We are all worried about cancer.  If it seems like pet cancer is becoming more prevalent, consider how far we have come with preventing and treating everything else.  We take such good care of our pets, so they live longer, and yes, sometimes, they do get cancer.  The best thing we can do is take preventative measures, and be vigilant about monitoring our pets’ health.

Cancer is common in dogs, especially in older dogs.  Fifty percent of dogs over the age of 10 do develop cancer at some point.  Some breeds are more prone than others, e.g. Golden Retrievers, Boxers, and Bernese Mountain Dogs.  (Ask your breeder if cancer runs in the genes.  Knowledge is a good defense in itself!)

However, a diagnosis of cancer is not a death sentence for your dog.  The majority of dog cancers can be dealt with surgically.

Cancer is only half as common in cats as it is in dogs, but it does happen.  In fact, no pet is really safe from cancer.  Ferrets are unusually prone to it:  50-70% of ferrets over the age of 3 will develop cancer.

Cancer even occurs in snakes, though the cases are underreported, because often the symptoms don’t show themselves.  If you are a snake owner, you need to regularly examine your pet for lumps, bumps, swelling, and growths that look like moles.  Boa constrictors are especially prone to cancer.

One of the best things you can do for your pet is to spay or neuter him or her early in life, preferably before the first heat cycle.  This will go a long way toward preventing cancer.

Second, talk to your veterinarian about proper nutrition, especially if you are a ferret owner, as ferrets have unique nutritional needs.

If you are a cat owner, be sure to get your cat vaccinated against the feline leukemia virus.

If you have a pet with teeth, then good oral hygiene is also important in the prevention of cancer.

The most important advice is to be vigilant.  Check your pet for growths, for symptoms, and if you notice anything strange, take her to the vet immediately.  Also be sure to take your pet to the vet for regular check-ups.

Yes, cancer happens.  But if detected early, it can be treated, and your pet can enjoy a long, happy, cancer-free life.

We love our pets.  But sometimes, bad breath can make snuggling up to them a little unbearable.  But what to do about it?  It’s not like we can just subtly offer them a stick of minty gum and be done with it!

Many animals suffer from bad breath.  It is really quite natural, as unpleasant as it may be for us.  But that doesn’t mean we have to just live with it.  In fact, our animals will live longer and healthier lives if we take action against bad breath, because many of the things that cause your pet’s bad breath can cause more serious health problems later on.

The number one cause of bad breath in most animals, most of the time, is buildup of plaque and tartar.  Plaque is a thin layer of film that grows on all teeth, which can easily be removed with daily brushing.  If we miss some, however, plaque can harden into tarter.  You can not remove tarter with a toothbrush, and it is time to seek professional help.

Are you thinking, “Oh gross!” right now?  Let’s be honest — pet owners are heroes.  You are willing to buy your precious one an expensive winter coat, take her to a cat spa, fly her on a plane, buy him organic dog food, and spend thousands of dollars on veterinary care – but yet, many of you recoil at the thought of brushing your sweet one’s (not so sweet) teeth?

I was the same way.  But you will get used to it.  Your pet will adjust.  Most animals even learn to like it.  So, for starters, start brushing your pet’s teeth.  Today.  And do it every day.  Don’t use toothpaste designed for people though.  Your animal won’t be able to spit it out and could get very sick from swallowing it.  There are a plethora of choices out there for animal toothpastes.  Your veterinarian or pet store should be able to point you toward a species-specific, high quality toothpaste and toothbrush.

If you get in there and find something that you can’t brush off, it is likely tarter, and you need to seek professional help.  Most veterinarians offer complete dental care.  Many professional groomers will also do dental cleanings.

Do not assume that just because your pet chews on something hard, his teeth are clean.  This is a common misconception.  Throwing your dog a rawhide will not substitute for brushing his teeth.  Minty treats are all well and good, but are not a substitution for hygiene.

If, after all your toothpaste and elbow grease, your pet’s bad breath persists, there could be an underlying cause.  Your animal could be suffering from gingivitis (inflammation of gums) or periodontitis (inflammation of the ligaments and bones that support the teeth).  Your animal might also have a broken, decayed, or abscessed tooth.  She might even have a tumor.  Or, it could be something as simple as having something stuck in his mouth and decaying.  You will need to get your veterinarian to help treat these conditions.

Whatever you do, don’t ignore bad breath.  In light of all you do for your loved ones, why not add oral hygiene vigilance to the line up?  Your pet will be happier.  You will be happier.  You can resume snuggling.

Yes, it is possible, but it is also unlikely.  You needn’t worry about it.  You just need to take the proper precautions.  Prevention is the key.

Roundworms

Roundworms are the most common worms found in cats and dogs.  These are the large worms that look like spaghetti noodles.  The roundworms live in your pet’s intestines, and the eggs pass out in the feces.

In order for a human to get roundworms, he or she would have to ingest an egg.  This is uncommon, but does happen occasionally, and most cases involve children.  It is not uncommon for children to play outside with the dogs, and accidentally get some fecal matter on their hands, unbeknownst to the parents.

Prevention is the key.  Deworm your dog regularly.  Keep any area heavily trafficked by people free of pet waste.  And teach your children to wash their hands after they play with their pets, and always before they eat.

Tapeworms

Tapeworms are also common.  They are long, flat, and look like tape.  Tapeworms live in your pet’s intestines.  Pieces of the worm break off and can be found in your pet’s fecal matter.  These look like pieces of rice, and are sometimes still moving when you find them.

You cannot get a tapeworm from your dog directly.  In order to become infected with tapeworm, you would have to ingest a flea that had eaten tapeworm eggs.  This is very rare.

Your best prevention against tapeworm is aggressive flea control.  Also, do not allow children to play in potentially contaminated areas.

Heartworms

Heartworms are large worms that live in the hearts of animals, most commonly in dogs.  Dogs get heartworm by being bitten by an infected mosquito.

You cannot get heartworm from your pet, unless you have a pet mosquito.  The only way to contract heartworm is to be bitten by an infected mosquito.  Still, it is very rare, and when a human is infected by a heartworm, a single heartworm is usually found in the lung.

Prevention for humans?  Insect repellant!

Hookworms

Hookworms are tiny, thin worms that hook into the pet’s intestinal wall.  Hookworms cannot be seen with the naked eye.

You can get hookworms by coming in contact with fecal matter, or with soil that has been contaminated with fecal matter.  Hookworms can infect a person either through ingestion or by penetrating the skin.

To protect yourself and your children from hookworms, practice good hygiene, and do not walk barefoot in any areas where animals could have left waste, e.g. dog parks.

Whipworms

Whipworms are long, thin, whip-shaped worms that live in an animal’s colon.  Animals get whipworms by ingesting whipworm eggs, which are found in the fecal matter of other infected animals.

Humans can get whipworms by ingesting these eggs.  It is uncommon, but possible.

Prevent this rarity by practicing vigilant hygiene for both your human family and your pets.  If you have had a whipworm problem with your pets, make sure you clean up all pet waste from your property.  Try not to let your children play in an area that could be contaminated by your pets, or by anyone else’s, as whipworm eggs can live a long time.