The rate of pets diagnosed with cancer in Australia has increased by almost 10,000 per year.
One in four dogs (and their dog lovers) will experience cancer in their life time and that increases to one in two for those aged over 10.
Cancer is a devastating diagnosis for a loved one, and that includes pets . Losing a pet to cancer is sadly not uncommon.
So what is causing the increased diagnosis of cancer in pets and what do we do when the dreaded C Word has been given to our precious fur baby?
Veterinary Oncologist Dr Peter Bennett from the University of Sydney explains that the jump in the number of pets diagnosed with cancer has to do with a combination of better diagnoses, longevity and awareness of diseases and cancers in our pets.
“The life expectancy of dogs and cats has probably increased at least 25% since I graduated back in the early 1980s,” he says.
“A cat’s life expectancy was 11 or 12 and that was an average age, as now it’s 15 or 16. We are much better at treating infection and disease and managing chronic disease so they live longer so the biggest risk for dogs and cats, like us, is age.”
What happens when your pet is diagnosed with cancer
Dr Bennett explains that the vast majority of Veterinary Oncology is not to actually cure the pet of their cancer, but more to control and manage the disease.
“In people, the prime aim is to cure the patient. For us it is to give the patient as long a period of good quality of life as possible, rather than necessarily trying to cure them,” he explains.
“There are some diseases in people, that yes they can cure them but they have to use very aggressive treatments and we don’t think that’s fair to subject our patients to that when they are not aware of why this is happening.”
Is treatment for a pet with cancer expensive?
Short answer, yes.
In fact, cancer treatment can cost anywhere between hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the type of cancer, and the treatment needed.
“Because many cancer treatments are not a silver bullet, the pet will need on-going treatment,” Pet Insurance Australia spokesperson Nadia Crighton says.
“This is when having pet insurance can seriously add years to the life of your beloved pet.”
Dr. Bennett agreed.
“For most people just knowing what is available makes it easier for them to make the right choice for their pet.”
For more information on pet insurance and how it can help with the cost of pet cancer treatments head to Pet Insurance Australia
How to prevent pet cancer
Pet insurance Australia shared a few steps you can take to help reduce the risk of cancer in your pet.
Keep your pet at their correct weight.
Neuter your female dog to prevent breast cancer.
Do not smoke around your pets.
Avoid high levels of exposure to pesticides and insecticides.
Keep white dogs and cats out of the sun. Consider using sunscreen and sunsuits and keep in well-shaded areas during the peak of the day.
National Pet Cancer Awareness Month will take place in November 2017.
