This is part 2 of a 3-part series:
Part 2: More early warning signs of cancer
Changes in bowel or bladder habits can indicate a disease. One of the most common types of feline cancer is gastrointestinal lymphosarcoma.
A common warning sign we see in feline patients with this cancer is diarrhea.
Both dogs and cats can develop bladder cancer. Blood in the urine or stool, straining to urinate or have a bowel movement, can be early warning signs that colon or anal sac cancer can be present. Walking a dog daily to observe changes in bowel habits is a great habit to start. When you are able to watch for changes on a daily basis, if there is a change it will be noted early. Scooping your cat’s litter box on a daily basis is also a great way to watch for bowel changes in feline patients.
Unexplained vomiting that does not resolve is another warning sign that can be observed in canine and feline patients. Occasional, self-limiting vomiting when something out of the ordinary is ingested is usually fine. When the vomiting continues for longer than a day or continues intermittently with no apparent reason, this is generally an indication that there is a disease process. Many different types of cancer will cause vomiting.
Coughing or difficulty breathing is another symptom that can occur when cancer is present. Lung cancer occurs in dogs and cats, just as it does in people. One of the first warning signs that we see with this type of cancer is coughing. If a pet has a cough that continues over a period of weeks and does not seem to be resolving it indicates that further investigation is needed.
Dr. Correa
Board Certified in Oncology
Animal Cancer Care Clinic
www.AnimalCancerCareClinic.com
Read more articles by Dr. Correa
Source: http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/pawshere/2012/03/15/watch-for-bathroom-habit-changes-in-pets/
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