventative measures.
It was extremely heartbreaking for me to lose Shebe. Shebe belonged to my brother when he was in the Air Force. He was stationed over in Okinawa, Japan. She was given to me~ that was a day I couldn’t wait to happen. I loved her so much. She suffered from epilepsy but we coped. When she was diagnosed with cancer, I fell apart. The vets couldn’t save her and she died a few short months later as her body slowly became paralyzed over the course of several hours one day. The last part of her to become paralyzed were her ears which always stood up. They fell limp to her head. She was conscious the whole time. I was able to say my good-byes before doing the only humane thing a person could do.
Shebe had swollen glands behind her elbows, legs and jaws ~ one of the primary signs to look for in cancer of dogs.
Here are other warning signs of cancer:
Abnormal swelling that persists
Sores that do not heal
Loss of weight / Loss of appetite
Chronic Vomiting/Diarrhea
Unexplained bleeding from any body opening
Lameness
Offensive Odor
Difficulty breathing, urinating or defacating
An enlarging or changing lump
Sores that don’t heal
If your dog or cat shows any of the above signs, please get to a veternarian immediately. You could be saving your pet’s life.
Click here to learn about Luke and his cause http://www.youtube.com/v/wWCX-m_h4dQ&hl=en&rel=0″
I will be on Comcast Tonite with Janelle Wolfe this week to discuss this important topic. Her show is televised throughout the week at 6 PM, 7PM , 10PM and 11 PM on Ch. 21 on Comcast Cable. I hope you will tune into the program.