Many people are surprised to learn their pets can get very similar illnesses to ours. Diabetes, pancreatitis, epilepsy, emboli, heart disease and even asthma are all conditions that affect cats and dogs. Unfortunately they can also suffer from cancers.

Understanding the causes

One of the first questions vets are asked when owners are told their pet has cancer is 'What caused that?' This is a difficult and sometimes impossible question to answer. What we do
know is most cases of cancer are caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Is your pet at risk?

Certain breeds of dogs, such as Bernese Mountain dogs, and cats are more genetically prone to developing cancers than others. Rottweilers are prone to bone tumours and Scottish Terriers to bladder cancer. Having said this, it's important to realise that simply having the genetics doesn't mean cancer will eventuate. There may even be certain factors that you can control to minimise the risks.

Environmental factors

There are many environmental carcinogens that affect our pets. Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), kerosene heaters and exposure to burning coal are linked to cancer of the lungs, nose and mouth in dogs and cats. City dogs and those exposed to chemicals such as herbicides, paints, asbestos, and solvents
also have an increased risk of lymphoma.

So try to eliminate, as much as possible, your pet's exposure to these harmful agents.

Passive smoking

The impact of ETS appears to be very significant in causing oral squamous cell carcinoma and lymphoma in cats.

Australian Veterinary Oncology Specialist Dr Tony Moore says recent studies have shown that cats exposed to ETS are 1.6 to 2.4 times more likely to develop these two cancers.

Other links included feeding cats a high intake of canned cat food and a three-fold risk increase of oral squamous cell carcinoma was seen in cats who have worn flea collars.

Interestingly, those with a history of using flea shampoo were at a significantly lower risk.

Reducing Risks 

One of the simplest things you can do to help reduce the risk of tumours in your pet is to look at their nutrition.

Dr Moore recommends dog owners consider restricting their pets' daily kilojoule intake to maintain thin body weights throughout life and to supplement their diet with vegetables at least three times a week. In a study of dogs fed a 25 per cent restricted diet compared to a control group, the restricted dogs' life spans were significantly longer and the average age for cancer-related deaths was on average two years older than that of the control group. Dr Moore also explained that a recent study found green leafy and yellow-orange vegetables helped decrease the risk
of bladder cancer in genetically susceptible dogs.

For more pet advice from Dr Rachele Lowe, check out the latest issue of New Idea - on sale now!