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