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Just what is dog cancer? How do dogs get cancer? What are the symptoms of dog cancer? These are the questions I have because my little puppy is getting old now (14), and i want to know what to look out for. Here are some answers I found.

Dog cancer is really the same thing as cancer in humans. Cancer is the general name for a group ofmore than 100 diseases in which cells in a part of the body begin to grow out of control. Although there are many kinds of cancer, they all start because abnormal cells grow out of control. Untreated cancers can cause serious illness and even death.

We do not know how dogs (or people for that matter) get cancer most of the time. There are many types of cancer and many possible causes of cancer (chemicals in our environment, sun exposure, assorted viruses and infections). There are important genetic factors as well. Cancer starts with one or a small group of cells that have “gone wrong.” It appears that such cells arise in our bodies all the time and we have an assortment of natural mechanisms to destroy these cells before they get out of hand. Sometimes these cancer cells escape our natural mechanisms and cancer develops. It is important to realize that cancer is not contagious and that, as a pet owner, you should not feel that you caused this or brought it on your pet somehow.

There are many signs that can be associated with cancer. Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow, sores that do not heal, bleeding or discharge from any body opening, difficulty eating or swallowing, a persistent lameness, difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating, or persistent coughing are examples of specific signs which may arise. Weight loss, fevers, decreased appetite, and loss of stamina, though vague and non-specific, may also be suggestive of cancer. There are literally as many types of cancers as there are types of cells. It is not known why normal cells become cancerous and begin to divide and multiply out of control. Environmental factors, genetics, toxins, and other biological factors are all possible contributors.

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Cajun boy!