Almost half of dogs over the age of 10 will develop cancer, the AVMA reports. The risk is even greater in cats, as one in five will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes, according to Colorado State University.
This insidious disease can affect all pets. Environmental stressors like tobacco smoke, pesticides, obesity, and so on cause cancer, VCA Hospitals reports. And just like with people, some cancers are more common than others.
Some purebred dogs have inherited tendencies to develop specific forms of cancer. Others develop over time as protective mechanisms are unable to cope with or repair excessive damage from external factors.
According to Northeast Veterinary Referral Hospital, Dog breeds that are at high risk of cancer are:
- Golden retriever
- German Shepherd
- Beagle
- Bernese mountain dog
- Rottweiler
- Boxer
- Great Dane
Pets today have a better chance of being successfully treated for cancer thanks to advances in early recognition, diagnosis and treatment, the AVMA reports, but many pets and their humans are yet impacted by this disease.
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