What common factors heighten the risk of cancer?
Second hand smoke has been linked to cancer formation in dogs and cats. Feline leukemia virus and the feline immunodeficiency virus have been linked to cancers in cats. There are certain breeds of dogs which are at a higher risk for certain types of cancer than other breeds. Regardless of the breed (mixed breeds included!), you should watch for the signs of cancer and bring any concerns you may have to the attention of your family veterinarian. Your veterinarian can then run the appropriate tests to determine if a diagnosis of cancer is correct. The most common cause of death of pets over 10 years of age is cancer. We recommend your family veterinarian perform a physical exam twice yearly, along with blood work and chest x-rays once your pet has reached the age of seven.
