Frequently Asked Questions

Did You Know-

• Up to half of our pets over ten years old will develop cancer!

• Tumors can be benign (non-invasive and will not spread) or malignant (invasive with the potential to spread).

• Cancer is the leading cause of death in geriatric dogs and cats.

• Studies show that more than 70 percent of pet owners think of their pets as children. Cancer is a great health concern among pet owners, and 40 percent worry about their pets having cancer regardless of the age of their pets.

Ten Common Signs of Cancer in Small Animals-

• Abnormal swelling that persists or continues to grow

• Sores that do not heal

• Weight loss

• Loss of appetite

• Bleeding or discharge from any body opening

• Offensive odor

• Difficulty eating or swallowing

• Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina

• Persistent lameness or stiffness

• Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating

What does “Tumor Stage” mean-

• Tumor stage refers to ‘how far the cancer has spread’ within a patient. It is important for your oncologist to determine tumor stage in order to have the best medical information possible to provide optimal treatment recommendations for your pet.

What does “Tumor Grade” mean-

• Tumor grade is information obtained from the biopsy of your pet’s tumor. Your oncologist will look for tumor grade on a pathology report if it will aid in prognosis or treatment recommendations for patients. It often will! Tumor grade is often categorized as low grade, intermediate grade, or high grade.

What does “Metastasis” mean-

• Metastasis is the spread of cancer in locations “distant” from the primary tumor. Typically, these locations include lymph nodes that drain the primary tumor location or the lungs.