Every November, we recognize National Pet Cancer Awareness Month to help pet parents understand cancer risks, early warning signs, and the importance of proactive veterinary care. Awareness empowers families to act early and support their pets' long-term health.

Pet Cancer Awareness Month: Early Diagnosis, Prevention, and Hope

Learn how to reduce pet anxiety during Halloween with veterinarian-approved tips. Help your dog or cat stay calm and happy when costumes, candy, and trick-or-treaters arrive.

How to Help Your Pet Stay Calm This Halloween

Limping is a common sign of discomfort in the bones or muscles of your dog, but it can have a variety of causes. In the article below, we will discuss some of the common causes and tips for your vet visit. It's always best to have your pet examined by a veterinarian if you notice Fido limping.

Why is My Dog Limping?

There are a few reasons our feline friends make us sneeze and wheeze. They produce something called the feline d1 protein, which is in their saliva, dander, and fur. This allergen is what we're thought to be allergic to. Many of the longer, fluffier-haired breeds of cats shed more often and along with their dander.

Best Cat Breeds For People With Allergies

Many dogs howl, and some breeds howl much more often than others. You might wonder why your dog howls. What triggers the howling? Why do some dogs seem to howl for no apparent reason? Some people think howling dogs are adorable, but some owners of dogs that howl frequently can be very annoyed with this behavior. 

Dog Howling: What Does It Mean?

Fri Apr 04 2025 01:24:22 GMT+0530 (India Standard Time)

Bluegrass Animal Hospital

about-us-page

our-history-section

our-teams-section

We are dedicated to providing the highest level of care along with friendly, compassionate service.

why-us-section

app-download-page

blogs-page

blogs-section

book-appointment-page

book-appointment-section

career-page

careers-section

forms-page

form-section

landing-page

contact-us-section

emergency-branches

faq-section

footer-section

hero-section

otto-widget-section

our-services-section

testimonials-section

vetstoria-widget-section

news-page

our-history-page

payment-info-page

services-page

service-page-section

team-page

teams-page-section

video-page

pixel_google

pixel_facebook

Header Cookie Consent - 671f33c5d8e9f7c6b5f082c9

cookie_settings_1750955345987

<button id="ot-sdk-btn" class="ot-sdk-show-settings">Cookie Settings</button>


cookie_list_1750955346272

cookie_67d7c894fce99306b735e5dc

cookie_67d1bf25f8bb382612f3cf44

cookie_67e99e7fdd3917d92899ad21

cookie_684016eb922db540aa8159e6

cookie_67ec3a2add3917d9289b626f

cookie_67ed773add3917d928a06ecf

cookie_67eee76e53dc857452efaaf2

cookie_68413d6a922db540aa817bab

cookie_67c8a77c79b033ef9b3c2375

cookie_67d19981f8bb382612f3bc68

cookie_67f011d853dc857452efe30b

cookie_67c9f69279b033ef9b3c548e

cookie_67f96c5103a946b407b4d0a9

cookie_68428972922db540aa819fcd

cookie_67f0273553dc857452eff88b

cookie_67c8ad2c79b033ef9b3c2dce

cookie_67f9852803a946b407b4f0e7

cookie_67f038f653dc857452f00623

cookie_67ca13c179b033ef9b3c68b9

cookie_67f03dd653dc857452f00d38

cookie_67bf559b61937f0b1e4a027c

cookie_67bf4bc961937f0b1e49fc9c

cookie_67c8984f79b033ef9b3c104b

cookie_67fa381703a946b407b52cab

cookie_67c893dc79b033ef9b3c0a70

cookie_67f576adc1d8d9891bd5c9e8

cookie_67f57ce9c1d8d9891bd5d3ec

cookie_67f5259bc1d8d9891bd5575d

cookie_67f9769803a946b407b4ded1

cookie_6842bffc922db540aa81ecd9

cookie_67fa1c6003a946b407b51318

cookie_67ec30aadd3917d9289b57d4

cookie_67f6af0d624d724379381419

cookie_67f6c9d2624d7243793826a7

cookie_67f97e5e03a946b407b4e760

cookie_689cb004b346c5a877c2c65b

cookie_67fa102303a946b407b50736

cookie_67ca0d2079b033ef9b3c6419

cookie_67f967d603a946b407b4cbb6

cookie_67c8862c79b033ef9b3bfd34

cookie_67f9501403a946b407b4aff9

cookie_67f8301003a946b407b43210

cookie_67f82c3b03a946b407b42c60

cookie_67f8287603a946b407b4257a

cookie_67f807c003a946b407b3f3d4

cookie_689cb4cb0f58ca5cfcecb609

cookie_68431aefd01f37094afa3f8f

cookie_67c4b7d0f7d6fd394e4cd97b

cookie_67c4ac97f7d6fd394e4cd412

cookie_6843be7ed01f37094afa5663

cookie_6843db73d01f37094afa6ab3

cookie_67c70d6b19ec7484a9e6dab1

cookie_684d99a78be622811e48b798

cookie_67f7fbc603a946b407b3e68f

cookie_67f7eb2a03a946b407b3d69b

cookie_67f8202303a946b407b41af8

cookie_67f56c48c1d8d9891bd5aa8d

cookie_684dab888be622811e48c3bb

cookie_67f2a81053dc857452f08e77

cookie_67f27bfc53dc857452f0752e

cookie_67f290d153dc857452f08278

cookie_684aa099d01f37094afc3efe

cookie_67c89ef779b033ef9b3c17a4

cookie_67c88e6379b033ef9b3c07d7

cookie_67f01fea53dc857452eff0f7

cookie_67f2664f53dc857452f068ba

cookie_67f1802453dc857452f04f9d

cookie_67c9a8cb79b033ef9b3c3abd

cookie_67d06d00f8bb382612f36b0b

cookie_67f56999c1d8d9891bd59c3f

cookie_67f15acd53dc857452f02af0

cookie_684c0c118be622811e486191

<h2 dir="auto"><strong>Why Pet Cancer Awareness Matters</strong></h2><p dir="auto">Cancer is one of the most common health challenges in dogs and cats. One in four dogs and one in five cats will face cancer in their lifetime. Routine wellness exams and preventative lab work play a key role in early identification, since many changes begin internally long before symptoms appear.</p><h2 dir="auto"><strong>Warning Signs to Watch For</strong></h2><p dir="auto">Contact your UVC veterinarian if you notice:</p><ul><li><p dir="auto">Lumps or bumps that change in size or shape</p></li><li><p dir="auto">Decreased appetite or energy</p></li><li><p dir="auto">Unexplained weight loss</p></li><li><p dir="auto">Increased thirst or urination</p></li><li><p dir="auto">Difficulty breathing, swallowing, or using the bathroom</p></li><li><p dir="auto">Behavioral changes</p></li><li><p dir="auto">Ongoing pain, stiffness, or limping</p></li></ul><p dir="auto">Even subtle changes can be meaningful. If your pet seems “off,” trust your instincts.</p><h2 dir="auto"><strong>Proactive Care Makes a Difference</strong></h2><p dir="auto">While not all cancers can be prevented, healthy habits and regular veterinary screening improve early identification and long-term health:</p><ul><li><p dir="auto">Annual or semiannual wellness exams</p></li><li><p dir="auto">Preventive lab testing</p></li><li><p dir="auto">Healthy weight management</p></li><li><p dir="auto">Regular physical activity</p></li><li><p dir="auto">Avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke and chemicals</p></li><li><p dir="auto">Protecting light-colored pets from excessive sun exposure</p></li></ul><h2 dir="auto"><strong>Senior Pets Require Extra Monitoring</strong></h2><p dir="auto">Cancer risk increases with age. UVC Hospitals recommend:</p><ul><li><p dir="auto">Twice-yearly exams and bloodwork</p></li><li><p dir="auto">Monitoring for new lumps, appetite changes, or weight loss</p></li><li><p dir="auto">Discussing additional screening or specialist care when appropriate</p></li></ul><p dir="auto">Early identification expands treatment options and supports quality of life.</p><h2 dir="auto"><strong>Treatment Options and Support</strong></h2><p dir="auto">If your pet is diagnosed with cancer, your UVC veterinary team is here to guide you. Treatment options may include:</p><ul><li><p dir="auto">Diagnostic imaging</p></li><li><p dir="auto">Surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation therapy (through referral partners)</p></li><li><p dir="auto">Pain management and nutritional support</p></li><li><p dir="auto">Ongoing monitoring and follow-up care</p></li></ul><p dir="auto">Many cases can be successfully managed, especially when identified early. Treatment options for pets continue to expand, and even cancers that cannot be cured can often be managed long-term as chronic conditions when the right therapy is initiated.</p><h2 dir="auto"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Cancer</strong></h2><p dir="auto"><strong>1. What are the most common signs of cancer in pets?</strong></p><p dir="auto">Lumps, weight loss, appetite changes, difficulty breathing, or persistent pain. Any lasting or unusual change should be evaluated.</p><p dir="auto"><strong>2. How is cancer diagnosed in dogs and cats?</strong></p><p dir="auto">Diagnosis often includes a physical exam, bloodwork, imaging such as X-rays or ultrasound, and sampling a lump through a needle aspirate or biopsy.</p><p dir="auto"><strong>3. Can pet cancer be treated or cured?</strong></p><p dir="auto">Some cancers can be cured with surgery. Others can be managed long term with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or supportive care.</p><p dir="auto"><strong>4. Which pets are at higher risk?</strong></p><p dir="auto">Senior pets, certain breeds, overweight pets, and those exposed to UV light or secondhand smoke. Older pets benefit most from twice-yearly screenings.</p><p dir="auto"><strong>5. When should I contact my veterinarian?</strong></p><p dir="auto">Any new lump, behavior change, appetite loss, or weight change should be checked promptly. Early evaluation leads to better outcomes.</p><p dir="auto"><strong>6. Are cancer treatments painful for pets?</strong></p><p dir="auto">Most pets tolerate cancer treatments well. Veterinary oncology focuses on maintaining comfort and quality of life, and side effects are generally much milder than in humans.</p><p dir="auto"><strong>7. Is chemotherapy safe for pets?</strong></p><p dir="auto">Yes. Chemotherapy protocols in pets prioritize comfort. Most pets experience little to no GI side effects. Because most pets have fur rather than hair, many do not lose their fur at all.</p><p dir="auto"><strong>8. How fast does cancer spread in pets?</strong></p><p dir="auto">It depends on the type. Some cancers grow slowly, while others spread quickly. Early identification gives your veterinarian more time to address the disease.</p><p dir="auto"><strong>9. How can I help prevent cancer in my pet?</strong></p><p dir="auto">Maintain a healthy weight, feed a balanced diet, limit chemical and smoke exposure, protect from sun damage, and schedule regular wellness exams and lab work.</p><p dir="auto"><strong>10. What should I expect if my pet is diagnosed with cancer?</strong></p><p dir="auto">Your veterinarian will explain diagnostic findings, outline treatment options, discuss prognosis, and may recommend referral to a veterinary oncologist or specialist for advanced care.</p><p dir="auto"></p>

If you're interested in working with an awesome team of compassionate people, please complete this form and submit your resume and cover letter.

bluegrassanimalhospital

Answers to Your Most Common Pet Care Questions

Sheet title

Pet Cancer Awareness Month: Early Diagnosis, Prevention, and Hope

Recent Blogs

FAQs