| Cancer affects a significant percentage of canines. | | | | be on the look-out for cancer symptoms which are |
| Know the risk factors that include: genetics, hormone | | | | similar to those in humans. These include any |
| imbalances, diet, vaccinations, environmental toxins | | | | abnormal swelling that continues to grow, sores that |
| such as lawn chemicals, flea and tick dips, tobacco | | | | don't heal, weight loss, bleeding or discharge from |
| smoke to name a few. Nearly half of dogs over age | | | | any body opening, a reluctance to move or exercise, |
| 10 die of cancer. There are similarities between | | | | a loss of stamina or difficulty breathing, urinating or |
| canine and human cancers, but there are also | | | | defecating. Any sort of lameness in an older dog (but |
| differences. For example, dogs have 35 times as | | | | especially large breeds, which excludes our Shih Tzu |
| much skin cancer as humans, 4 times as many breast | | | | also), should be investigated, even though our Shih |
| tumors, 8 times as much bone cancer, and twice the | | | | Tzu is not included in that either as being of high risk |
| incidence of leukemia. Humans have 7 times as much | | | | by breed, it does not mean, this could not occur. |
| lung cancer as dogs and 13 times as much cancer of | | | | Subtle signs such as sleeping, more than usual, |
| the stomach and intestines.According to a Swedish | | | | refusing to play, or having less interest in social |
| study done in 1997, the breeds at highest risk for | | | | interaction, can be warning signs.Even though it would |
| cancer were: Boxers, Giant Schnauzers and Bernese | | | | seem at this time cancer is not a huge threat to our |
| Mountain Dogs, Irish Wolfhounds, Cocker spaniels and | | | | Shih Tzu, it is still good to be alert to any symptoms |
| Doberman Pinschers, Pomeranians, Newfoundlands, | | | | that may be warning signs of the disease.Connie |
| German Shepherd Dogs, Saint Bernards, Great Danes, | | | | Limon publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A |
| Greyhounds and Basset Hounds.Today, the most | | | | professional newsletter with a focus upon health and |
| common type of cancer in American dogs is skin | | | | wellness for you and your pets. Discounts on shih tzu |
| cancer followed by mammary cancer and | | | | puppies are offered to subscribers. Updates of |
| lymphosarcoma.Even though Shih Tzu is not among | | | | available puppies. |
| the breeds to be targeted for high risks, we can still | | | | |